Contract Manager Transport Operations

WR Logistics; Thatcham; On-site; GBP 51,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

WR Logistics is seeking a Contract Manager to oversee two busy transport operations across Thatcham and Newport. The role involves hands-on leadership, balancing operational delivery with commercial responsibility, and maintaining strong customer relationships.

You will manage day-to-day operations, coach a team of up to 20 staff, and drive improvements in efficiency, costs, and service levels across both sites.

Qualifications

• Experience in contract management or transport operations leadership.
• Experience managing a busy transport operation with people and customers.
• Hands-on management style with attention to detail.
• Strong commercial awareness including budgets and costs.
• Excellent communication and relationships with customers and stakeholders.
• Proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Managing the daily transport operation across Thatcham and Newport.
• Maintaining a visible presence on-site, including regular visits to both locations.
• Leading and supporting a team of drivers and transport staff (up to 20 employees).
• Building strong working relationships with customers and acting as a key point of contact.
• Managing operational performance, service levels and customer expectations.
• Monitoring KPIs, costs and financial performance to ensure targets are achieved.
• Managing transport compliance, including drivers' hours, tachograph compliance, health & safety and operating licence requirements.
• Identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce costs and enhance service delivery.
• Managing subcontractors and suppliers where required.
• Coaching and developing team members to improve engagement and performance.

Skills

Contract management

Transport management

People management

Customer relationship

KPIs

Cost management

Job description

Contract Manager - Transport Operations

Location: Thatcham (RG19) & Newport (NP20) (Weekly visits to both sites)

Salary: £60,000

Working Hours: 48 hours per week Monday - Friday

The Opportunity

We are supporting a leading logistics business in the search for an experienced Contract Manager to take ownership of two busy transport operations based across Thatcham and Newport.

This is a hands-on operational leadership role, ideal for an experienced transport or contract management professional who enjoys being close to the operation, building strong customer relationships, and driving performance improvements.

You will have full responsibility for ensuring both sites operate safely, efficiently and profitably, while maintaining excellent service levels for key customers.

The Role

As Contract Manager, you will oversee day-to-day operations across both locations, providing visible leadership to drivers, office staff and customer contacts.

This role requires someone who is comfortable balancing operational delivery with commercial responsibility - someone who can manage people, resolve challenges, improve processes and build trusted relationships with customers.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Managing the daily transport operation across Thatcham and Newport.
• Maintaining a visible presence on-site, including regular visits to both locations.
• Leading and supporting a team of drivers and transport staff (up to 20 employees).
• Building strong working relationships with customers and acting as a key point of contact.
• Managing operational performance, service levels and customer expectations.
• Monitoring KPIs, costs and financial performance to ensure targets are achieved.
• Managing transport compliance, including drivers' hours, tachograph compliance, health & safety and operating licence requirements.
• Identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce costs and enhance service delivery.
• Managing subcontractors and suppliers where required.
• Coaching and developing team members to improve engagement and performance.

About You

We are looking for an experienced Transport Contract Manager or similar operational leader with a strong background in managing customer-focused logistics operations.

You will ideally have:

• Proven experience within contract management, transport management or a similar operational leadership role.
• Experience managing a busy transport operation with responsibility for people, customers and performance.
• A hands-on management style with the ability to get involved in the detail when required.
• Strong commercial awareness, including managing costs, budgets and operational performance.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• The confidence to work directly with customers and internal stakeholders.
• Experience managing drivers and operational teams.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement.