Contract Operations Manager

XPO Logistics, Inc.; Barnsley; Hybrid; GBP 46,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading logistics service provider is seeking a Contract Operations Manager in South Yorkshire. This role involves leading a high-profile distribution contract, ensuring operational excellence, and developing career opportunities. The ideal candidate will have proven transport leadership experience and a strong customer-first mindset. A salary of up to £55,000 per annum is offered along with various benefits including a company car and health insurance.

Benefits

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

High street discounts

Cycle to work scheme

Workplace pension

Private healthcare and dental cover

Qualifications

• Proven operational leadership experience in construction or a complex sector.
• Budget management expertise.
• Ability to influence and build senior-level relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational delivery of the contract, ensuring targets are met.
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives.
• Build strong relationships with customers and internal teams.
• Champion a high-performance culture.
• Ensure robust KPI and SLA management.

Skills

Operational leadership experience within transport

Strong commercial awareness

Customer-first mindset

Proactive leadership style

Ambition for personal growth

Job description

Overview

Logistics done differently.

Are you ready to take full ownership of a high-profile contract and drive operational excellence? XPO is looking for a Contract Operations Manager to lead a high-profile distribution contract, delivering outstanding results across Safety, Service, Budget Performance, and Continuous Improvement.

This is a field-based position operating across five key UK sites, both customer and XPO sites, requiring regular travel and hands-on leadership across the network. While the role spans five UK sites, the ideal candidate will primarily operate between South Yorkshire and Stoke-on-Trent and should therefore be based within reasonable proximity so as to be able to lead effectively.

This is a strategic leadership role with end-to-end accountability, offering the opportunity to shape the future of the contract while developing your own career. You’ll work closely with senior stakeholders, customers, and cross-functional teams to ensure delivery excellence and identify growth opportunities.

This role offers a clear path for career advancement, supported by a personalised development plan and senior sponsorship. You’ll be part of a forward-thinking team where your ideas and leadership will make a real impact.

Pay, benefits and more:

We’re looking to offer a salary of up to £55,000 per annum with company car/ car allowance. In addition, we offer 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays), as well as the option to buy additional days. You’ll have access to a variety of high street discounts, as well as a cycle to work scheme, a workplace pension, private healthcare and dental cover and many other perks.

What you’ll do on a typical day / key responsibilities:

• Lead the operational delivery of the contract, ensuring safety, service, and financial targets are consistently met.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to boost customer satisfaction and streamline operations
• Build strong relationships with customers and internal teams to align with strategic goals and uncover new opportunities.
• Champion a high-performance culture through effective leadership, communication, and people development.
• Ensure robust KPI and SLA management, with a focus on root cause analysis and sustainable corrective actions.

What you need to succeed at XPO:

• Proven operational leadership experience within transport, preferably in construction or a similarly complex sector
• Strong commercial awareness and budget management expertise.
• A customer-first mindset with the ability to influence and build senior-level relationships.
• A proactive, collaborative, and inspirational leadership style.
• Ambition for personal growth, with a commitment to continuous development and progression.

Be part of something big.

We strive to create an inclusive environment for all our colleagues, where everyone feels welcomed, empowered and where you can bring your true self to work. You may not feel you tick all of the boxes we have written above, so even if your experience doesn’t precisely match the job description but you feel you have the skills needed, please feel free to reach out to our recruitment team for an initial discussion. Your skills and passion set you apart and we welcome diverse people and perspectives at XPO. We encourage applications from people of all different backgrounds and identities. To empower you to do as well as possible during the recruitment process, if you require any changes or amendments to our application and interviews, please don’t hesitate to let us know.

XPO is a leading provider of world-class solutions to the most successful companies in the world. We help our customers manage their goods most efficiently using our technology and services. Our greatest strength is our global team – energetic, innovative people of all experience levels and talents who make XPO a great place to work.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed. Review XPO's candidate privacy statement here.