Hatchery Transport Manager: Fleet & Route Optimisation Lead

Avara Foods Ltd; Hereford; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

31 days holiday

6% pension

Private medical

Life assurance

Wellbeing resources

Job summary

Avara Foods seeks a Hatchery Transport Manager to lead and optimise transport operations for day-old chicks, eggs and hatchery supplies across UK hatcheries. You will drive safety, compliance and cost efficiency while managing drivers and schedules.

The role demands strong leadership, budget control, and knowledge of transport legislation, with the ability to travel across sites and respond to emergencies as needed.

Qualifications

• Experience managing a transport operation.
• CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) qualification.
• Strong understanding of transport legislation and fleet management.
• Experience leading and developing operational teams.
• Budget management and efficiency improvement track record.
• Excellent planning, organisation, and ability to work under pressure.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Competent in transport management systems and MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Ensure all transport operations are conducted safely and in accordance with relevant legislation.
• Investigate accidents, incidents, and near misses, implementing corrective actions where required.
• Promote driver wellbeing and safe driving practices.
• Support company sustainability and environmental initiatives.
• Review best practice and support the implementation across the hatcheries.
• Oversee daily transport activities across the hatchery.
• Develop and implement transport schedules to ensure timely delivery and collection of chicks, eggs, and hatchery supplies.
• Ensure transport resources are aligned with operational and customer requirements.
• Monitor fleet utilisation and optimise route planning to maximise efficiency and reduce costs.
• Manage transport disruptions and implement contingency plans to minimise operational impact.
• Maintain a safe, reliable, and roadworthy fleet.
• Schedule preventative maintenance, servicing, and repairs.
• Monitor fleet performance, fuel consumption, vehicle downtime, and operating costs.
• Support fleet replacement and capital investment planning.
• Work closely with external service providers and maintenance contractors.
• Ensure full compliance with transport legislation, including Operator licence obligations, Tachograph/driver hours compliance, Working Time Directive, Vehicle defect reporting, Maintenance records, Driver licence checks, Animal welfare during transport, and biosecurity protocols.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Planning & organizing

Problem solving

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence)

Tools

Transport management systems

MS Office

Job description

Avara Foods seeks a Hatchery Transport Manager to lead and optimise transport operations for day-old chicks, eggs and hatchery supplies across UK hatcheries. You will drive safety, compliance and cost efficiency while managing drivers and schedules.

The role demands strong leadership, budget control, and knowledge of transport legislation, with the ability to travel across sites and respond to emergencies as needed.