Head of Transport - Booker Distribution

Booker Group; Hatfield; Remote; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading wholesaler is looking for a Head of Transport to oversee the development and performance of transport operations. This national role includes managing a £10m budget and ensuring compliance with transport legislation while driving operational efficiency and sustainability. Ideal candidates will possess extensive transport operational knowledge and strong leadership skills.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of Transport legislation and regulations.
• Experience leading a transport function or unit.
• Proven ability to manage high volume operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Transport function ensuring health, safety, and compliance.
• Manage the Transport budget and supplier relationships.
• Drive continuous improvement and sustainability initiatives.

Skills

Transport Legislation Knowledge

Leadership Skills

Budgetary Control

Supplier Management

Safety Compliance

Job description

Overview

Are you a strategic leader with a passion for logistics and operational excellence? Booker, the UK’s leading wholesaler, is seeking a dynamic and experienced professional to take on the pivotal role of Head of Transport. This is a high-impact, national-level position with full responsibility for the development, performance, and maintenance of our transport fleet operations.

In this role, you will lead the transformation and continuous improvement of our transport services, ensuring they are efficient, reliable, and aligned with our business goals. You’ll be instrumental in maximising service quality, operational performance, and profitability—while driving innovation and sustainability across our fleet.

We’re looking for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, complex environment and can inspire teams to deliver outstanding results. If you’re ready to shape the future of transport at Booker and make a real difference, we’d love to hear from you.

As a National role, this can be based in any of our nine Distribution Centres.

Responsibilities

• Leading the Transport function so that it is Health, Safe & Legal including keeping up to date with all relevant legislative changes.
• Ensuring Driver & Fleet compliance for the Booker Group is always adhered to (circa 1800 vehicles), including the Operating Licence for the fleet and Quarterly compliance updates for the Executive committee.
• Management of the Transport Audit Programme for the Booker Group and associated dashboard to support the SLT.
• Management of the Insurance & reporting via the nominated provider
• Management of volume & responding to changes
• Accountability for the Primary Transport budget (£10m) including supplier management and dashboard reporting.
• Prepare and bring to tender contracts for services and equipment with Tesco Procurement.
• Operational accountability for Transport 3PL relationships.
• Agree & promote sustainability plan and support Group Net Zero Plan
• The role holder may be asked to undertake other duties, as required, which are not necessarily specified. It may be amended from time to time within the scope and general level of responsibility attached to this role.
• Booker is committed to ensuring it is a place where everyone can feel welcome and our Code of Business Conduct and Equal Opportunities policy’s sets out our expectations and commitment to this. All colleagues are expected to fully observe this.
• Taking care for the health and safety of yourself and others who may be affected by your actions and being responsible for ensuring all our operations are free from hazards and reported when identified.
• Lead your team, manage performance and progression, and support team development, ensuring effective succession plans are in place and maintained.
• Champion diversity and inclusion to ensure everyone feels welcome at Booker.
• Motivate your team with clear expectations and provide recognition.

Operational skills

• Full and up to date knowledge of Transport Legislation
• Previous experience leading a Transport function/unit
• Has managed high Volume operations
• Can demonstrate good Budgetary control
• Priority focus on Safety compliance
• Excellent Leadership skills
• A drive for KPI excellence

Experience relevant for this job

• Excellent Transport Operational knowledge
• Great understanding of Supplier ways of working
• Previous negotiation experience
• Ability to build a budget
• Understanding of DC operations
• Continuous improvement outlook