Head of Transport - Booker Distribution

Booker; Hatfield; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK wholesaler is seeking a strategic Head of Transport to enhance logistics operations. In this role, you will oversee compliance, manage a £10m budget, and lead a team to ensure operational excellence and safety. With a focus on continuous improvement, you will also implement sustainability practices and support the transformation of transport services. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in transport management and is a strong leader.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Diversity and Inclusion programs

Health and safety initiatives

Qualifications

• Previous experience leading a Transport function/unit.
• Ability to build and manage a budget.
• Excellent operational knowledge in transport.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Transport function ensuring safety and legal compliance.
• Manage the Transport budget of £10m including supplier management.
• Oversee the Transport Audit Programme and dashboard.

Skills

Transport legislation knowledge

Leadership skills

Budgetary control

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

• 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

About Booker

Booker is the UK\'s leading food & drink wholesaler. We are privileged to serve independent retailers, caterers and small businesses, from locations across the country. We operate over 190 cash and carry branches, eight distribution centres, five Best Food Logistics sites, as well as six support centre locations across the UK.

Diversity & Inclusion

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) at Booker means that whoever you are and whatever your background, we always want you to feel represented and that you can be yourself at work. In short, we’re a place where Everyone’s Welcome.

Flexible working

We know life looks a little different for each of us. That’s why at Booker and Best, we always welcome conversations about flexible working. Some people are at the start of their careers, some want the freedom to do the things they love. Others are going through life-changing moments like becoming a carer, nearing retirement, adapting to parenthood, or something else. So, talk to us throughout your application about how we may be able to support you.

Accessibility

We’re proud that Booker is a Disability Confident Committed employer and we’re committed to providing a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process. For further information on the accessibility support you can expect, please contact [e-mail]

Important notes

Please note: We can only accept candidates over the age of 18 if the role requires working before 6:15 am or after 9:45 pm or involves working in areas such as the warehouse, beers, wines & spirits, and driving roles.

On the occasions where we have high volumes of applicants, some roles may close earlier than the advertised end date in order for us to manage all of the applicants appropriately. We will only be able to offer individual feedback to those candidates who attend an interview.

*Booker Group is part of Tesco plc, however, is operated separately from the core Tesco business and as such the benefits offered will be different from those offered at Tesco*

For more information about us please visit www.bookergroupjobs.co.uk