Operations Manager

Serve Talent; Thurrock; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

31 days holiday including bank holiday

No weekends

Job summary

Serve Talent is seeking an Operations Manager for the West Thurrock site to run day-to-day transport operations, ensuring chemical deliveries go out safely, on time and in full, while leading the driver team.

With experience in the chemical sector, you will plan daily work, optimise routes, support audits and KPI tracking, and ensure compliance with Working Time Directive, tachographs, ADR, and O-licence requirements.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Transport Supervisor or Assistant Transport Manager.
• Strong people management skills.
• Good working knowledge of drivers' hours, WTD, tachograph and O-licence compliance.
• Organised, hands-on and able to make decisions under pressure.
• Confident with IT systems and Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Run day-to-day transport operations and customer service queries; plan and allocate daily work to meet customer requirements and optimise fleet use.
• Review routes and fuel efficiency to keep operation cost-effective and support continuous improvement.
• Assist Transport Managers with audits, KPIs and improvements; deputise in their absence.
• Supervise, support and manage HGV drivers, including inductions, absence and return-to-work conversations; carry out driver investigations and support disciplinary processes.
• Monitor driver and fleet performance using telematics and TMS systems such as Samsara and Qargo.
• Ensure ADR compliance for dangerous goods movements, including documentation, PPE and equipment; manage vehicle defects and maintenance; report incidents and implement corrective actions.

Skills

Transport supervision

People management

WTD compliance

Decision making

MS Office

Job description

Operations Manager

Job Type: Full Time, Permanent

Location: West Thurrock, Essex

Working Hours: Monday - Friday, 07:00 - 16:00 (45 hours per week)

Salary: £37,000 - £42,000 per annum, depending on experience

Benefits

• 31 days' holiday including bank holidays.
• Monday to Friday days, no weekends.

The Role - Operations Manager

To run day-to-day transport operations at the West Thurrock site, making sure chemical deliveries go out safely, on time and in full, managing the driver team and keeping every driver and vehicle compliant.

The role would suit an experienced Transport Supervisor ready to step into management, or an Assistant Transport Manager looking for a new challenge in the chemical sector.

Operations & Planning - Operations Manager

You will act as the first point of contact for daily transport operations and customer service queries. You will plan and allocate daily work so the delivery plan meets customer requirements and makes best use of the fleet.

You will review routes and fuel efficiency to keep the operation cost-effective. You will also support the Transport Managers with audits, KPIs and continuous improvement, and deputise in their absence.

Driver Management - Operations Manager

You will supervise, support and manage HGV drivers, including briefings, inductions, absence and return-to-work conversations. You will carry out driver investigations and support disciplinary and performance processes.

You will monitor driver and fleet performance using telematics and TMS systems such as Samsara and Qargo.

Compliance & Safety - Operations Manager

You will make sure drivers work within drivers' hours, Working Time Directive and tachograph rules, reviewing infringements and acting on them. You will ensure ADR compliance for all dangerous goods movements, including documentation, PPE and vehicle equipment.

You will manage vehicle defects, maintenance schedules and roadworthiness in line with O-licence undertakings. You will also report and investigate incidents, near misses and customer complaints, and put corrective actions in place.

Essential Skills and Experience - Operations Manager

• Proven experience as a Transport Supervisor or Assistant Transport Manager.
• Strong people management skills.
• Good working knowledge of drivers' hours, WTD, tachograph and O-licencecompliance.
• Organised, hands-on and able to make decisions under pressure.
• Confident with IT systems and Microsoft Office.

Preferred Skills and Experience - Operations Manager

• ADR experience.
• Tanker experience.
• Experience handling drivers.
• Fleet monitoring experience in Samsara and/or Qargo.