Senior Operations Manager

White Recruitment Limited; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

White Recruitment Limited is seeking an experienced Senior Operations Manager for the Portsmouth area to lead multiple departments within a busy transport and logistics operation. You will drive performance, ensure compliance and safety, and develop teams to deliver high‑quality service.

A strong background in haulage and fleet management, plus commercial acumen, are essential. Salary circa £80,000 and opportunities to grow with the business depending on experience.

Qualifications

• Strong background in UK haulage/transport/logistics operations.
• Experience managing multiple teams or departments.
• Understanding of fleet management and vehicle compliance.
• Knowledge of transport legislation and best practice.
• Strong commercial awareness and cost management.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills.
• Ability to make decisions and drive accountability.
• Driver CPC/ Transport Manager CPC beneficial but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Oversee multiple operational functions: customer service, warehousing and shipping.
• Lead and develop departmental managers and teams.
• Ensure transport activities are safe and compliant with legislation.
• Monitor fleet operations and vehicle compliance.
• Track performance, costs, and identify productivity opportunities.
• Foster cross-department collaboration and clear communication.
• Handle customer escalations and operational challenges.
• Review processes and systems for improvements.
• Maintain health and safety and operational procedures.
• Support operational change and business development.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Commercial awareness

Decision making

Strategic thinking

Job description

Senior Operations Manager
Location: Portsmouth area Salary: Circa £80,000, depending on experience

Are you an experienced operations leader with a strong background in transport, logistics or haulage? This is an opportunity to take ownership of a varied operational function, leading multiple teams and driving performance across a busy, service‐led environment.

We’re looking for a commercially minded Senior Operations Manager who understands the realities of running complex transport operations, developing people and maintaining high standards across service delivery, compliance and operational efficiency.

The Opportunity

You’ll take responsibility for several key operational departments, ensuring teams work effectively together to deliver a consistent, efficient and customer‐focused service.

This is a broad leadership role suited to someone who can balance the bigger operational picture with the practical demands of day‑to‑day transport and logistics.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee multiple operational functions, including customer service, warehousing and shipping.
• Lead, motivate and develop departmental managers and their teams, setting clear expectations and driving accountability.
• Ensure transport and logistics activities run efficiently, safely and in line with relevant legislation.
• Maintain a strong understanding of fleet operations, vehicle compliance and the practical challenges associated with road haulage.
• Monitor operational performance, service levels and costs, identifying opportunities to improve productivity and profitability.
• Build effective working relationships across departments, ensuring clear communication and joined‐up operations.
• Manage customer escalations and operational challenges, taking a proactive approach to resolving issues.
• Review processes, systems and working practices to identify improvements and support continued business development.
• Ensure appropriate standards are maintained across health and safety, compliance and operational procedures.
• Support and deliver operational change where needed, helping the business adapt and improve.

About You

You’ll be an established operations leader with the confidence to manage multiple departments and the experience to make informed decisions in a demanding transport environment.

• A strong background in UK haulage, transport or logistics operations.
• Experience managing multiple teams, departments or operational functions.
• A thorough understanding of road transport operations and the challenges of fleet management.
• Good knowledge of vehicle compliance, transport legislation and operational best practice.
• Strong commercial awareness, with the ability to manage costs and improve performance.
• Excellent leadership, communication and problem‑solving skills.
• The ability to take ownership, make decisions and drive accountability at all levels.
• A Driver CPC / Transport Manager CPC would be beneficial, but it is not essential for the right candidate. A strong practical understanding of haulage operations and truck compliance is more important.

Experience within a larger logistics or transport operation would be advantageous, particularly for someone accustomed to managing complex, multi‑departmental environments.

Tagged as: General Haulage, Haulage, Pallet network, transport manager