Senior Transport Manager / 60k-70k

VANRATH; Northern Ireland; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruiting agency is assisting in hiring a Senior Transport Planning Manager to lead transport and despatch operations across the UK and Ireland. This role involves ensuring compliance, overseeing budgets, and managing a high-performing team. Candidates should have strong experience in logistics leadership and knowledge of UK/ROI transport law. Competitive salary and leadership opportunities are offered.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Opportunity to shape logistics strategy

Collaborative team environment

Qualifications

• Proven senior-level experience in transport/logistics & despatch leadership.
• CPC qualified with strong working knowledge of UK/ROI transport law.
• Skilled in multi-site operations and cost control.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop Transport & Despatch teams across sites.
• Ensure legal compliance and operational excellence in transport operations.
• Manage subcontractor performance and logistics strategy across UK & ROI.

Skills

Transport/logistics leadership

Knowledge of UK/ROI transport law

Budget management

Stakeholder engagement

Data-driven decision making

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

Overview

VANRATH are delighted to be assisting a major client with the recruitment of an experienced Senior Transport Planning Manager to join an experienced and dynamic team based in Antrim.

Head of Transport & Despatch

Location: UK & ROI | Level: Senior Leadership

£60-70k DOE / 37.5 hours (8-5 M-T, 8-1:30 Fridays) flexibility given on start/finish times.

What the Role Covers

We're seeking a strategic and hands-on leader to head our Transport and Despatch operations across the UK and Ireland. This role is critical in ensuring legal compliance, operational excellence, and on-time delivery, while shaping the future of our logistics strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

• Lead and develop Transport & Despatch teams across sites.
• Define and execute departmental strategy aligned with business goals.
• Drive KPIs (OTIF, cost, compliance, safety) and a culture of performance and continuous improvement.

Transport Operations

• Ensure legal, compliant, and efficient transport operations across UK & ROI.
• Act as named CPC holder; oversee operator licence compliance (NI & UK).
• Manage full vehicle lifecycle: procurement, utilisation, maintenance, disposal.
• Oversee driver compliance (CPC, licence checks, tachographs, WTD).
• Control transport budgets and drive cost efficiencies.
• Manage subcontractor performance and cross-channel shipping operations (NI-GB).

Despatch Operations

• Ensure accurate, on-time despatch of finished goods to customers, sites, and branches.
• Align despatch with production and planning for optimal flow.
• Oversee task allocation, training, and performance of operatives, loaders, and forklift drivers.
• Maintain rigorous quality standards, despatch records, and ERP/MRP data accuracy.
• Ensure safe handling and loading of fragile items (glass, frames).
• Lead support sub-functions: glazing, frame prep, glass protection.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Production, QC, Customer Services, Credit Control, HR, and H&S for seamless operations.
• Coordinate with transport planners to optimise routing and delivery.
• Bridge communication between Antrim and Lancaster operations.

About You

• Proven senior-level experience in transport/logistics & despatch leadership.
• Strong working knowledge of UK/ROI transport law - CPC qualified.
• Skilled in multi-site operations, budget management, and cost control.
• Track record of building high-performing teams and driving operational excellence.
• ERP/MRP proficient with data-driven decision making.
• Excellent stakeholder, planning, and communication skills.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary + benefits.
• A key leadership role with national impact.
• Opportunity to shape logistics strategy across UK & Ireland.
• Supportive, collaborative team environment.

For more information on this role please contact Phil Doherty @ VANRATH