Senior Transport Operations Manager

ZipRecruiter; England; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading transport operation based in South Yorkshire seeks a Senior Transport Operations Manager to oversee operations and team development in a safety-focused environment. With responsibilities including driving operational excellence and ensuring compliance, this role promises to challenge and inspire the right candidate. A competitive salary, car allowance, and benefits including private healthcare and generous holiday entitlement make it an attractive opportunity.

Benefits

Car Allowance

Bonus Scheme

Private Medical Healthcare

25 days’ holiday (rising with service) + Bank Holidays

Generous staff discounts and perks

Pension scheme & life assurance

Healthcare cash plan

Cycle to work scheme

Tailored induction and ongoing personal development

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in large, complex transport operations.
• Experience managing Trade Union relationships is desirable.
• Flexibility to support a dynamic, 24/7 business.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day transport operations ensuring efficiency.
• Own site safety performance and promote a safe environment.
• Manage compliance with regulations and deliver on service KPIs.

Skills

Leadership

Operational Excellence

Commercial Awareness

Analytical Mindset

Team Development

Education

CPC Qualification

Job description

Job Description

Senior Transport Operations Manager

£60,000 - £70,000 + Car Allowance, Bonus & Package

South Yorkshire

Ready to lead a high-performing transport operation where people, safety, and operational excellence come first?

You’ll be stepping into a critical leadership role within a progressive, people-focused business where operational excellence and employee wellbeing go hand in hand. You’ll have the freedom to make a genuine, visible impact, backed by a collaborative leadership team and a culture that’s as ambitious as it is supportive.

We’re on the lookout for an experienced Senior Transport Operations Manager to take the reins of a fast-paced, large-scale transport operation supplying one of the UK’s best-loved names. If you thrive on driving results, developing people, and making complex operations run like clockwork, this is the one for you.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Lead the Transport Function: Oversee day-to-day transport operations through your team, ensuring cost-effective, safe, and efficient service delivery.
• Champion Safety & Wellbeing: Own site safety performance, ensuring a positive, safe, and inclusive working environment for all employees, agency workers, and subcontractors.
• Drive Operational Excellence: Deliver on service, compliance, and financial KPIs. Manage legal O-Licence compliance, EU Drivers’ Hours regulations, and peak planning.
• Inspire and Develop Your Team: Provide engaging leadership, motivating and developing your management team to drive continuous improvement and operational success.
• Plan for the Future: Tactical resource planning and strategic peak management, ensuring resilience and readiness for demand surges.
• Partner with Customers: Build strong relationships with key contacts, handling escalations and ensuring service excellence.
• Champion Continuous Improvement: Identify and deliver operational efficiencies, using data and insight to drive smarter, leaner, safer ways of working.

What You’ll Bring:

• Proven leadership in a large, complex transport operation — ideally FMCG or temperature-controlled.
• CPC Qualification (essential).
• A collaborative, people-first leadership style with a passion for team development.
• Strong commercial awareness and an analytical mindset.
• Experience managing Trade Union relationships (desirable).
• Flexibility to support a dynamic, 24/7 business.

What’s In It For You:

• £60,000 - £70,000 basic salary
• Car Allowance
• Bonus Scheme
• Private Medical Healthcare
• 25 days’ holiday (rising with service) + Bank Holidays
• Generous staff discounts and perks
• Pension scheme & life assurance
• Healthcare cash plan
• Cycle to work scheme
• Tailored induction and ongoing personal development