Senior Transport Operator

TLP Recruitment; Felixstowe; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

TLP Recruitment is seeking an experienced Senior Transport Operator / Planner for our Felixstowe operation. The role requires coordinating container movements, balancing people, vehicles, customers and compliance to keep operations moving smoothly.

You will own day-to-day transport activity, plan fleet movements, coordinate drivers and liaise with ports and customers to optimise efficiency and cost, while driving continuous improvement in a busy UK port environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in container-based road transport operations.
• Felixstowe port knowledge desired.
• Understanding of HGV driver hours and working time regulations.
• Experience planning and optimizing HGV fleet movements.

Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate daily container movements.
• Allocate drivers and vehicles to maximise fleet utilisation.
• Manage operational challenges such as port delays and driver availability.
• Monitor container movements to keep deliveries on schedule.
• Ensure compliance with driver hours and road transport regulations.
• Use a Transport Management System to plan and track movements.
• Support and guide the transport team and share knowledge.
• Take ownership of issues and provide practical solutions.
• Build relationships with drivers and customers to maintain high service levels.
• Contribute to development of transport processes and procedures.

Skills

Container haulage

Transport operations

HGV fleet planning

Driver hours regs

Port knowledge

TMS experience

Problem solving

Communication skills

Fleet utilisation

Decision making

Meant to take ownership

Tools

TMS

Job description

UK container logistics specialist with over 20 years' experience moving the big stuff from A to B - without the drama.

Their secret? Smart planning, experienced people, a great fleet, and a shared determination to get the job done properly (with the occasional bacon roll thrown in for good measure).

We're now looking for an experienced Senior Transport Operator / Planner to join their Felixstowe operation.

This is a key role for someone who knows container transport inside out, understands the realities of operating around a busy UK port, and can balance people, vehicles, customers, compliance and cost to keep everything moving.

You’ll be trusted to take ownership of the day-to-day operation, making decisions, solving problems and helping drive continuous improvements across the transport function.

The Role

As Senior Transport Operator / Planner, you'll be responsible for planning and coordinating container movements while providing a senior level of operational support to the wider transport team.

You'll be working closely with drivers, customers, ports and internal teams to make sure every movement is planned efficiently, safely and commercially.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and coordination of daily container collections and deliveries
• Allocate HGV drivers and vehicles efficiently, maximising fleet utilisation and minimising empty mileage
• Manage the operational challenges that come with container transport, including port delays, vehicle issues, driver availability and changing customer requirements
• Monitor container movements and ensure deliveries and collections remain on scheduleLiaise confidently with Felixstowe and other UK ports, customers, hauliers and internal stakeholders
• Ensure all transport activity is carried out in line with driver hours, working time, road transport and company compliance requirements
• Monitor operational performance, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, service and cost
• Use transport management systems to plan, track and manage movements
• Support and guide the wider transport team, sharing knowledge and helping develop best practice
• Take ownership of operational issues and find practical solutions before they become bigger problems
• Build strong relationships with drivers and customers, providing a high level of communication and service
• Contribute to the ongoing development of transport processes and procedures

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who has genuine experience in container haulage and transport operations and is ready to take the next step into a senior role.

You’ll ideally have:

• Strong previous experience in container-based road transport operations — essential
• Excellent knowledge of UK container ports, with Felixstowe experience highly desirable
• A strong understanding of HGV transport operations, driver hours and working time regulations
• Experience planning and optimising HGV fleet movements
• Good knowledge of transport compliance and operational procedures
• Experience using a TMS or transport planning system
• Excellent organisational and problem-solving skills
• The confidence to make decisions and take ownership when things don't go to plan
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build relationships with drivers, customers and colleagues
• A commercially minded approach, with an understanding of the impact of fleet utilisation, empty mileage and operational efficiency
• The ability to work calmly under pressure in a fast-moving environment

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to join an established and growing container logistics business where your experience will genuinely make a difference.

You’ll have the autonomy to make decisions; improve the way we operate and play an important part in the continued success of the Felixstowe operation.

If you know your way around container haulage, can keep an HGV fleet moving efficiently, and are ready for a role with more responsibility and influence, we'd like to hear from you.