Transport Manager

Whistl Ltd; Bristol; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A logistics solutions provider is seeking a Transport Manager to oversee its Bristol depot, ensuring efficient and compliant transport services. The ideal candidate will have at least 3 years of experience in a transport office, excellent leadership and communication skills, and a Transport Manager CPC. Responsibilities include resource planning, team management, compliance adherence, and cost management. This full-time role offers a range of benefits and requires 40 hours per week, with flexibility to support a 24-hour operation.

Benefits

Annual leave enhanced with long service

Company Pension

Long service rewards

Health cash plan

Life assurance scheme

Critical Illness cover

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years' experience managing a busy traffic/transport office.
• Experience with telematics/tracking systems.
• Ability to interpret financial and performance data for improvements.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Plan daily resources across the network based on forecasts.
• Recruit and onboard drivers and transport support staff.
• Manage depot profit and loss and monitor spend against forecasts.
• Promote a culture of safety and compliance within the team.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives in transport operations.

Skills

Managing transport operations

Data analysis

Stakeholder influence

Organizational skills

Communication

Education

Transport Manager Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) - National or equivalent

Tools

MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint)

Job description

We're looking for a Transport Manager to oversee our Bristol depot, delivering a safe, efficient, and compliant transport service that consistently meets company SLAs.

This role is perfect for someone with strong leadership skills, a sharp eye for operational performance, and a passion for driving continuous improvement. You'll manage people, vehicles, budgets, and compliance while ensuring our customers receive the highest quality service.

About the Role

Key Responsibilities

• Process Management: Plan daily resources across the network in line with volume forecasts, ensuring all deliveries and collections are completed on time and in line with procedures. Support van fleet management in collaboration with central planning and maintain vehicles in compliance with company and O Licence requirements. Analyse data and volume forecasts to optimise resources and performance, collate and interpret performance data, and provide insights to inform improvements. Build strong relationships with internal teams, clients, and service providers.
• Team Leadership & Management: Recruit and onboard drivers and transport support staff; ensure temporary staff undergo pre-employment checks and training. Manage attendance, conduct, and performance of staff, including setting objectives, reviewing performance, and addressing issues in line with company policies. Work closely with HR on all people-related matters. Communicate effectively with the team through daily/weekly meetings and visual performance updates to promote engagement, motivation, and professional development within the team.
• Cost Management: Manage depot profit and loss, monitor spend against forecasts, and implement cost-saving initiatives.
• Legal & Regulatory Compliance: Promote a culture of safety, quality, and compliance across the team; report, investigate, and follow up on accidents and incidents in collaboration with Health & Safety and Security teams. Maintain compliance with Mail Integrity Code, Dangerous Goods regulations, Data Protection, and other legal requirements, and ensure driving staff comply with driving hours, working time directives, and all relevant road regulations. Deploy and monitor security policies in transport, liaising with the Head of Security where required.
• Change Management: Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the transport team, communicating and managing change effectively by providing solutions and collaborating with other departments.

Benefits

• Annual leave enhanced with long service.
• Company Pension.
• Long service rewards: both financial and leave-based.
• Health cash plan.
• Life assurance scheme.
• Critical Illness cover.
• Access to our prestige benefits and rewards portal.
• Career development opportunities.
• Access to a well-established Employee Assistance Programme provider.

In the Transport Manager role, you'll work 40 hours per week, with flexibility required to support a 24‑hour operation and assist at other locations when needed.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years' experience managing a busy traffic/transport office, including experience with telematics/tracking systems.
• Experience interpreting complex financial and performance data to identify opportunities and recommend improvements.
• Experience managing teams to achieve daily and weekly operational targets with excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Highly organised; able to prioritise workloads and manage conflicting deadlines.
• Proficient in MS Office, including Excel and PowerPoint for data analysis and presentations.
• Transport Manager Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) - National or equivalent.
• Full driving licence (HGV licence advantageous).

Availability Requirements