Transport Manager

Aspion; Coggeshall; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Aspion is seeking an experienced Transport Manager for its Colchester operation. You will take full ownership of a busy transport function, leading a team of planners and drivers, ensuring compliance with O‑Licence and transport legislation, and delivering high service levels across general haulage and pallet network activity.

The role requires CPC Transport Management qualification and a proven track record in national general haulage, with a commercial mindset to balance service, cost and

Qualifications

• CPC Transport Management Qualification required.
• Proven experience as a Transport Manager in a national fleet.
• Strong background in general haulage and pallet network operations.
• Experience leading transport teams including planners and drivers.
• Commercial mindset balancing service, cost and profitability.
• Sound knowledge of national transport operations and compliance.
• Ability to negotiate haulier rates and manage third‑party relationships.
• Strong customer service and stakeholder management skills.
• Decisive under pressure and able to meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Full day‑to‑day management of transport operations.
• Lead, coach and develop planners and transport staff.
• Manage driver performance and compliance.
• Ensure O‑Licence, driver hours and transport legislation compliance.
• Oversee national route planning and pallet network operations.
• Own transport KPIs, service levels and performance.
• Make commercial decisions on fleet utilisation and backloads.
• Manage relationships with hauliers and 3PL partners.
• Negotiate haulier rates and monitor third‑party performance.
• Oversee planning systems and transport technology.

Skills

Team leadership

Driver hours compliance

Haulier management

Negotiation

Commercial mindset

Customer service

Decision making

Education

CPC Transport Management Qualification

Job description

Transport Manager

General Haulage & Pallet Network

Colchester, Essex

£40,000 - £50,000 (depending on experience)

Monday - Friday, Days

A leading logistics business is seeking an experienced Transport Manager to join its Colchester operation. This is a fantastic opportunity for a strong transport professional to take full ownership of a busy, fast‑paced transport function within a general haulage and pallet network environment.

This role is ideal for a hands‑on Transport Manager who can lead people, drive compliance, optimise fleet performance and deliver high service levels across a mixed operation including general haulage, groupage, tramping and pallet network activity.

The Transport Manager will be responsible for the overall management of transport operations, ensuring legal compliance, operational efficiency and commercial performance, while developing a high‑performing team of planners and drivers.

Candidate Requirements

• CPC Transport Management Qualification
• Proven experience as a Transport Manager within a national general haulage fleet
• Strong background in general haulage and/or pallet network operations
• Experience managing transport teams, including planners and drivers
• A commercial mindset with the ability to balance service, cost and profitability
• Sound knowledge of national transport operations, tramping and backload optimisation
• Strong understanding of transport compliance, driver hours and fleet management
• Ability to negotiate and manage third‑party haulier relationships and rates
• Strong customer service and stakeholder management skills
• Confident decision‑maker, able to perform under pressure and meet tight deadlines

Duties and Responsibilities

• Full responsibility for the day‑to‑day management of transport operations
• Leading, coaching and developing a team of planners and transport staff
• Managing driver performance, compliance, and engagement
• Ensuring full compliance with O‑Licence, driver hours, and transport legislation
• Overseeing national route planning, inbound and outbound flows, and pallet network operations
• Ownership of transport KPIs, service levels and operational performance
• Making commercial decisions on fleet utilisation, ad‑hoc pricing and backload opportunities
• Managing and developing relationships with third‑party hauliers and 3PL partners
• Negotiating haulier rates and monitoring third‑party performance
• Overseeing planning systems and transport technology (currently Sterling)
• Monitoring fleet performance using tracking and telematics systems
• Handling customer escalations and ensuring critical service KPIs are achieved
• Driving continuous improvement across the general haulage and pallet network operation

If you have Transport Manager experience and would like to be considered for this opportunity, please apply via the link.