Transport Manager

Bidfresh; Greater Manchester; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Bidfresh is seeking an experienced Transport Manager to lead the transport team and manage all aspects of daily transport operations. You will focus on service excellence, build strong relationships with customers and suppliers, and drive continuous improvement in route planning and fleet utilisation.

The role requires strong leadership, organisational skills and a proactive approach to safety, compliance and cost control.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership and people management abilities.
• Strong organisational skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent relationship-building and communication at all levels.
• Experience in maintaining company vehicles and equipment and improving efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the transport department and team.
• Oversee daily transport operations ensuring safe, timely deliveries.
• Manage fleet utilisation and route efficiency.
• Plan routes and schedules using planning systems.
• Coordinate with warehouse, sales, customer service, HR and other teams.
• Attend operational meetings and act as a point of contact for transport matters.
• Deputise for senior management when required.
• Deliver excellent customer service and build relationships with customers and suppliers.
• Maintain fleet compliance, records and inspections.
• Promote health, safety and risk management across the team.
• Lead inductions, training and performance reviews.

Skills

Leadership

Organisation

Attention to detail

Relationship building

Communication

Budgeting

Tools

Planning systems

Job description

Make our journey, your journey

To be every chef’s first choice for fresh ingredients is the vision and passion of everyone who works here. And our journey to become the natural first choice means we have to have the best people in the right roles doing a great job every day. As a Transport Manager, you’ll lead our daily transport activities. Focusing on operational and service excellence, you’ll create and maintain strong relationships with our portfolio of existing businesses to support our future growth. This is a role where fresh thinking and attention to detail will deliver results and where people skills are key to success.

About the role

This role balances excellent communication, passionate leadership, strong organisation and focused ambition. As a key member of site management, you’ll lead the transport team to consistently exceed customer and business expectations. This is a role focused on team and personal growth. And your enthusiasm to succeed will find a natural home in a business that thrives on shared achievement. If you can build relationships, spot opportunities, identify issues and drive team success, talk to us.

Skills and experience

You’re a blend of enthusiastic leader and thorough organiser. You have a keen eye for detail and your passionate, straightforward approach and high standards will lead the team to success. Ideally, you have experience of maintaining company vehicles and equipment and maximising their efficiency, working within strict policies and procedures, managing budgets and exceeding targets. Your relationship building skills are first class and you communicate clearly at all levels. And you know that the relationships you build will be vital in helping you lead your team, build trust with our customers and identify growth opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Management

• Lead and manage all aspects of the transport department.
• Oversee daily transport operations to ensure customer deliveries are completed safely, efficiently, and on time.
• Manage a fleet of company vehicles, ensuring maximum vehicle utilisation and route efficiency.
• Optimise route planning and transport schedules using planning and distribution systems.
• Coordinate effectively with warehouse, inbound, outbound, sales, customer service, HR, and operational teams.
• Attend operational meetings and act as a key point of contact for transport-related matters.
• Deputise for senior management when required.

Customer Service

• Deliver exceptional customer service standards at all times.
• Resolve customer service issues promptly and professionally.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders.
• Drive a "right first time" culture across all transport activities.

Compliance & Fleet Management

• Maintain complete fleet records in line with company policy and legal requirements.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant transport legislation and company policies.
• Monitor and manage driver hours, Working Time Directive (WTD), holidays, sickness, and associated records.
• Manage agency driver records and weekly driver hour calculations.
• Ensure all vehicle inspections, defect reporting, maintenance schedules, and transport audits are completed and actioned.
• Maintain accurate transport and compliance documentation.

Health, Safety & Risk Management

• Promote a strong culture of health, safety, and employee wellbeing.
• Ensure all Safe Systems of Work (SSOW), risk assessments, and company procedures are implemented effectively.
• Conduct investigations into accidents, incidents, near misses, and vehicle damage.
• Implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Ensure all drivers receive appropriate training in health & safety, safe working practices, food safety, and operational procedures.
• Support internal and external audits and ensure compliance standards are maintained.

People Management

• Lead, motivate, and develop the transport team to achieve high performance and engagement.
• Conduct inductions, training, coaching, and performance reviews.
• Manage attendance, absence, wellbeing, and employee performance.
• Handle disciplinary, grievance, and investigation processes in accordance with company procedures.
• Foster a positive team culture focused on accountability, teamwork, and service excellence.
• Monitor morale and employee engagement, implementing improvements where required.

Financial & Performance Management

• Manage transport costs in line with agreed budgets.
• Monitor and report on transport KPIs.
• Identify and implement efficiency improvements to reduce operating costs.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across the transport operation.
• Analyse operational data and investigate root causes of performance issues.