Transport Manager
BIDFRESH LIMITED
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
BIDFRESH LIMITED is recruiting a Transport Manager to lead the transport and fleet operations at our Stockport site. You will drive route planning, safety, and on-time deliveries while ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements and company policies.
Join a busy, standards-driven operation within a respected fresh foods business and help develop a high-performing transport team in a dynamic environment. This role emphasizes leadership, efficiency and customer service.
Qualifications
- Proven experience as Transport Manager or similar leadership role.
- Strong knowledge of transport legislation and fleet compliance.
- Experience managing drivers and transport teams in fast-paced operations.
- Experience with route planning, fleet optimisation and transport scheduling.
- Experience with budgeting, cost control and KPI reporting.
Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the transport department and fleet.
- Optimise routes, deliveries and resource utilisation.
- Monitor performance, address issues and drive improvements.
- Collaborate with warehouse, sales, customer service and HR teams.
- Attend operational meetings and act as senior transport lead when required.
- Ensure compliance with transport law, company procedures and records.
- Promote health, safety and risk management across the team.
Skills
Education
Job description
Location: Bredbury, Stockport, Greater Manchester
Make our journey, your journey
Are you an experienced Transport Manager with a background in logistics, fleet management, distribution or foodservice operations?
We're looking for a Transport Manager to lead our busy transport operation, making sure customer deliveries are completed safely, efficiently and on time while maintaining high standards of compliance, customer service and team performance.
As a key member of the site management team, you'll lead the transport department, develop a high-performing team and identify opportunities to improve service, safety and operational efficiency.
For over 50 years, R Noone & Son has supplied high-quality fresh fruit, vegetables, prepared produce and dry store ingredients to restaurants, universities and catering customers across the North West.
Based in Stockport, R Noone & Son is part of the wider Bidfresh group. This means you'll work within an established local business known for its personal service and fresh produce expertise, while benefiting from the strength, support and career opportunities of one of the UK’s leading fresh food businesses.
Transport and Logistics Operations
- Lead and manage all aspects of the transport department.
- Manage the company vehicle fleet, maximising vehicle availability and utilisation.
- Optimise route planning, delivery schedules and transport resources.
- Monitor transport performance and take action to address operational issues.
- Work closely with warehouse, inbound, outbound, sales, customer service, HR and operational teams.
- Attend operational meetings and act as the main point of contact for transport-related matters.
- Deputise for senior management when required.
- Manage compliance with transport legislation, company policies and operating procedures.
- Manage driver hours, Working Time Directive requirements and tachograph compliance.
- Maintain complete and accurate fleet, driver and transport records.
- Monitor driver holidays, sickness, attendance and associated records.
- Manage agency driver records and weekly driver hour calculations.
- Oversee vehicle inspections, defect reporting and planned maintenance schedules.
- Ensure transport audits are completed and any resulting actions are addressed.
- Maintain accurate compliance documentation and ensure records are audit-ready.
- Deliver consistently high customer service standards.
- Resolve delivery and customer service issues quickly and professionally.
- Build strong relationships with customers, suppliers and internal teams.
- Promote a right-first-time approach across all transport activities.
- Ensure the transport team represents R Noone & Son and Bidfresh professionally.
- Promote a strong culture of health, safety and employee wellbeing.
- Ensure Safe Systems of Work, risk assessments and company procedures are followed.
- Investigate accidents, incidents, near misses and vehicle damage.
- Identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent incidents from recurring.
- Ensure drivers receive appropriate training in health and safety, safe working practices, food safety and operational procedures.
- Support internal and external audits, ensuring compliance standards are maintained.
- Lead, motivate and develop drivers and transport colleagues.
- Complete inductions, training, coaching and performance reviews.
- Manage attendance, absence, wellbeing and employee performance.
- Handle disciplinary, grievance and investigation processes in line with company procedures.
- Set clear expectations and hold team members accountable for performance and conduct.
- Build a positive team culture focused on safety, teamwork and excellent service.
- Monitor employee engagement and implement improvements where required.
- Manage transport costs in line with agreed budgets.
- Monitor and report on transport KPIs and service levels.
- Analyse operational data and investigate the root causes of performance issues.
- Identify and implement improvements that reduce costs and increase efficiency.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives across the transport operation.
- Previous experience as a Transport Manager, Logistics Manager, Distribution Manager, Fleet Manager or in a similar transport leadership role.
- Experience managing drivers and transport teams within a fast-paced operation.
- Strong knowledge of transport legislation, fleet compliance and vehicle maintenance requirements.
- Knowledge of driver hours, the Working Time Directive and tachograph requirements.
- Experience with route planning, transport scheduling and fleet optimisation.
- Strong leadership, coaching and people management skills.
- Experience managing employee performance, attendance and wellbeing.
- Strong organisational, analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Experience managing budgets, operating costs and transport KPIs.
- Clear communication and strong stakeholder management skills.
- A practical, straightforward approach and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
- Transport Manager CPC qualification.
- Experience within fresh produce, foodservice, FMCG, wholesale or multi-drop distribution.
- Experience using transport planning, route optimisation or fleet management systems.
- Experience supporting transport compliance or operational audits.
To be every chef’s first choice for fresh ingredients.
To grow together with our customers as trusted partners, with responsibly sourced products.
- Focused: Make it happen and make it count.
- Responsive: React to different customer needs and priorities.
- Enthusiastic: Be passionate and share your knowledge.
- Straightforward: Keep things simple.
- Helpful: Take care of each other and create strong relationships.
As Transport Manager, you'll lead by example and bring these values to life through strong leadership, operational excellence, excellent customer service and a commitment to safety and compliance.
- Join an established local fresh produce business with a strong reputation across the North West.
- Be part of the wider Bidfresh family and a leading UK fresh food business.
- Play an important role within the site management team.
- Lead and develop a key operational department.
- Access ongoing support and career development opportunities.
We're Bidfresh. A fast growing team of fresh food experts in a collection of regional businesses across the UK. We're a big business with big ambitions. We succeed by focusing on the detail. By going the extra mile to find the best products. By building relationships with our partners. And by going further to support our teams to develop and grow. Our work is full of excitement, care and a big sense of achievement. And our 'Fresh' values guide the way. Make our journey, your journey, and take your first small steps towards a big career adventure.
We've created a benefits package that is designed to support you and reward your hard work. Every employee (subject to completion of probation) is automatically entitled to:
- Discounts: Save on Bidfresh products, high street shopping, travel, and cinema tickets
- Free parking: Free parking at our sites
- Health care cash plan: Access to a health care cash plan
- Confidential support and counselling: Access to free confidential support and counselling
- Pension scheme: Access to a pension scheme
- A minimum of 30 days holiday entitlement
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