Transport Operations Director

McCulla Ireland Limited; Lisburn; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading logistics provider in Northern Ireland is seeking a Transport Operations Director to lead transport operations across the UK and Ireland. This role emphasizes strategic leadership, operational excellence, and compliance with transport regulations. The successful candidate will manage a large team, oversee fleet strategies, and drive continuous improvement. A competitive salary and benefits, including a performance-related bonus scheme and private health care, are offered. The closing date for applications is December 29, 2025.

Benefits

Highly competitive salary package

Performance related bonus scheme

Company car

Private Health Care & Travel Insurance

Matched pension contribution

Additional Annual Leave

Life & death in service insurance

Qualifications

• Senior management experience in transport operations is essential.
• Proven track record in leading large transport teams in the UK & Ireland.
• Deep knowledge of transport regulations and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead transport operations, ensuring compliance and operational excellence.
• Develop a transport strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Manage the transport budget and control costs effectively.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder management

Sustainability knowledge

Transport regulations knowledge

Team management

Education

CPC in Transport Management

ILM Level 7 or equivalent

Tools

Transport Management Systems (TMS)

Telematics

Route optimisation tools

Job description

Job Description

Transport Operations Director

With over 55 years’ experience in the logistics industry McCulla Ireland are one of the country’s leading providers of ambient, chilled and frozen logistics solutions throughout Ireland, the United Kingdom and Europe.

We currently have Operating Centres across Northern Ireland and Ireland, with further plans for expansion. McCulla has over 300 employees working across our Transport, Warehousing, Customs and Green Bioenergy Operations. There is an ever-growing modern fleet consisting of over 120 vehicles and 200 trailers operating our just in time service with environmental sustainability at the forefront of everything we do and making us unique in the market for our customers.

The Role

The Transport Operations Director will play a key role in shaping the future of the McCulla Transport business, as we continue to maximise the current operations and expand for future growth. As Transport Operations Director you will provide strategic leadership, operational excellence, and commercial oversight for all transport activities across the UK & Ireland. You will ensure safe, compliant, efficient, and customer-focused transport operations while driving continuous improvement, network optimisation, and cost-effectiveness.

About The Role

Developing and delivering a transport strategy aligned to the overall business objectives for the regions.

Lead transformation initiatives to optimise the transport network, improve service performance, and reduce operational costs.

Forecasting of future capacity requirements and identifying investment or capability needs across the department..

Overseeing the daily performance of all transport operations, ensuring KPIs and SLAs are achieved.

Ensuring full compliance with transport legislation regulatory frameworks, and safety standards.

Manage fleet strategy, including procurement, utilisation, maintenance, and our continued sustainability initiatives.

Implement best-in-class routing, planning, and transport management systems to optimise performance.

Leading, managing and motivating the transport team to deliver on the strategic and operational objectives. Fostering a high-performance culture focused on accountability, safety, and customer service.

Ownership of the transport budget for the region, ensuring cost control, accurate forecasting, and financial performance.

Lead commercial evaluations for strategic transport decisions including outsourcing, partnerships, and supplier selection.

Support the bid, tender, and customer solutions process with transport expertise and cost modelling in conjunction with our commercial team.

You will drive innovation through digital tools, automation, telematics, and real-time visibility solutions.

Lead our sustainability and carbon-reduction projects within the transport function.

Build strong relationships with key customers, suppliers, regulatory bodies, and internal stakeholders.

Represent the transport function at senior leadership forums.

Act as the point of escalation for significant service issues or operational disruptions.

Required Criteria

• Senior management or director-level experience in transport operations within a complex, multi-site environment.
• Proven track record of leading large transport teams across the UK & Ireland.
• Deep knowledge of UK & Irish transport regulations, road safety standards, and O-licence compliance.
• Demonstrable experience with cost control, fleet optimisation, and strategic planning.
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience with transport management systems (TMS), telematics, and route optimisation tools.
• Professional qualifications such as CPC in Transport Management, ILM Level 7, or equivalent.
• Experience driving sustainability and alternative-fuel fleet strategies.
• Background in digital transformation or automation in logistics environments.

Terms

Highly competitive salary package depending on experience.

Performance related bonus scheme.

Company car.

Private Health Care & Travel Insurance.

Matched employee / employer pension contribution.

Additional Annual Leave (Service Based).

Life & death in service insurance.

About The Company

With more than 50 years’ experience, McCulla Ireland is a leading provider of ambient, chilled and frozen logistics and storage solutions.

Established in 1969, we are now a second generation family-owned business which has shown great resilience, adaptability and innovation over the years. Today, we have three strategically-placed facilities in Lisburn, Dublin and Mallusk, and are the market leader for groupage coming from the UK onto the island of Ireland.

We have diversified significantly over the years from the original core business of standard refrigerated haulage into a fully integrated cold supply chain, including cold storage and bespoke logistics solutions for customers of all sizes.

Services include product collection, storage, picking-to-order and delivery by the box, pallet, or full load to anywhere in the UK, Ireland and the rest of continental Europe.

Company Culture

At McCulla Ireland we live and breathe our company motto : Be More. Deliver More. Expect More.

We understand that each customer is unique, so we always seek to deliver flexible, tailored solutions to suit our broad range of customers, from independent restaurants and retailers to major retail and hospitality chains and international manufacturers.

Our business ethos is to focus on removing our customers’ problems and to become an extension of their production lines.

At McCulla we are highly committed to our staff from the moment they join our team. We recognise that an environment that supports the varying needs of our employees creates a great atmosphere work in.

Closing Date Monday 29th December, 2025