Transport Operations Manager

TLP; Bristol; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Life assurance

20% M&S Discount

Healthcare plan

Employee perks app

Wellbeing programme

Induction & training

Cycle to Work

Job summary

TLP in Bristol is seeking a Transport Operations Manager to lead day-to-day transport operations on site, ensuring operational excellence and customer satisfaction in a fast-paced FMCG distribution environment.

You will report to the Logistics Manager and oversee around 9 direct reports and approximately 50 HGV drivers, driving safety, compliance and cost/service performance while delivering a best-in-class transport service.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading a transport function with end-to-end accountability for performance, compliance and service delivery.
• Strong knowledge of transport legislation, driver hours and operator licensing requirements.
• Ability to manage complexity and perform under pressure within a high-volume operation.

Responsibilities

• Accountable for safety initiatives at site level and for compliance breaches.
• Lead Operational excellence in cost and service, including peak planning and delivery.
• Oversee fleet safety, legal compliance and maintenance in collaboration with engineering managers.
• Develop shift managers through coaching and IDPs to sustain performance.
• Manage P&L, budgets and weekly reporting to senior management.
• Directly manage a team of shift managers, coordinators and drivers, fostering a proactive culture.

Skills

Leadership

Compliance knowledge

Budgeting

Safety & regulatory

Education

Transport Managers CPC Certification

Job description

Transport Operations Manager - FMCG Distribution

Full-time | Transport & Logistics | Location: Bristol, UK | Reports to the Logistics Manager

Remuneration: £48,300 - £56,000 (DOE) + up to 40% Performance Bonus

Hours: 8:00AM - 4:00PM | Tuesday - Saturday

Holiday: 25 days plus bank holidays (rising with length of service)

The Role

Our client, a leading UK&I FMCG distribution company, is seeking an experienced Transport Operations Manager to join their Bristol operations at a pivotal growth period.

You will be responsible for the successful delivery of day-to-day transport operations on site, ensuring operational excellence, customer satisfaction and strong team delivery. Reporting into the Logistics Manager, you will help deliver a best-in‑class transport service in a fast‑paced FMCG distribution environment.

This role will have around 9 main direct reports (Transport Coordinators / Shift Managers) along with a further circa 50 HGV Drivers that you will have responsibility for.

Key Responsibilities

• Accountable and inspiring of the company's safety initiatives at local site level
• Ensure to manage safety and compliance breaches appropriately.
• Striving to always improve AVDA performance
• Work alongside the engineering manager to ensure all operational fleet is safe and legal
• Ensure the regular development of shift managers, through IDPs and regular coaching
• Driving positive change and engaging culture.
• Accountable for Operational excellence i.e. cost and service including Peak planning/delivery.
• Accountable for Legal o-license compliance (on O License)
• Accountability for the P&L and budget management, reporting weekly into senior management.
• Conduct Investigations into non-compliance and regular checks to ensure standards are being maintained.
• Ensure effective team management at all times, across Shift Manager, Coordinators and Drivers.
• Ownership of continuous improvement initiatives and controllable costs.

About You

• Strong operational leadership capability, with the ability to manage complexity, make sound decisions and maintain performance under pressure
• Experience of working within a growing, evolving or newly invested operation, with the capability to embed structure, consistency and transport best practice
• Strong working knowledge of transport legislation, compliance and safety standards, including driver hours, vehicle standards and Operator's Licence requirements

Essential

• Proven experience operating at Transport Operations Manager level (or equivalent) within a large‑scale, fast‑paced transport or distribution operation (essential)
• Transport Managers CPC Certification
• Demonstrable experience leading a transport function with end‑to‑end accountability for performance, compliance and service delivery
• Significant experience working in a high‑volume, heavily unionised environment

Salary, Hours & Benefits

• Salary: £48,000 - £56,000.00
• Performance Bonus, up to 40% of salary
• Hours: 37.5hrs per week | 08:00 - 16:00 | Tuesday - Saturday
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (rising with length of service)
• Pension scheme (auto enrolment or defined contribution) + Life assurance up to 4 times salary
• 20% M&S Discount
• Discounted healthcare cash plan
• App-based perks and discounts with major restaurants and retailers
• Wellbeing support, including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Tailored induction and a wide range of training schemes for learning and development
• Cycle to Work scheme