Transport Operations Manager

Bidfood UK; Inverness; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday (plus bank holidays)

Pension with company match

Life cover

Counselling services

Health plan

Discounts on high street

Job summary

Bidfood UK in Inverness is seeking a Transport Operations Manager to lead a depot transport operation, delivering safety, service and cost excellence. You will manage a team of Transport Managers and Team Managers, driving accountability and continuous improvement across the operation.

You will nurture talent, address issues promptly and role-model Bidfood’s values in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment at Inverness Depot.

Qualifications

• Experience leading large transport teams.
• Proven track record balancing cost, service and compliance.
• Knowledge of transport legislation, Working Time Directive and tachographs.
• Experience with budgets, workforce planning and resources.
• Strong safety culture development.
• Data-driven problem solving with KPIs.
• Legal requirement: Transport Manager CPC.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop your management team to deliver service excellence through their teams.
• Own full transport performance, balancing cost, compliance, productivity and customer service.
• Manage budgets, workforce planning and resources in line with volume and demand.
• Ensure compliance with transport legislation, WTD, tachographs and food safety standards.
• Drive a strong safety culture across vehicles, people and processes.
• Use data and KPIs to identify trends and improve performance.
• Manage performance, absence and disciplinary matters fairly.
• Collaborate with depot leadership and external partners.
• Model Bidfood values, especially under pressure.
• Role-model the CPC requirement for the role.

Skills

Transport leadership

Team development

Budget management

Compliance

Fleet management

CPC certification

Safety and regulatory knowledge

Job description

About the role

Transport Operations Manager

Our journey began back in 1929. Since then, we’ve continued to build a strong and resilient business with a great future. It’s why we believe we’re the best foodservice provider in the country.

Where has your journey taken you so far?

• Are you an experienced transport leader who thrives in a fast‑paced, operational environment?
• Do you have a proven track record of leading large teams through others?
• Are you confident managing complex transport operations while balancing cost, service and compliance?
• Are you knowledgeable in transport legislation, safety and fleet management?
• Motivated to deliver results, improve performance and raise standards?

Why not make our journey your journey?

As Transport Operations Manager, you’ll take overall responsibility for leading the transport operation at depot level, with safety, service and cost firmly at the heart of everything you do. You’ll lead a team of Transport Managers and Team Managers, creating a culture of accountability, high performance and continuous improvement. You’ll work closely with the wider depot leadership team to deliver the very best service to our customers, every single day.

You’ll really understand that brilliant results come from brilliant people, developing your management team, recognising good performance, addressing issues early and always leading by example. Transport at Bidfood is a demanding, fast‑moving environment, but if you care deeply about your people, your operation and the quality of service delivered, you’ll thrive here.

Some of the key parts of the role

• Leading, coaching and developing your management team to deliver service excellence through their teams
• Owning full transport performance, balancing cost, compliance, productivity and customer service
• Managing budgets, workforce planning and resources in line with volume and operational demand
• Ensuring full compliance with transport legislation, Working Time Directive, tachographs and food safety standards
• Driving a strong safety culture, vehicles, people, processes and behaviours
• Using data and KPIs to identify trends, solve problems and improve performance
• Managing performance, absence, conduct and disciplinary matters fairly and consistently
• Working collaboratively with depot leadership, support teams and external partners
• Always role‑modelling our values, especially when things are challenging
• A Transport Managers CPC (Certificate of ProfessionalCompetence) is a legal requirement for this role

If you’re ready to lead at scale, care about doing things the right way, and want to play a key role in shaping the future of Transport at Inverness Depot we’d love to hear from you.

About us

Our journey began back in 1929. Since then, we’ve continued to build a strong and resilient business with a great future. It's why we believe we’re the best foodservice provider in the country.

A journey that gives back

We want your career with us to be as rewarding as possible. So, you’ll get lots in return for your hard work. That includes benefits that can support your wellbeing and financial security, and give you peace of mind.

The essentials

• 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays) as a minimum and the opportunity to buy more
• A pension - contribute 4% and we’ll match you (after year 1, we’ll match your contributions up to 6%).
• Life cover that you can increase.
• Access to confidential support and counselling, when you need it.
• A health plan that gives you money back on everyday medical costs for all the family, as well as access to a digital GP.

The extras

• Exclusive range of high street discounts including cinema, tech, travel, fashion, food and drink.
• Get paid as you earn - access to up to 20% of your pay before payday.
• Opportunity to buy dental cover and critical illness cover.

We want everyone to join our journey

We’re on a journey towards creating the best possible workplace. We’ve got some way to go, but we’re building a diverse and caring workforce. One that’s filled with forward-thinking people who each bring unique talents and skills. So whatever your life experience, we want you to join us - and you really can come as you are!