Transport Supervisor

PKL, A Lowe Rental Company; Cheltenham; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

PKL, a division of Lowe Rental, is seeking a Transport Supervisor to lead daily transport operations, coordinating delivery and collection of catering equipment, portable kitchens, and modular buildings to clients across the globe. You will ensure compliance with safety protocols, regulatory requirements, and company policies while driving fleet efficiency and exceptional customer service.

Reporting to the Head of Transport, you will schedule routes, manage drivers and subcontractors, maintain

Qualifications

• Experience in a transport or logistics supervisory role.
• Solid knowledge of transport regulations and vehicle maintenance.
• Experience managing drivers and subcontractors.
• Ability to prioritise tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Full UK driving license; HGV or CPC advantageous.
• Experience with event equipment hire or facilities management preferred.
• Familiarity with GPS systems and fleet telematics.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily scheduling and routing for efficient transport operations.
• Manage in-house drivers and subcontracted providers to meet safety and service standards.
• Source, vet, and manage subcontractors and review performance.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety and transport legislation.
• Plan and coordinate deliveries and collections for events and orders.
• Liaise with customers to provide updates and resolve issues.
• Coordinate vehicle maintenance and repairs to keep fleet in top condition.
• Maintain records of inspections, logs, contracts, fuel, and metrics.
• Collaborate with Head of Transport on improvements and reporting.
• Monitor KPIs, identify trends, and implement corrective actions.

Skills

Team leadership

Regulatory compliance

Route planning

Fuel efficiency

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Driver management

Attention to safety

Tools

Transport management systems

MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Job description

PKL, a division of Lowe Rental, is the leading commercial catering equipment and Portable Kitchen supplier to both public and private sector clients across the globe. With over 35 years’ experience, our unique culture is built on people, from motivating and developing our highly talented team, to truly listening to and delivering against our clients’ needs.

Glastonbury to Wimbledon, Olympics to the Commonwealth Games, we are an entrepreneurial organisation who believe working together is the key to our success.

The Role

Reporting directly to the Head of Transport, the purpose of the Transport Supervisor is to is to lead and manage the daily transport operations with precision, ensuring the timely and safe delivery and collection of catering equipment, portable kitchens, and modular buildings.

You will ensure that all transport activities comply with PKL's stringent safety protocols and legal regulations, while optimizing fleet efficiency and maintaining high standards of customer service. By fostering a culture of safety, compliance, and operational excellence, you will contribute to the success and growth of PKL Group. This role will include but not limited to the following duties:

• Oversee the daily scheduling and routing of vehicles to ensure efficient transport operations, reducing downtime and optimizing fuel usage.
• Manage and monitor the performance of both in-house drivers and subcontracted transport providers, ensuring adherence to company policies, road safety regulations, and legal requirements.
• Source, vet, and manage subcontracted transport providers, ensuring they meet PKL’s standards for safety, compliance, and service quality. Regularly review subcontractor performance and address any operational issues.
• Ensure that all vehicles and drivers comply with current health, safety, and transport legislation, including vehicle inspections, driver licensing, and training.
• Plan and coordinate deliveries and collections of equipment for events and customer orders, ensuring on-time performance and accurate delivery.
• Liaise with customers to provide updates on delivery times, resolve transport-related issues, and ensure high levels of client satisfaction.
• Coordinate the maintenance, servicing, and repair of company vehicles, ensuring the fleet is always in top working condition.
• Maintain accurate records of vehicle inspections, driver logs, subcontractor agreements, fuel consumption, and other transport metrics for reporting purposes.
• Work closely with the Head of Transport to identify areas for operational improvement and implement changes that enhance efficiency and service quality.
• Prepare and deliver regular reports to the Head of Transport on key transport metrics, including fleet utilization, delivery performance, cost analysis, and subcontractor efficiency. Provide insights and recommendations for improvements.
• Monitor and track key performance indicators (KPIs), identify trends, address underperformance, and implement corrective actions where necessary.

Skills & Experience

• Demonstrable experience in a transport or logistics supervisory role.
• Solid understanding of transport regulations, vehicle maintenance, and route planning.
• Proven experience in managing and motivating a team of drivers or transport staff.
• Strong ability to prioritize tasks and handle multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to resolve issues quickly and efficiently.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Competent with transport management systems and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• A full, clean UK driving license is essential; HGV or CPC qualification is advantageous but not essential.
• Experience within a similar industry, preferably dealing with event equipment hire, catering, or facilities management.
• Knowledge of fleet telematics and GPS systems to enhance transport efficiency.
• Experience of HIAB

Exceptional candidates who do not meet these criteria may be considered for the role provided they have the necessary skills and experience.

PKL is an equal opportunity employer and committed to a diverse workforce. We are incredibly selective in our hiring and shortlisting for this vacancy will be completed on the basis of merit. Candidates should tailor their CVs to reflect our essential criteria.