Transport Supervisor

Lowe Rental Corporation; Cheltenham; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

PKL is seeking a Transport Supervisor to lead daily transport operations, ensuring the timely and safe delivery and collection of catering equipment and portable kitchens, while maintaining PKL’s strict safety protocols and legal compliance.

You will oversee vehicle scheduling and routing, manage in-house drivers and subcontractors, coordinate deliveries for events, liaise with customers, and report on KPIs to the Head of Transport.

Qualifications

• 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 prioritise tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Competent with MS Office and transport management software.
• UK driving licence; HGV/CPC qualification is advantageous but not essential.

Responsibilities

• 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 policies and regulations.
• Source, vet, and manage subcontracted transport providers meeting PKL standards for safety and service quality.
• Ensure all vehicles and drivers comply with health, safety and transport legislation including inspections and licensing.
• Plan and coordinate deliveries and collections for events and customer orders with on-time performance.
• Liaise with customers to provide updates on delivery times and resolve transport-related issues.
• Coordinate maintenance, servicing and repair of company vehicles; keep fleet in top condition.
• Maintain records of vehicle inspections, driver logs, subcontractor agreements, and fuel usage for reporting.
• Work with Head of Transport to identify operational improvements and implement changes.
• Prepare and deliver reports on KPIs, fleet utilization, delivery performance, and costs; provide recommendations.

Skills

Transport regulations

Team management

Route planning

Health & safety compliance

Customer service

Driver liaison

Tools

Transport Management System (TMS)

Microsoft Office (Word Excel Outlook)

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: CHELTENHAM, Gloucestershire GL52 7DQ

The Company

PKL, a Lowe Rental Company, 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 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.

QualificationsSkills & 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.

Desirable

• 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
• Transport Mangers CPC

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.