National Transport Manager

About the role

We are looking for an experienced National Transport Manager to lead SugaRich’s national transport operation. You will have overall responsibility for transport leadership, compliance, performance and continuous improvement, ensuring the function operates safely, legally, efficiently and cost-effectively while delivering a consistently high level of service.

This is a hands-on national leadership role with responsibility for the Company’s Operator’s Licence. You will maintain a visible presence across the operation and work closely with site transport teams, drivers, colleagues, suppliers and third-party transport providers.

Key responsibilities

· Lead the day-to-day national transport operation and provide clear direction to the Transport management team.

· Act as the appropriate named Transport Manager and maintain the Company’s Operator’s Licence undertakings.

· Ensure vehicles, trailers, drivers and transport records comply with current UK road transport legislation.

· Manage drivers’ hours, Working Time requirements, licence checks, training and compliance performance.

· Own Transport KPIs, budgets and operational performance, including utilisation, payload, journey efficiency, fuel, fleet and third-party haulage costs.

· Use transport systems and data to identify performance gaps, investigate exceptions and implement corrective action.

· Drive continuous improvement across service, productivity, cost, safety and compliance.

· Lead recruitment, development, performance management and succession planning within the Transport function.

· Oversee the effective utilisation, procurement, due diligence and disposal of HGV vehicles and trailers.

· Develop and maintain a rolling five-year fleet capital expenditure plan.

· Manage relationships with third-party hauliers and ensure providers meet SugaRich’s standards for service, safety, compliance and professionalism.

· Work across SugaRich sites, suppliers and third-party providers as required, ensuring effective operational coverage, including out-of-hours and night operations.

What we’re looking for

Essential

· Transport Manager CPC holder with the appropriate good repute to undertake the statutory Transport Manager role.

· Strong understanding of Operator’s Licence responsibilities, UK transport legislation and compliance.

· Significant management experience within an HGV transport or logistics environment.

· Proven leadership and people-management capability.

· A demonstrable track record of managing change and improving operational performance.

· Strong numerical and analytical skills, with experience managing KPIs, costs and budgets.

· Strong IT skills and confidence using transport systems and operational data.

· Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation and negotiation skills.

· Good organisation and time management, with the confidence to challenge appropriately.

· The ability to remain calm, focused and decisive under pressure.

Desirable

· Experience managing a multi-site national transport operation.

· Experience managing both an internal HGV fleet and third-party hauliers.

· Experience of fleet procurement and long-term fleet planning.

· Experience introducing or developing transport technology, driver applications, telematics and performance-management systems.

Your leadership approach

You will be a visible, proactive and hands-on leader who is comfortable moving between strategic management and operational detail. You will set clear expectations, hold people accountable, build strong working relationships and use evidence to drive measurable improvement while maintaining high standards of safety, service, quality and professionalism.

What success looks like

· Strong Operator’s Licence compliance and OCRS performance.

· Safe working practices, current driver training and timely completion of Transport Safety actions.

· Reliable collections and deliveries with consistently high service standards.

· Improved driver and vehicle utilisation, payload performance and journey efficiency.

· Effective control of fleet, fuel, labour and third-party haulage expenditure.

· A well-managed Transport team with clear accountability, effective performance management and appropriate succession arrangements.

· Demonstrable operational and cost improvements supported by clear Transport KPIs and management information.

Benefits

· Entry in to the Sugarich car scheme

· 25 Days plus bank holidays

· Company Pension Scheme

· Heath & Wellbeing Program