At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and optimise our transport operations while shaping strategic direction.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at a leading transport company in Whitchurch.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and a chance to make an impact.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity for those looking to innovate in the transport sector.
- Why this job: Be a key player in transforming transport systems and driving performance.
- Qualifications: Experience in transport management and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
We are seeking a senior, commercially astute Transport Manager to provide strategic leadership and full operational ownership of our Whitchurch transport function. This is a newly created, high-impact role with the autonomy to shape long-term transport strategy, modernise systems and ways of working, and deliver measurable improvements across safety, service, cost, and capability.
Reporting into the site General Manager, with a dotted line to the European Head of Transport, you will be accountable for building a best-in-class transport operation that is safe, compliant, scalable, and commercially optimised. You will lead a large, multi-disciplinary transport team and play a pivotal role in transformation initiatives, including a major Transport Management System (TMS) rollout.
This role requires a visible, credible leader who can operate at both strategic and operational levels—setting direction, influencing stakeholders, developing talent, and driving sustained performance improvement.
Key Accountabilities
- Provide end-to-end leadership of the Whitchurch transport operation, setting clear strategic direction aligned to business objectives.
- Translate business strategy into feasible transport plans covering fleet, people, systems, subcontractors, and service delivery.
- Act as the senior transport authority on site, influencing operational, commercial, and safety decisions at leadership level.
Safety, Compliance & Governance
- Hold full accountability for transport safety, legal compliance, and governance in line with UK transport legislation, DVSA standards, and O-Licence obligations.
- Establish robust compliance frameworks, controls, and assurance processes, ensuring audit readiness at all times.
- Lead serious incident, accident, and insurance investigations, driving root-cause analysis and sustainable risk reduction.
Fleet, Asset & Cost Optimisation
- Own the strategic management of fleet and assets, including HGV and trailers.
- Ensure accurate, timely, and actionable fleet, compliance, and cost reporting to support data-driven decision-making.
Transport Planning & Service Performance
- Oversee transport planning and execution to deliver consistent, high-quality service to customers and internal stakeholders.
- Partner with Operations to ensure effective resourcing, contingency planning, and disruption management.
- Embed performance management disciplines, using KPIs and insight to continuously improve service, cost, and efficiency.
People Leadership & Capability Building
- Lead, develop, and inspire a large transport workforce including planners, compliance teams, supervisors, and drivers.
- Build a high-performance culture through clear accountability, coaching, succession planning, and leadership development.
- Own recruitment strategy, onboarding, training, engagement, and performance management for the transport function.
Commercial & Strategic Development
- Own transport-related commercial performance, contributing to P&L, budgeting, and cost control.
- Identify and develop new revenue opportunities through subcontractor strategy, external partnerships, and service innovation.
Transformation & Systems Leadership
- Lead major change initiatives, including compliance improvement programmes and the implementation of a new Transport Management System (TMS).
- Drive standardisation, automation, and continuous improvement across transport processes.
Essential Experience
- Proven senior leadership experience within medium-to-large transport operations (40+ drivers).
- Strong expertise in transport compliance, fleet management, and operational governance.
- Demonstrated ability to lead large teams, manage complexity, and deliver sustained performance improvement.
- Strong commercial acumen with experience managing budgets, costs, and operational profitability.
Desirable Experience
- Experience within food, retail, or warehouse-integrated transport environments.
- Multi-site or network transport leadership exposure.
- Hands-on involvement in TMS implementation or large-scale operational transformation.
Qualifications
- CPC (National & International) – essential
- NEBOSH or equivalent – desirable
Transport Manager in Whitchurch employer: Americold
Contact Detail:
Americold Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Transport Manager in Whitchurch
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, join transport management forums, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of hearing about job openings before they even hit the market.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its transport operations. Understand their challenges and think about how you can contribute to their success. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just wait for job postings—reach out directly! If you see a company you’re keen on, send them a message expressing your interest in potential opportunities. Sometimes, a proactive approach can land you an interview before a role is even advertised.
✨Tip Number 4
Utilise our website to apply for roles. We’ve got a range of resources to help you ace your application and stand out from the crowd. Plus, applying through us means you’ll be in the loop for any updates or new opportunities that come up!
We think you need these skills to ace Transport Manager in Whitchurch
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Transport Manager role. Highlight your leadership experience, compliance knowledge, and any relevant achievements that align with our needs at StudySmarter.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've led transport operations and improved performance in previous positions.
Showcase Your Strategic Thinking: In your application, demonstrate your ability to think strategically. Discuss how you've developed transport strategies or implemented systems that have made a measurable impact on safety and efficiency.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at Americold
✨Know Your Transport Strategy
Before the interview, make sure you understand the company's transport strategy and how it aligns with their business objectives. Be ready to discuss how your experience can help shape and modernise their transport operations.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Transport Manager, you'll need to lead a large team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, focusing on your ability to inspire, develop talent, and drive performance improvements.
✨Demonstrate Compliance Knowledge
Familiarise yourself with UK transport legislation and DVSA standards. Be prepared to discuss how you've ensured compliance in previous roles and how you would establish robust frameworks in this new position.
✨Prepare for Transformation Discussions
This role involves leading major change initiatives, including TMS implementation. Think about your past experiences with transformation projects and be ready to share specific examples of how you've driven change and improved operational efficiency.