At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support a team of drivers, ensuring their welfare and performance.
- Company: Join Freightliner, the UK's largest maritime intermodal logistics operator.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, excellent benefits, and a rewarding career in an award-winning team.
- Other info: Opportunities for growth and development in a supportive workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on driver welfare and operational success in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing staff and understanding safety management systems required.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
Local Operations Manager - Drivers - Southern Operations Freightliner, Tilbury
Freightliner is the UK's largest maritime intermodal logistics operator, transporting containers from major deep-sea ports to inland terminals and a leading operator in the UK Heavy Haul rail freight market.
Freightliner operates across Europe offering Intermodal and Heavy Haul rail freight services.
In the UK, Freightliner Group operates under the entities Freightliner Ltd, Pentalver Transport Ltd, and Pentalver Cannock Ltd.
Purpose of the Role
The Local Operations Manager (Driver) is accountable for the day-to-day welfare, people management, attendance, and engagement of a designated driver workforce, ensuring staff are supported, compliant, and effectively managed throughout the employment lifecycle.
The role provides visible, consistent leadership and ensures that driver welfare, conduct, attendance, and performance issues are managed proactively and lawfully.
This role does not own driver technical competence, assessments, or certification; these reside with the Production Manager.
Close collaboration is required where welfare and competence intersect (e. g. post-incident care).
The Role
- A. Driver Welfare & Chain of Care (Primary Accountability)
- Line management of drivers, ensuring welfare matters are addressed to conclusion
- Conduct sickness and welfare contact within 24 hours of absence
- Complete Return-to-Work interviews following all absences
- Develop and manage phased return-to-work plans
- Manage MFA placement, monitoring, and escalation
- Liaise with HR and Occupational Health to ensure timely referrals and action plans
- Ensure safeguarding, dignity, and confidentiality are always maintained
- Actively manage attendance, poor performance, and conduct issues
- Apply disciplinary and grievance procedures in line with company policy and agreements
- Conduct and document formal and informal reviews and warnings
- Maintain accurate records and provide evidence-based recommendations
- Work with Trade Union representatives at local level as required
- C. People Leadership & Engagement
- Lead, motivate and support driver staff through visible leadership
- Deliver regular briefings, safety communications, and engagement events
- Support employee development and apprenticeship engagement where applicable
- Ensure equality, fairness, and emotional intelligence in all people decisions
- D. Interfaces with Production Manager (Competence)
- Support welfare aspects of competence-related incidents and investigations
- Manage post-incident welfare, fatigue, and fitness for duty discussions
- Escalate concerns where welfare factors may impact competence
- E. Operational & Resource Support
- Work with rostering to manage efficient attendance and resource utilisation
- Minimise reliance on free day working through proactive welfare planning
- Support effective train service delivery through robust people management
- Participate in on-call and out-of-hours arrangements as required
- F. Recruitment & Workforce Planning
- Participate in driver recruitment interviews and selection panels
- Provide recommendations based on behavioural and welfare considerations
- Support onboarding and early-stage welfare monitoring of new starters
- Safety & Statutory Responsibilities
- The post holder has day-to-day responsibility for: health, safety and welfare of all drivers within their reporting line
- Compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act and ROGS regulations
- Ensuring welfare arrangements protect employees, rail users and the public
- Maintaining a positive safety culture, ensuring behavioural standards are upheld
- Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others affected by their actions at work
- Attend operational incidents when required
- Manage immediate and post-incident welfare support
- Liaise with Control, HR, and Production Managers during incidents
- Ensure staff involved in incidents receive appropriate follow-up and monitoring
- Participate in on-call response rosters including weekends and nights
Your Profile
- Knowledge, Skills & Experience
- Experience managing staff in an operational or safety-critical environment
- Proven ability to manage attendance, welfare, and disciplinary processes
- Experience working with Trade Unions
- Understanding of Safety Management Systems and Rail Operating environments
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and emotional intelligence skills
Qualifications & Requirements
- Personal Track Safety (PTS)
- Effective Incident Management training
- Competence in investigations and evidence-based reporting
- IT competence (e. g. Microsoft Office, operational systems)
- Full UK Driving Licence
- Flexibility to work nights, weekends, and away from home if required
- Safety leadership as a first principle
- Professional integrity and confidentiality
- Fairness, independence, and resilience
- Ability to influence and support others
- Empathy, emotional regulation, and sound judgement
Our commitment to you is to foster growth and provide developmental opportunities to help you reach your utmost potential.
We are seeking committed and reliable individuals with the knowledge, skills and experience needed for their roles.
In return we offer competitive pay, excellent benefits, a competitive pension scheme, and a rewarding career in an award-winning team.
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Local Operations Manager - Drivers - Southern Operations in Tilbury employer: Freightliner
Freightliner is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Birmingham where IT Support Analysts can thrive. With a strong commitment to professional development, competitive pay, and comprehensive benefits, employees are encouraged to grow their skills and advance their careers while contributing to a reliable IT infrastructure that supports the company's operations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Local Operations Manager - Drivers - Southern Operations in Tilbury
✨Get Involved in Industry Events
Logistics and supply chain are all about networking, so hit up those trade shows and local meetups. Places like the UK's Logistics and Supply Chain conference can be goldmines for connecting with potential employers like Freightliner and learning about the latest trends in the industry.
✨Leverage Online Communities
Join forums and LinkedIn groups specifically for logistics professionals. Share your insights and ask questions to get noticed. Being active in these spaces can help you establish credibility and might just lead to an opportunity at Freightliner!
✨Showcase Your Skills with a Portfolio
Even if it’s a full-time gig, having a portfolio can really set you apart. Include case studies or projects that demonstrate your understanding of supply chain management, logistics software, or solving operational challenges. You’d be surprised at how much this can impress hiring managers.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don't forget the power of applying directly through our website! A lot of companies like Freightliner keep job postings exclusive to their sites. This way, you can easily keep track of your applications and ensure your profile is in front of the right people.
We think you need these skills to ace Local Operations Manager - Drivers - Southern Operations in Tilbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Supply Chain Savvy:In your CV and cover letter, make sure to highlight your understanding of logistics and supply chain management principles. Mention any relevant courses you've taken or tools you've used, like inventory management software or data analysis platforms, to showcase your skills and keep up with best practices in the industry.
Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your previous work experience, remember to use numbers wherever possible. Did you improve delivery times by a specific percentage? Did you help reduce costs? These kinds of quantified achievements not only catch the eye but also demonstrate your capability in the logistics sector.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Freightliner:This is your chance to really connect with the team at Freightliner. In your cover letter, express why you're passionate about supply chain logistics and how your goals align with the company’s mission. A little personalisation goes a long way!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you've got any certifications related to logistics or supply chain management—like APICS or Six Sigma—make sure you flaunt them! These show that you're committed to your professional development and can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Freightliner
✨Know Your Logistics Tools
Make sure you're familiar with key logistics software and tools like SAP or Oracle ERP. These are often used in the industry, and being able to demonstrate your knowledge or experience with them can really set you apart during your interview with Freightliner.
✨Perfect Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect to tackle scenarios that showcase your problem-solving skills. Think about past experiences where you've had to optimise supply chains or handle logistics challenges. Have a few examples ready to discuss how you made decisions that led to improvements.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
Supply chain roles heavily rely on teamwork and communication. Be prepared to discuss how you've collaborated with others in previous roles. Maybe share a time when you coordinated with a team to resolve a logistical hiccup. This can show Freightliner that you're a team player!
✨Understand the Big Picture
Be ready to talk about the broader logistics and supply chain trends. Having insights into current challenges in the industry, like sustainability or lead times, can impress the interviewers at Freightliner. Show them you’re not just focused on the day-to-day but also have a strategic mindset!
