Retail Transport Coordinator in Harpole

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Harpole, Northampton

£30,000.00 per annum (dependent on experience)

Working Hours:

04:00am to 12:00pm (noon), Monday to Friday

Location:

Harpole, Northampton

Closing Date:

26/07/2026

Job Category:

Transport

Country:

UK Region

Division:

Operations

Job Introduction

As we continue our mission to make people happy through re-inventing chocolate, we’re looking for a Retail Transport Coordinator to join our Transport team on a permanent basis.

You will play a key role in supporting the daily execution of Transport Operations here at Hotel Chocolat. This is a highly task‑orientated role, centred on ensuring that drivers are fully prepared, loads are ready for departure and all despatch processes are completed to a high standard.

This is a fast‑paced, early morning environment providing visibility across our transport, warehouse and operations teams, whilst continuously playing a key role in ensuring that all vehicles depart on time, fully compliant and with complete and accurate documentation.

Shift pattern: this role will operative on a shift pattern of 04:00am to 12:00pm (noon), Monday to Friday

Salary: up to £30,000.00 per annum (dependent on experience)

As well as a competitive salary and a range of company benefits, you’ll receive 50% discount on all products, and a 70% discount for you and your guests when you stay at our Rabot Estate hideaway on the paradise island of Saint Lucia.

The on‑site location for this role is at our Distribution Centre ‘Beta’, in Harpole, Northampton. We opened the doors to our impressive Distribution Centre – all 429,107 square feet of it – in October 2022.

You will find us just off Junction 16 of the M1.

What you’ll be doing….

Driver pre‑briefs

• Conduct daily pre‑briefs with drivers prior to departure.
• Clearly communicate routes, delivery schedules, and any site‑specific instructions.
• Highlight any operational updates, delays, or customer requirements.
• Ensure all driver paperwork is fully completed, accurate, and compliant before departure.
• Check delivery notes, manifests, and relevant transport documentation.
• Verify driver compliance with company procedures and legal requirements

Load Planning

• Build and organise daily load plans in line with delivery schedules and priorities.
• Ensure loads are sequenced correctly for efficient delivery routes.
• Work closely with the warehouse team to ensure accurate loading of vehicles.
• Prepare and issue complete Driver Run packs for each shift.
• Ensure all required documentation is included (delivery notes, route plans, instructions).
• Double‑check packs for accuracy and completeness prior to dispatch.
• Carry out regular spot checks on vehicles, loads, and documentation.
• Identify and resolve discrepancies before vehicles leave site.
• Maintain high standards of accuracy and operational compliance.
• Oversee the timely despatch of all vehicles.
• Escalate and resolve any issues that may impact delivery performance.
• Act as a key point of contact for drivers in the morning.
• Liaise with warehouse and transport teams to ensure smooth operations.
• Provide updates on any issues affecting deliveries.

Who you are…

• Demonstrable experience within a transport, logistics or despatch role or environment.
• Confident communicator – ability to brief drivers clearly and effectively.
• Strong attention to detail, particularly with paperwork and compliance.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, time sensitive environment.
• Competent in basic IT systems and transport software.
• Experience with load planning or route planning.
• Good understanding of transport procedures and driver requirements.

Who are we?

We’re one of the UK’s favourite premium chocolate brands, with a range of products spanning luxury gifts, alcohol and our pioneering drinking chocolate system, the Velvetiser™.

A cacao pod takes years to grow – it can’t be rushed if it’s going to be just right for our products. The same can be said for Hotel Chocolat, which originally started as a mint production company before we realised it was luxury chocolate that we were really passionate about.

Now, we’re market leaders in the industry. What began as an online‑only business grew to over 160 stores across the UK, and we’re still growing… Today, we’re multi‑category, multi‑channel, and multi‑territory, and our customers, colleagues, cacao farmers and suppliers all benefit from the success we make together.