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- Tasks: Plan and coordinate daily transport operations for optimal fleet performance.
- Company: Established logistics company in Birmingham with a focus on efficiency.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 28 days holiday, and a permanent contract.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in transport operations.
- Qualifications: Experience in transport planning and strong analytical skills required.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 42000 £ per year.
Our well-established client based in Birmingham are seeking an experienced and driven Transport Operator to join their operations team. The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering efficient, compliant transport planning across the pallet network and dedicated distribution activities.
Salary: £33,000 – £35,000 (depending on experience)
Working Hours: Monday – Friday, 06:00 – 15:00 (one-hour unpaid lunch break)
Contract: Permanent
Holiday: 28 days, including bank holidays
Office-based
Key Responsibilities:
- Executing daily delivery and collection routes, ensuring efficient vehicle utilisation, minimising empty running, and achieving service windows.
- Optimising route planning using cost-to-serve principles, balancing service performance with fuel efficiency, mileage reduction, and labour productivity.
- Monitoring live fleet operations, making real-time planning adjustments to mitigate delays, maximise productivity, and protect service levels.
- Ensuring full compliance with Drivers’ Hours and Working Time Directive (WTD) regulations, proactively managing driver availability and legal working limits.
- Managing daily pallet network operations, including manifesting, trunk planning, hub departure compliance, and delivery route scheduling across systems such as Pallet Track, Pall-Ex, Palletline, or equivalent VIGO TMS platforms.
- Tracking consignments and delivery performance, ensuring accurate status updates and timely exception management within the network and internal systems.
- Analysing operational performance data, identifying planning improvements, cost-saving opportunities, and efficiency gains across fleet and subcontractor activity.
- Conducting structured driver briefings and debriefings, ensuring operational priorities, route planning, and compliance expectations are clearly communicated.
- Liaising with pallet network hubs, customers, subcontractors, and internal departments to resolve operational challenges and maintain KPI performance.
- Supporting continuous improvement initiatives by identifying trends, improving load build strategies, and enhancing route planning processes.
- Providing clear and structured shift handovers to maintain operational continuity between planning teams.
About You:
We are looking for a proactive, commercially aware transport professional who can combine operational planning with a strong focus on compliance and service.
You will ideally have:
- Previous experience within a transport planning or transport operator role.
- Strong knowledge of Drivers’ Hours and Working Time Directive (WTD) regulations.
- Experience working within pallet network or groupage distribution operations such as Pallet Track, Pall-Ex, Palletline, or similar hub-and-spoke logistics environments.
- Strong planning and analytical skills, with the ability to optimise routes and improve cost-to-serve performance.
- Experience using transport management systems VIGO / Contrado (TMS), route planning tools, and Microsoft Office packages, particularly Excel.
- Excellent organisational and multitasking abilities within fast-paced operational environments.
- Strong communication skills, with confidence managing driver engagement and stakeholder relationships.
- A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with strong attention to detail and operational efficiency.
- Knowledge of pallet weight.
Please note: Due to the high volume of applications, if you have not heard from us within two weeks, unfortunately your application has been unsuccessful.
Transport Controller in Birmingham employer: Reactive Driving Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Reactive Driving Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Transport Controller in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the transport industry on LinkedIn or at local events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to transport operations. Think about your past experiences and how they relate to the role of a Transport Operator. We want you to shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! Bring examples of how you've optimised routes or improved efficiency in previous roles. This will demonstrate your value and fit for the Transport Controller position.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step!
We think you need these skills to ace Transport Controller in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Transport Operator role. Highlight your experience in transport planning and any relevant systems you've used, like Pallet Track or VIGO. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for our team. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your knowledge of Drivers’ Hours and WTD regulations, and how you’ve optimised routes in the past.
Show Off Your Analytical Skills: Since the role involves analysing operational performance data, make sure to mention any relevant examples where you've improved cost-to-serve performance or enhanced route planning. We love seeing those problem-solving skills in action!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and we’ll be able to review your application more efficiently. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Reactive Driving Recruitment
✨Know Your Transport Regulations
Make sure you brush up on the Drivers’ Hours and Working Time Directive (WTD) regulations before your interview. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you understand the compliance side of the role, which is crucial for a Transport Operator.
✨Familiarise Yourself with TMS Tools
Get to know the transport management systems mentioned in the job description, like VIGO or Pallet Track. If you can demonstrate your experience or knowledge of these tools during the interview, it’ll give you a significant edge over other candidates.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about how you would handle real-time planning adjustments or operational challenges. Think of specific examples from your past experience where you optimised routes or improved efficiency, as this will showcase your problem-solving skills.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Transport Operator, you'll need to liaise with various stakeholders. Be ready to discuss how you've effectively communicated with drivers, customers, and internal teams in the past. Highlighting your strong communication skills will reassure them that you can manage relationships well.