At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a busy transport operation, ensuring compliance and safety for a fleet of 100 vehicles.
- Company: Join a leading 3PL distributor with a focus on innovation and compliance.
- Benefits: Competitive salary of £55k plus excellent benefits and career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a strong focus on team development and compliance ownership.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in transport management while ensuring safety and legal compliance.
- Qualifications: Significant transport management experience and CPC qualification required.
The predicted salary is between 49500 - 60500 £ per year.
Strive are a UK wide Supply Chain & Logistics management recruiter. Transport Manager c£55k + Excellent Benefits Kent. Our client is a leading 3PL distributor, and we are delighted to support them in recruiting an experienced Transport Manager for their Kent operation. This is a key compliance-led appointment, responsible for maintaining effective control of transport activities and protecting the organisation's operator licence.
Reporting to the General Manager and leading five direct reports, you will provide continuous and effective management of a busy multi-drop transport operation. With a fleet of approximately 100 units and 100 drivers, you will ensure that vehicles, drivers, records and operating practices remain safe, legal, roadworthy and audit-ready while supporting reliable customer service.
Key Accountabilities as Transport Manager:
- Exercise continuous and effective control of the transport operation, ensuring compliance with operator-licence undertakings, relevant road transport legislation and regulatory expectations.
- Own the vehicle roadworthiness regime, including daily defect reporting, planned safety inspections, maintenance scheduling, MOT readiness, repair close-out and the retention of complete maintenance records.
- Manage drivers hours, working time and tachograph compliance through timely data downloads, analysis, infringement investigation, coaching and proportionate corrective action.
- Ensure all drivers hold the correct vocational entitlement and current Driver CPC, with robust licence checks, induction, training and competency records in place.
- Maintain safe systems for vehicle loading, load security, overloading prevention and the operation of vehicles and equipment.
- Monitor compliance performance through meaningful KPIs, audits and trend analysis, escalating material risks and implementing documented corrective and preventive actions.
- Act as the primary operational contact for DVSA, the Traffic Commissioner and other relevant authorities, ensuring the site remains prepared for inspections, investigations and audits.
- Lead, coach and hold accountable the transport team and driver population, embedding a culture in which safety and legal compliance take priority over delivery pressure.
- Ensure work is planned and resourced so that routes can be completed legally, safely and profitably without encouraging speeding or breaches of drivers hours.
- Control transport costs within budget while ensuring that commercial decisions do not compromise maintenance standards, roadworthiness or legal compliance.
- Oversee incident, collision, prohibition and enforcement follow-up, identifying root causes and ensuring lessons learned are translated into improved controls.
- Maintain accurate policies, procedures and evidence across fleet, driver and subcontractor compliance, and keep the General Manager informed of emerging risks and required investment.
The Ideal Person for the Transport Manager role:
- Significant transport management experience within a multi-drop, FMCG, retail or similarly time-critical distribution environment.
- International or National Transport Manager CPC, with a strong working knowledge of operator licensing and the responsibilities of a named Transport Manager.
- Demonstrable experience of vehicle maintenance compliance, defect management, safety inspection controls and audit-ready record keeping.
- Strong knowledge of drivers hours, working-time requirements, tachograph systems and infringement management.
- A proven track record of managing DVSA-facing compliance, internal audits, investigations and corrective-action plans.
- Confident leadership skills, with the authority and judgement to stop unsafe activity and challenge decisions that could place the operator licence at risk.
- Commercial and budgetary capability, balanced with an uncompromising approach to safety, legality and roadworthiness.
- Strong analytical, organisational and communication skills, with the ability to prioritise risk and maintain effective control in a high-volume operation.
- Experience of developing managers, planners and drivers to create sustained compliance ownership across the transport function.
This is a fantastic opportunity we look forward to your application.
Transport Manager in Maidstone employer: Strive Supply Chain Services Ltd
Join a fast-growing, design-led brand as a Demand Planning Analyst in Stevenage, where you'll be at the heart of an expanding supply chain team. With a strong focus on employee growth, this role offers hybrid working, a competitive salary, and a 10% bonus scheme, alongside opportunities for progression within a dynamic environment. Experience a supportive work culture that values analytical thinking and collaboration across departments, making it an excellent place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in their careers.
Contact Details:
Strive Supply Chain Services Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Transport Manager in Maidstone
✨Connect with Local Logistic Groups
Dive into local transportation and logistics groups on platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn. Show up to their meetups if you can – it's a great way to network with industry pros who can share insights, job openings, or even refer you to their own company.
✨Get Behind the Wheel of Job Boards
Look for job boards specific to transportation and logistics, like Logistics Job Site or TransportJobs. These platforms often have listings that you won’t find on general job boards, so they’re worth checking out regularly!
✨Leverage Internships & Graduate Schemes
Many companies in transportation and logistics offer graduate schemes and internships that can pave the way to full-time positions. Don't shy away from applying; even a short stint can make a solid impact on your CV and get your foot in the door at companies like Strive Supply Chain Services Ltd.
✨Apply Directly with Us!
When you find openings at great companies, make sure to apply directly through our website. It not only shows your initiative but also helps us to help you get noticed by Strive Supply Chain Services Ltd. Every application gets us one step closer to landing that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Transport Manager in Maidstone
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:When you're applying for a role in the transportation and logistics sector at Strive Supply Chain Services Ltd, make sure to highlight any relevant experience. Whether it's moving goods, coordinating schedules, or using transportation management software, give us the lowdown on your past gigs. It'll paint a clearer picture of what you're capable of!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers speak volumes in logistics! If you've optimised routes, reduced delivery times, or improved customer satisfaction, mention those incredible stats in your CV. This gives us concrete evidence of your impact and showcases your problem-solving skills.
Tailor That Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a formality—let it breathe your personality and passion for logistics! Explain why you're excited about the role at Strive Supply Chain Services Ltd and how you can contribute to our team. Don't forget to tie in specific skills or experiences that relate to the job description.
Research and Reflect:Before you hit 'submit,' spend some time digging into Strive Supply Chain Services Ltd. Understand our mission, values, and the specific challenges in the logistics industry. This will help you craft a targeted application that shows you truly want to be part of our crew, setting you apart from the rest!
How to prepare for a job interview at Strive Supply Chain Services Ltd
✨Know Your Logistics Basics
Get familiar with the key principles of transportation and logistics, like supply chain management, inventory control, and route optimisation. You might get asked practical questions about how to improve efficiency, so brush up on your problem-solving skills and be prepared to discuss any relevant software tools you've used.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In logistics, employers love to gauge how you'd handle real-life situations. Expect scenario-based questions where you’ll need to demonstrate your decision-making skills, like how to manage delays or coordinate shipments during a crisis. Practise outlining your thought process clearly and logically.
✨Highlight Your Teamwork Experience
Full-time roles in logistics often require collaboration with various teams, so don't forget to showcase your teamwork experience. Think of examples where you've used communication and collaboration to ensure smooth operations, and get ready to elaborate on how you can facilitate teamwork in a busy environment like at Strive Supply Chain Services Ltd.
✨Show Off Your Attention to Detail
In our world of logistics, missing a small detail can lead to big problems. Be prepared to discuss instances where your attention to detail saved the day, whether it was engaging with clients, managing documentation, or tracking shipments accurately. This will help demonstrate how you can be a reliable asset to Strive Supply Chain Services Ltd.
