Transport Lead

CanDo Laundry Services is looking for a reliable, organised and hands-on Transport Lead to support our busy transport operation in Telford. This is a full-time, permanent position combining daily route coordination, driver support, transport administration and delivery driving when required. We are looking for someone with experience in transport, logistics, distribution or delivery operations who can communicate confidently, organise daily activities and respond calmly to changing priorities. Previous management experience is not essential. This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to develop a career in transport operations and leadership, with further training and potential progression into Transport Management as future opportunities arise. No remote work available.

Job Description

Job Title: Transport Lead

Department: Transport

Reports to: Production Manager

Location: Unit B3, Stafford Park 11, Telford, TF3 3AY

Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Rate of Pay: £13.75 per hour

Hours: 40 hours per week

Remote Working: Not available

Role Purpose

The Transport Lead is responsible for supporting the day-to-day coordination of the transport operation, ensuring delivery and collection routes are organised, drivers receive clear instructions, and operational issues are identified and addressed promptly.

The role acts as a key point of contact for drivers throughout the working day, supporting route planning, delivery progress, transport administration and communication between Transport, Production, Customer Services and management.

This is a hands-on operational role. The Transport Lead will be expected to undertake delivery and collection driving duties when required, including providing cover for holidays, sickness and other operational needs.

The Transport Lead will provide practical guidance and operational direction to drivers but will not initially hold formal line-management responsibility. Matters relating to formal performance management, disciplinary procedures and other employment issues will remain with the appropriate manager.

The position also provides an opportunity for professional development, allowing the successful candidate to gain experience and progressively develop the skills required for future transport management responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

Daily Transport Coordination

• Assist with planning, organising and coordinating daily delivery and collection routes.
• Ensure drivers receive accurate route information, instructions, timings and customer requirements.
• Monitor driver and route progress throughout the working day.
• Identify delays, missed collections, access difficulties and other operational issues.
• Make practical adjustments to routes and priorities within agreed procedures and authority.
• Communicate changes to routes, schedules and customer requirements promptly.
• Liaise with Production and Customer Services to ensure delivery and collection requirements are understood.
• Escalate significant delays, staffing shortages, vehicle issues and service failures to management.
• Support effective handovers and clear communication between departments.

Driver Support and Operational Leadership

• Act as a first point of contact for drivers requiring operational guidance or assistance.
• Provide clear instructions regarding assigned routes, delivery priorities and customer requirements.
• Support drivers in resolving routine operational problems.
• Assist new drivers with route familiarisation, delivery procedures and customer expectations.
• Encourage punctuality, professionalism, safe working practices and high standards of customer service.
• Monitor daily attendance and timekeeping information, reporting concerns to management.
• Identify and communicate concerns relating to driver conduct, performance or working standards.
• Follow up on routine operational instructions and outstanding actions.
• Promote a cooperative, respectful and supportive working environment.
• Demonstrate a positive example of professional behaviour and accountability.

The Transport Lead will provide day-to-day operational direction but will not be responsible for conducting formal disciplinary, capability or performance management procedures unless responsibilities are formally reviewed and appropriate training and authority are provided.

Delivery and Collection Driving

• Undertake delivery and collection driving duties when required to support the transport operation.
• Provide driving cover during annual leave, sickness, unexpected absences and periods of increased operational demand.
• Undertake routes at short notice where reasonably required to maintain customer service.
• Complete deliveries and collections safely, efficiently and professionally.
• Follow company procedures relating to vehicle checks, load security, safe driving and customer premises.
• Complete accurate delivery notes, collection records and route documentation.
• Report vehicle defects, accidents, incidents and customer concerns promptly.
• Maintain professional relationships with customers while carrying out driving duties.
• Balance driving responsibilities with transport coordination requirements in consultation with management.

Transport Administration and Documentation

• Maintain accurate daily transport records and route documentation.
• Review delivery notes, collection sheets, route records and relevant driver paperwork.
• Record route changes, delays, missed deliveries and other significant operational events.
• Ensure transport paperwork is completed accurately and submitted within required timescales.
• Assist with maintaining records relating to vehicle checks, defects and incidents.
• Identify missing or incomplete documentation and follow up appropriately.
• Maintain relevant information relating to daily driver activity and operational performance.
• Provide accurate transport information to management when requested.
• Support investigations or operational reviews by providing relevant records and factual information.
• Complete general transport administration to support the efficient running of the department.

Customer Service and Communication

• Maintain positive and professional relationships with customer contacts.
• Respond appropriately to routine delivery and collection queries.
• Support the resolution of missed deliveries, delayed collections and customer concerns.
• Communicate operational problems and service issues to Customer Services promptly.
• Ensure drivers understand customer-specific delivery and collection requirements.
• Escalate complaints, recurring concerns or significant service failures to management.
• Work collaboratively with Production, Customer Services and other departments to resolve operational issues.
• Represent CanDo Laundry Services professionally at all times.

Health, Safety and Transport Compliance

• Follow company health and safety procedures and encourage safe working practices.
• Check that required daily vehicle inspections have been completed and defects reported.
• Reinforce safe driving, manual handling, vehicle security and customer-site safety requirements.
• Report accidents, near misses, hazards and unsafe practices promptly.
• Support compliance with company transport procedures and applicable legal requirements.
• Ensure transport documentation is maintained in accordance with company procedures.
• Challenge unsafe practices where appropriate and escalate concerns to management.
• Support management in maintaining safe, organised and compliant transport operations.
• Develop knowledge of transport compliance, fleet procedures and relevant operational requirements as part of ongoing training.

Teamwork and Operational Support

• Work closely with the Operations Manager / General Manager to support daily transport requirements.
• Maintain effective working relationships with drivers, Production, Customer Services and other departments.
• Assist with identifying opportunities to improve delivery efficiency and reduce avoidable delays.
• Support changes to routes, working arrangements and operational procedures.
• Provide practical assistance during busy periods and unexpected operational disruption.
• Participate in operational meetings, training and development activities when required.
• Maintain a flexible and cooperative approach to changing business requirements.

Person Specification

Essential

• Previous experience in transport, delivery driving, logistics, distribution or operational coordination.
• Full UK driving licence with appropriate entitlement for vehicles used in the role.
• Willingness and ability to undertake delivery and collection driving duties.
• Good organisational, planning and time-management skills.
• Ability to coordinate multiple activities and respond to changing priorities.
• Clear and confident communication skills.
• Ability to provide practical guidance and instructions to colleagues.
• Good attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records.
• Basic IT skills, including email, spreadsheets and electronic records.
• Ability to work independently within agreed procedures and recognise when concerns require escalation.
• Reliable, punctual and professional approach to work.
• Commitment to customer service and safe working practices.
• Willingness to develop leadership skills and undertake further training.

Desirable

• Previous experience coordinating drivers or delivery routes.
• Experience within a multi-drop delivery or collection environment.
• Experience within commercial laundry, linen, workwear or service delivery operations.
• Knowledge of vehicle checks, defect reporting and transport documentation.
• Experience supporting or training new drivers.
• Familiarity with electronic route planning, tracking or transport management systems.
• Previous experience as a Senior Driver, Driver Lead, Transport Assistant or Junior Transport Coordinator.
• An interest in progressing into a transport supervisory or management position.

Skills and Behaviours

• Organised and methodical approach to work.
• Calm and practical when resolving operational problems.
• Confident communicator who can provide clear instructions.
• Able to prioritise tasks and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Comfortable providing operational direction and following up on agreed actions.
• Professional and customer-focused.
• Safety-conscious and responsible.
• Hands-on and willing to undertake driving duties.
• Flexible and responsive to operational requirements.
• Able to identify issues and escalate concerns appropriately.
• Supportive and cooperative team member.
• Reliable and accountable for completing assigned duties.
• Positive attitude towards learning and professional development.
• Demonstrates initiative, sound judgement and emerging leadership potential.

Key Working Relationships

• Operations Manager / General Manager
• Delivery and Collection Drivers
• Production Team
• Customer Services Team
• Maintenance / Fleet Support
• HR
• Customers and customer-site contacts

Performance Measures

Success in the role may be assessed against:

• Effective daily coordination of delivery and collection routes.
• Deliveries and collections completed in accordance with customer and business requirements.
• Timely communication and appropriate escalation of operational problems.
• Accurate and timely completion of transport documentation.
• Effective operational support provided to drivers throughout the working day.
• Reduction in avoidable delivery delays, missed collections and documentation errors.
• Appropriate identification and escalation of safety, attendance, conduct and operational concerns.
• Compliance with company transport and health and safety procedures.
• Effective provision of driving cover when required.
• Positive working relationships with drivers, customers and internal departments.
• Reliability, accountability and overall contribution to the transport operation.
• Demonstrated progress in developing operational knowledge and leadership capabilities.

Training, Development and Career Progression

CanDo Laundry Services is committed to supporting employee development and encouraging internal career progression.

The Transport Lead position offers an opportunity for someone with practical transport experience to develop their knowledge, leadership capabilities and wider understanding of transport operations.

Further training and development opportunities may include:

• Developing route planning, scheduling and transport coordination skills.
• Gaining a greater understanding of transport compliance, fleet management and operational procedures.
• Developing team leadership, communication and problem-solving capabilities.
• Learning how to monitor transport performance and identify operational improvements.
• Gaining experience in workforce planning, driver allocation and resource management.
• Working alongside experienced management to develop a broader understanding of departmental responsibilities.
• Undertaking relevant internal or external training where appropriate.

With anticipated changes within the transport management structure over the next two years, there is potential for future progression into a Transport Management position.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop the skills, knowledge and experience that may support future advancement, subject to individual performance, demonstrated capability and business requirements.

Progression is not guaranteed; however, CanDo Laundry Services is keen to support an individual who demonstrates the ambition, commitment and potential to take on greater responsibility as opportunities arise.

Working Arrangements

This is a full-time, permanent, site-based position working 40 hours per week.

The Transport Lead must be willing and able to undertake delivery and collection driving duties as a normal part of the role when operationally required.

Working times may occasionally vary to accommodate route schedules, customer requirements, driver availability and other operational needs.

The role requires flexibility to respond to changing daily transport priorities and provide practical support when necessary.

Remote working is not available.

General Duties

The postholder may be required to undertake other reasonable duties within their level of competence and the scope of the position.

Responsibilities and operational priorities may change according to customer requirements, staffing levels and business needs.

As the postholder develops their skills and experience, opportunities to undertake additional responsibilities may be considered following appropriate discussion, training and review.

Any material changes to the role, responsibilities or employment terms will be managed through the appropriate company procedures.

Company Expectations

All employees are expected to:

• Follow company policies, procedures and reasonable management instructions.
• Work safely and report hazards, incidents and concerns promptly.
• Treat colleagues, customers and visitors professionally and respectfully.
• Maintain confidentiality when handling business and employee information.
• Take reasonable care of company vehicles, equipment and property.
• Maintain appropriate standards of attendance, punctuality and conduct.
• Represent CanDo Laundry Services professionally.
• Demonstrate a positive and cooperative attitude towards teamwork.
• Take responsibility for their own learning and development.
• Support the operational needs of the business in a flexible and professional manner.