Transport Operations Manager

Location: Felixstowe
Salary: £55,000–£60,000 + Company Car
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

About the Role

A well-established container logistics and transport business is seeking an experienced Transport Operations Manager to lead its planning and operations team based in Felixstowe.

This is a key leadership role, responsible for overseeing daily transport operations across the UK's major container ports, managing a team of transport planners, driving operational performance and ensuring exceptional customer service.

You'll play a pivotal role in fleet utilisation, team development, customer relationships and continuous operational improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the day-to-day transport planning operation.
• Oversee transport movements across Felixstowe, London Gateway and Southampton.
• Manage and develop a team of Transport Planners and Traffic Operators.
• Ensure operational service levels and revenue targets are consistently achieved.
• Work closely with drivers and fleet teams to maintain excellent communication and operational efficiency.
• Resolve operational issues quickly and effectively.
• Oversee Vehicle Booking System (VBS) management and minimise unnecessary costs.
• Act as the primary point of contact for operational queries from customers, drivers and internal stakeholders.
• Optimise fleet utilisation through effective planning and resource management.
• Produce and review KPI reports, analysing trends to improve performance.
• Ensure compliance with transport legislation, company policies and industry regulations.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across the transport function.
• Travel to other UK depots when required.

Skills & Experience

The successful candidate will ideally have:

• Minimum five years' experience managing transport operations within container haulage.
• Strong leadership experience managing transport planning teams.
• Excellent knowledge of UK container transport and port operations.
• Experience using TOPS transport management software.
• Strong understanding of VBS booking systems.
• Excellent knowledge of UK geography and container logistics.
• Sound understanding of Working Time Directive and EU Driver Hours Regulations.
• Strong commercial awareness with experience managing operational performance.
• Excellent organisational and decision-making skills.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Outstanding communication and relationship-building skills.
• Strong customer service focus.
• Excellent IT skills and reporting capability.

Benefits

• Company car.
• 23 days' annual leave, increasing with service up to 25 days.
• Birthday off after successful completion of probation.
• Company pension.
• Life assurance.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Health & wellbeing benefits.
• On-site parking.