Central Transport Operations Lead

Role Overview

This position takes ownership of transport operations across a multi-site network, directing everything from daily dispatch and vehicle routing to long-term efficiency improvements. The person in this role makes sure goods move safely, on time, and within budget while meeting customer service commitments and regulatory requirements. It is a hands-on leadership role that blends tactical problem-solving with strategic planning to keep the entire transport function running smoothly.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end transport operation for the assigned network, overseeing dispatch, deliveries, collections, and vehicle turnaround on a daily basis.
• Improve fleet productivity by refining load plans, balancing vehicle allocation, and designing efficient routes that maximise capacity while reducing empty miles.
• Use transport management systems and live tracking tools to monitor vehicle movements, anticipate delays, and make real-time adjustments to keep shipments on schedule.
• Respond quickly to service disruptions, delivery exceptions, and customer complaints, coordinating with customer service and other stakeholders to resolve issues before they escalate.
• Monitor fuel usage, driver performance, and vehicle downtime, then introduce targeted measures to lower costs and raise productivity without affecting service quality.
• Make certain that all transport activity follows road safety laws, axle-load limits, licensing rules, and internal compliance standards, covering both vehicles and drivers.
• Set and track performance targets for suppliers and contractors, reviewing their service levels and holding them accountable for reliability and compliance.
• Support the operational team by balancing workloads, helping with individual development plans, and encouraging a workplace culture focused on safety and ownership.

Requirements & Qualifications

• A degree or diploma in logistics, supply chain management, or a related discipline.
• At least ten years of experience in logistics, transport, or supply chain operations, with proven exposure to distribution and customer-facing service environments.
• Demonstrated expertise in fleet utilisation, route optimisation, load planning, vehicle allocation, dispatch control, and delivery management.
• Strong working knowledge of transportation management systems, GPS tracking tools, fuel monitoring, and driver productivity analysis.
• Hands-on experience managing transport exceptions, supplier performance, and regulatory compliance across road transport operations.
• Practical familiarity with structured problem-solving methods, performance reporting, and continuous improvement frameworks such as lean or six sigma.
• Understanding of national business operations and the ability to work effectively with diverse teams, customers, and stakeholders in different cultural environments.