Careers
Transport Manager
About the Role
Location: Basildon
Department: Road
About XPand
Established in 2000, we are a privately owned UK company with six locations across the UK and a truly global reach. We are a young, dynamic and forward-thinking business that values our people. We offer a modern, safe working environment where our team can thrive and succeed.
Our Core Values:
Empathy “We have each other’s backs. No role divides when help is needed”
Passion & Drive “We take pride in the job we do from start to finish and go that extra mile. We have unwavering determination to deliver”
Integrity “We talk to and treat others how we would expect to be treated, no matter the position within the company”
Customer Focussed “We create real value for our clients. Delighting and exceeding customer expectations”
Team “One Team, one goal”
Role Summary
The Transport Manager is responsible for the leadership, compliance, performance, and commercial management of daily UK and European road transport operations.
The role ensures full compliance with UK transport legislation, optimises fleet utilisation and cost efficiency, manages supplier relationships, and drives high service standards for customers. The Transport Manager will lead and develop the Basildon transport team while working closely with other departments to support operational growth and performance.
Some exposure to ocean freight operations would be advantageous, but is not essential.
Key Responsibilities:
Operational Management
- Manage and oversee all daily UK road operations and European movements
- Ensure effective routing, scheduling, and dispatch of company and subcontracted fleet
- Maximise fleet utilisation and load optimisation to improve efficiency and profitability
- Monitor vehicle availability, maintenance schedules, and compliance documentation
- Work closely with the Warehouse Manager to coordinate loading/unloading schedules and planning
- Proactively manage service disruptions and implement contingency plans
Compliance & Legal Responsibility
- Ensure full compliance with UK transport legislation and regulatory bodies
- Maintain operator licence compliance and audit readiness
- Monitor driver hours, tachograph data, and Working Time Directive adherence
- Implement and maintain robust health & safety procedures within transport operations
- Lead internal transport audits and ensure corrective actions are implemented
- Oversee maintenance inspections and defect reporting processes
Team Leadership & Development
- Lead, motivate, and develop transport team (drivers and office staff)
- Conduct regular 1:1s, performance reviews, and development planning
- Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement
- Support recruitment, onboarding, and training of transport personnel
Supplier & Commercial Management
- Manage and negotiate with haulage subcontractors and transport suppliers
- Monitor service level performance while maintaining competitive cost structures
- Monitor and control transport budget, including fuel, maintenance, agency, and subcontractor costs
- Produce weekly and monthly KPI and cost reports
- Identify opportunities for cost savings and operational efficiencies
Customer Service Excellence
- Act as escalation point for transport-related client issues
- Maintain strong working relationships with key customers
- Support delivery of strong OTIF (On-Time In-Full) performance levels
- Support commercial teams with transport input for tenders and pricing
Continuous Improvement
- Implement process improvements across planning and fleet operations
- Leverage transport management systems and digital tools to enhance visibility and reporting
- Review performance metrics and implement corrective actions where necessary
Person Specification:
- Minimum 3–5 years’ experience in UK transport management
- Strong working knowledge of UK road transport regulations and compliance
- Experience managing daily UK fleet operations and subcontractors
- Demonstrable leadership experience
- Strong commercial awareness and budget management capability
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment
- Strong IT skills (Microsoft Office and transport systems)
- Experience supporting transport compliance documentation and audit preparations
Desirable
- International road freight experience (European Operations)
- CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence)
- Experience preparing for DVSA audits
- Exposure to ocean freight operations
Key Performance Indicators:
- On-Time In-Full (OTIF) delivery performance
- Transport cost per consignment
- Fleet utilisation rates
- Driver compliance and tachograph adherence
- Budget adherence
- Customer satisfaction and escalation levels
- Audit compliance results
- Team engagement
Additional Information
This job description is not exhaustive; it will be subject to periodic review and may be amended to meet the changing needs of the business.
Some out-of-hours availability may be required to support operational continuity.