The Role
We are a family-run, privately owned business built on strong relationships, operational excellence, and a genuine pride in the service we deliver. Our success has been built by combining a personal approach with professional standards - giving our customers the reliability of a major logistics provider, while retaining the agility, responsiveness, and care that sets us apart.
We are looking for an experienced, commercially minded Head of Transport to take full ownership of our transport operation and become a key member of our leadership team.
This is a career-defining opportunity for a transport professional who wants more than a traditional management role. You will have the autonomy to influence strategy, drive operational improvement, and shape the future of our transport function as the business continues to grow.
You will be responsible for leading the complete transport operation - setting standards, improving performance, controlling costs, developing people, and creating a culture where accountability, professionalism, and respect are at the heart of everything we do.
At our business, decisions are made quickly, ideas are valued, and experienced people have the opportunity to make a visible impact. Unlike larger, more complex organisations where change can be slow, you will have the ability to identify opportunities, implement improvements, and see the results of your leadership.
You will play a critical role in ensuring our transport operation remains efficient, compliant, customer-focused, and commercially aligned, while supporting our ambition to deliver exceptional service and build long-term partnerships with our customers.
Key Responsibilities
Take full ownership of the transport operation, including service delivery, operational performance, cost control, and continuous improvement.
Lead, develop, and inspire the transport and driving teams, creating a culture of accountability, engagement, ownership, and high standards.
Build strong relationships with drivers and operational colleagues, ensuring people feel valued, supported, and respected.
Drive transport efficiency by identifying opportunities to improve utilisation, reduce empty running, optimise resources, and maximise fleet performance.
Own transport cost management, challenging inefficiencies and implementing commercially focused solutions.
Lead transport planning strategy, ensuring resources are aligned with customer requirements and operational demands.
Take full responsibility for operator licence compliance, driver standards, working time regulations, and all relevant transport legislation.
Use data, reporting, and KPIs to understand performance, drive improvements, and create a culture of continuous development.
Lead the transport element of customer onboarding, ensuring operational solutions are well planned and delivered successfully from day one.
Develop strong partnerships with customers and internal stakeholders, ensuring we continue to be recognised as a trusted logistics partner rather than simply a service provider.
Act as a visible and approachable leader who engages with the operation, solves problems quickly, and sets the benchmark for professional standards.
Bring fresh thinking, challenge existing processes, and identify opportunities to improve the way we operate.
What We Are Looking For
We are looking for a proven transport leader who combines operational expertise with commercial understanding and the ability to inspire people.
You will have:
Proven experience in a senior transport leadership role within a demanding operational environment.
International CPC qualification (mandatory), with experience holding or supporting Operator Licence responsibilities.
A strong track record of improving transport performance, controlling costs, and delivering operational efficiencies.
Experience leading planning functions and improving fleet utilisation.
The ability to balance customer expectations, operational requirements, compliance, and commercial objectives.
A leadership style built around trust, visibility, clarity, and accountability.
The confidence to make decisions, challenge current thinking, and drive positive change.
A genuine understanding of drivers and the realities of day-to-day transport operations.
The ambition to contribute at leadership level and help shape the future direction of a growing business.
Why Join Us?
This is an opportunity to join a business where your experience will genuinely matter.
You will:
Become a key member of the leadership team with genuine ownership and influence.
Have the freedom to shape and develop the transport function rather than simply maintain it.
Work in an environment where decisions happen quickly, ideas are encouraged, and performance is recognised.
Join a company that combines the professionalism and reliability customers expect with the personal service and flexibility that larger competitors often struggle to provide.
Build meaningful relationships with customers, colleagues, and drivers in a business where people are valued.
Make a visible difference by improving operations, developing teams, and helping drive continued growth.
If you are an experienced transport professional looking for the next step in your career - a role where your knowledge, leadership, and commercial ability can have a real impact - this offers the opportunity to be part of something ambitious.
Barker Ross Group values diversity and promotes equality. No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics that fall under the Equality Act 2010. We encourage and welcome applications from all sections of society and are more than happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and/or additional arrangements as required to support your application.
For the purposes of the Conduct Regulations 2003, when advertising permanent vacancies we are acting as an Employment Agency, and when advertising temporary/contract vacancies we are acting as an Employment Business.
TPBN1_UKTJ
Read Less
