Transport Manager

Transport Manager

Location: Gosport, Hampshire, or Garelochhead, Helensburgh

The Transport Manager role: The OPA are looking to appoint a Transport Manager on a 1-year FTC (fixed term contract) to be based at either Garelochhead, Helensburgh, Scotland, or at Gosport, Hampshire, England, with a Hybrid working model available.

This newly created role will contribute to the development of motor transport strategies with our Executive Team, and has full responsibility for establishing, embedding, and continually improving a robust transport risk management culture across all OPA locations, ensuring the highest standards of safety, compliance, and efficiency, mirroring the existing high standards applied to other operational areas within the OPA.

The post holder will need to develop strong positive working relationships with internal stakeholders and drivers. As this role requires regular travel in the UK with some overnight stays, therefore a full (preferably clean) UK driving licence is required.

Transport Manager Responsibilities:

Include, but are not limited to:

• Champion a proactive safety culture within transport operations, ensuring that prevention of future losses is prioritised over reactive measures.
• Lead the development, revision, and rigorous enforcement of comprehensive transport management policies and procedures, ensuring they are fully communicated and understood by all relevant personnel (including Depot Managers, Operational Managers, and drivers).
• Ensure all transport-related policies and procedures are integrated with the OPA's wider health and safety policies.
• Oversee the creation and maintenance of essential documentation, such as a Driver Safety Handbook, to serve as a central repository for regulatory information and best practices.
• Establish effective information channels to disseminate updates on transport law, best practices, and industry developments to relevant staff.
• Implement robust risk assessment methodologies for all driving at work activities, ensuring standardised tools and training are provided to relevant personnel.
• Oversee the effective utilisation of technology (e.g., driver mobile applications, vehicle tracking systems) to enhance driver risk assessments, monitor compliance, and boost operational efficiency.
• Monitor and analyse transport incident and near-miss data from a centralised system, identifying trends, root causes, and implementing preventative measures to reduce risk exposure.
• Guide and support Depot management in ensuring drivers adhere to safe driving practices, leveraging data to provide targeted support and liaise with the Competency Assurance Manager regarding identified training requirements.
• Address critical deficiencies including, but not limited to, inconsistencies in route planning, journey monitoring, on-site driving regulations, vehicle selection, and driver defect management.
• Ensure transport management practices meet and exceed regulatory compliance benchmarks, including legal requirements for driver hours and vehicle roadworthiness.
• Design and execute a comprehensive internal transport audit program across all depots, incorporating key findings from external assessments and ensuring full support and resourcing for local audit initiatives.
• Transition depot-level audit reporting to an online platform for efficient data aggregation, analysis, and central reporting.
• Verify adherence to vehicle check best practices for all vehicle types, including MOD White, Yellow & Brown Fleet vehicles, and ensure proper documentation and rectification processes are in place.

The candidate: You will need to hold a relevant professional qualification (e.g., Certificate of Professional Competence in Road Haulage (CPC), or equivalent), and have a proven positive track record in the delivery and management of the Motor Transport function.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Qualified Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor (ADR)
• ISO 39001Qualified - Road Traffic Safety Management System (RTSMS)

Required Knowledge / Skills:

• Good operational management skills
• Demonstrable expertise in transport legislation, compliance, and risk management (e.g., Operator Licence requirements, driver hours, vehicle roadworthiness).
• Strong understanding of health and safety management systems and their application to transport operations.
• Strong understanding of Motor Transport Law and Industry standards this will include Civil, Commercial and Fiscal Law, Business and Financial Management, Access to Market, Technical Standards and Road Safety.
• Experience in leveraging technology for fleet management, driver monitoring, and risk assessment (e.g., GPS tracking, telematics, driver applications).
• Exceptional analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and develop actionable insights.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and interpersonal skills, capable of engaging effectively with all levels of the organisation.
• Competent with all Microsoft Office applications