Transport Operations Manager

Fantastic opportunity for an individual to become Transport Operations Manager, joining a thriving Food Retail Services / FMCG company (Fantastic company, with multi billion turnover).

This company places immense value on their staff, and is one of the best places for an individual to work in.

This role is based in Belfast Office (Dargan Crescent). Permanent - Monday - Friday position.

Salary:

Negotiable + Fantastic Benefits package & Growth Opportunities

Responsibilities:

This role requires excellent organisational and leadership abilities, as well as a deep understanding of transport operations, employment laws, and compliance requirements.

• Lead and manage the transport function for Wholesale Partners, delivering optimal transport solutions across Food Service, Retail, and MarketPlace local delivery operations.

• Collaborate closely with warehouse teams, supply chain functions, and wider business stakeholders to ensure depot targets are achieved while delivering best-in-class customer service within budget.

• Manage site-based transport teams to consistently achieve or exceed all KPIs and SLAs.

• Ensure full compliance with all statutory obligations, transport legislation, regulatory requirements, and safety standards covering fleet management, vehicle maintenance, and drivers' hours.

• Monitor driver performance, providing structured feedback and addressing performance or disciplinary issues in line with company policies and procedures.

• Engage, motivate, and develop drivers and transport teams, identifying training needs to support continuous improvement and capability building.

• Implement the divisional transport strategy, ensuring alignment with wider business objectives and operational priorities.

• Lead transport network transformation initiatives to improve efficiency, enhance service levels, and deliver sustainable cost savings.

• Build and lead a high-performing transport team culture focused on accountability, safety, and customer excellence.

• Own and manage the divisional transport budget, ensuring cost control, accurate forecasting, and strong financial performance.

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with customers, suppliers, regulatory bodies, and internal stakeholders to support operational excellence.

The Ideal Person:

• CPC Transport qualification.

• Minimum 3 years' experience leading and managing high-performing, results-driven teams.

• Proven track record of delivering strong operational results in a fast-paced, high-volume FMCG environment.

• Demonstrated experience within a national logistics operation managing frequent, multi-drop deliveries.

• Strong leadership capability with clear evidence of employee engagement, motivation, and effective performance management.

For further information on this vacancy, or any other jobs in Belfast or wider Northern Ireland, please apply via the link below or contact Jack Groves in the strictest confidence.

Outstanding service. VANRATH were superb - I couldn't speak highly enough of them.

My experience with VANRATH was extremely positive and completely hassle-free. The team were professional, approachable, and very supportive. I would absolutely work with VANRATH again in the future.

VANRATH were a pleasure to deal with and stayed in touch at every stage of the process. I would happily recommend them to others.

A truly excellent recruitment experience. The team were supportive from start to finish and ensured everything ran smoothly. Thank you for all the help - I'm delighted in my new position.

Vanrath have been fantastic to work alongside and delivered a very polished and professional service. Special thanks to Ross (Senior Recruitment Consultant) who provided invaluable help in securing my contract. I would strongly recommend them.

I would like to sincerely thank Ross Stevenson from Vanrath for the exceptional support he provided. Through his knowledge and commitment, I was able to secure an excellent job opportunity.
Ross showed a high level of professionalism throughout, and his clear communication and regular updates made the entire process straightforward.
Many thanks to Ross for all of his support.

Everything was handled very efficiently, and Joseph kept communication clear and consistent throughout the process.

I would highly recommend VANRATH to anyone considering a career move or searching for a new role.