Transport Operations Manager

Role Overview

• Take full operational responsibility for the day-to-day running of the Transport Department, ensuring all deliveries are executed safely, on time, and to required specification
• Plan, coordinate, and control daily dispatch schedules in line with production output, service level agreements, and operational priorities
• Allocate drivers and loaders effectively, ensuring the right resource is assigned to the right vehicle and route to maximise productivity and efficiency
• Lead daily operational briefings to communicate workload, safety updates, compliance requirements, and service expectations
• Monitor live operations throughout the shift, making real-time adjustments to manage delays, breakdowns, traffic issues, or last-minute schedule changes
• Ensure all vehicles are roadworthy, legally compliant, clean, and maintained in accordance with DFT and airport authority (BAA) requirements
• Oversee daily vehicle checks, defect reporting, tachograph compliance, and maintenance scheduling to minimise downtime and ensure full regulatory adherence
• Take direct accountability for workforce planning and labour control, including rota management, absence monitoring, overtime control, and agency usage to meet operational demand while managing cost
• Ensure full compliance with driver hours regulations, working time directives, and transport security standards
• Manage all people processes within the department including performance management, disciplinary procedures, return-to-work meetings, and development planning
• Identify training needs and support succession planning to ensure operational continuity and capability within the team
• Maintain accurate and timely completion of all transport documentation, compliance records and maintenance logs
• Proactively identify operational risks or inefficiencies and implement corrective actions to drive continuous improvement
• Ensure all transport activities are conducted in a safe working environment, carrying out risk assessments and enforcing safe systems of work
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with internal departments, suppliers, airport authorities, and external stakeholders to protect service delivery
• Provide hands-on operational support during peak periods, staff shortages, or high workload situations to ensure service levels are maintained
• Take ownership of operational decisions, demonstrate visible leadership on the ground, and foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and shared success

Requirements

• You are a role model, leading by example, ready to roll up your sleeves and do what is needed to give our partners the best service with a problem-solving mentality
• Passion for food and motivation to deliver exceptional service
• Well presented, professional individual with a can-do, positive attitude that indulges in team success
• Build strong relationships with colleagues, mentoring and motivating, creating a team spirit, encouraging them to be at their best
• Strong, dependable leader that will happily join and assist your team to maintain the high DO & CO standards at any given moment
• You are a clear and engaging communicator, strong verbal and written English, and will use a variety of methods to keep the team well informed on all important matters
• Flexible in the way you think, making decisions efficiently and handling change to ensure everything we do is right for our partners and the DO & CO family
• Have energy and drive to deliver beyond expectations and effectively balance priorities and always looking for ideas and opportunities to improve our service and operations
• Approachable leader that the large DO & CO Family can depend on and trust
• With your guidance, your department will always remain a safe place to work and operate
• You must have a clean, 5-year checkable history due to working in a restricted zone of an airport

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Enjoy perks by referring your friends through our Refer a Friend Scheme
• Save money and time with On-Site Free Meals
• Expand your skills and knowledge through our in-house training opportunities.
• Genuine career development opportunities, both nationally and internationally
• The opportunity to work with and represent one of the most innovative players in the luxury global gourmet entertainment market