Transport Operations Controller

Job Title: Transport Operations Controller
Location: Newark-on-Trent, NG24 1DL
Salary: £35,862 per year
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Shift Pattern: 0700 to 1900 and 1900 to 0700 days and nights rotation

Join Our Transport Team at Abbey Logistics!
We’re looking for an experienced Transport Operations Controller to join our busy and successful planning team based at our Newark depot, supporting our key customer, British Sugar.

About the Role:
Since 2016, Abbey Logistics has proudly partnered with British Sugar, delivering high standards through collaboration and operational excellence. As a Transport Operations Controller, you’ll play a vital role in executing real-time transport plans, managing driver and fleet resources, and ensuring first-class customer service is delivered every time.

This is a hands-on, fast-paced role requiring excellent communication, planning, and problem-solving skills. You’ll liaise daily with British Sugar, third party hauliers, customers, and our driving teams.

The successful candidate will provide operational planning and process skills which maximises the utilisation of vehicles and minimises hours and mileage and ensures delivery on time targets are met.

The position is accountable for 24/7 execution of the allocated daily plan in an efficient and cost-effective manner within a safe and compliant environment. Working as an integral member of the Planning team.

Key Responsibilities

• Implement a cost effective and efficient delivery plan that enables customer DOT targets to be met and VMI Customers to maintain production whilst dealing with any real-time event management.
• Ensure we have the planned number of fleet (Tractors and Trailers) and drivers are all available to complete efficient delivery plan.
• Brief and debrief of drivers via HHD Device to ensure all drivers are ‘signed off’ for work and that all debrief information is captured and inputted into the correct system in a timely manner.
• Escalate any deviance to plan to Transport Planner and Planning Manager
• Upkeep and update of all systems (Whiteboard, SB Client, QBis etc.) to be in a ‘Live’ state.
• Adhere to Customer adherence plan through Load List allocation, Special Bookings and daily management.
• Management & communication of all 3rd Party Load list bookings.
• Follow the planned maintenance schedule through implementation of the Delivery plan to ensure company’s fleet remains fully compliant whilst delivering operational efficiency, enabling all equipment to be maintained in the most cost-effective way and in line with the business O licence under takings.
• Plan for any exceptional return of trailers for Washout to Wash Station.
• Daily compliance & control of non-core resource i.e. Agency, Internal Support, Sub Contraction to adhere and achieve trunking requirements, in line with execution of delivery plan.
• Escalation of any shortfall of resource to Transport Planner and Planning Manager.
• Ensure effective communication of any issues (driver misconduct, late deliveries, delays, incidents, accidents) to Internal & External Parties via agreed method i.e. Email, Incident Report, Airsweb).
• Be the point of contact & escalation for out of hours Customer Service enquires.
• Control, compilation and distribution of Handover amongst peers.
• Consistently strive to improve contract transport performance and suggest ways to do this with minimum impact to costs and the operation.
• Accountable for Daily VMI Customer Management regarding gathering of Daily Forecasts, Daily Forecast Tracker & escalation of no forecast or ‘exceptional’ forecasts.
• Daily Management, update and distribution of Washout List and Register.
• Recording and actioning of defects or breakdowns.
• Deputise in absence of Transport Planner.

What We’re Looking For:

Knowledge

• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to persuade and influence colleagues at all levels.
• Able to work autonomously yet able to collaborate with a wider team.
• Network effectively, negotiate well and influence people, broker relationships with key customer stakeholders.
• Strong communication skills both verbal and written.
• Understand contracted SLA/KPI’s and associated reporting mechanisms.
• Realise cost saving opportunities.
• Establish and maintain sound working relationships, offering constant support to the business and customer.
• Ability to balance conflicting priorities
• Ability to adapt in a fast changing environment.
• Methodical and organised approach to work, being able to prioritise effectively.
• Attention to detail/accuracy.
• Flexible attitude and approach.
• Excellent IT skills (Excel, Word and Outlook) with the ability to learn new systems.
• A flexible team-based approach.

Experience

• Understanding compiling and creating a Transport Delivery Plan.
• Sound geographical knowledge.
• The ability to take ownership of issues & work
• Understanding of Driver WTD Hours.
• Understanding of vehicle compliance.
• History of managing supplier relationships.
• Good general proactive communicator.
• Financial awareness.
• Vehicle planning experience.
• Working in a challenging office environment.

Qualifications

• A good standard of formal education.
• International & UK CPC holder (Preferred not desirable).

Benefits:

• £35862 annual salary
• Healthcare scheme
• On-site parking
• Employee referral programme

Additional Info:
Candidates must be able to reliably commute to or relocate to Newark-on-Trent

Apply today to join a team that values reliability, efficiency, and teamwork in delivering logistics excellence.