Head of Haulage

Location: Cranford Road, Kettering
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
Hours: Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week (flexible between 7am and 6pm)

Interaction Recruitment is working with a well-established, fourth-generation family-owned business to recruit an experienced Head of Haulage to lead and develop its specialist heavy goods transport division.

With a heritage spanning over 90 years and a workforce of approximately 200 employees, the Group operates across several sectors, including equipment, construction and manufacturing. Its haulage division supports both internal Group operations and external customers, providing a responsive and competitive transport service.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced transport professional to take ownership of a growing haulage operation, combining hands-on operational management with strategic leadership and business development.

The Role

Reporting directly to the Group Managing Director, you will have overall responsibility for the successful day-to-day running and future development of the haulage division.

You will lead a team of HGV drivers and office-based staff, ensuring transport operations are efficient, commercially successful and fully compliant with all relevant legislation. Alongside managing operational performance, you will play a key role in shaping the division's growth strategy, developing customer relationships and identifying new business opportunities.

This is a varied, senior management position requiring someone who can balance operational detail with commercial thinking and strategic leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Management

• Oversee all daily transport operations, including fleet management, vehicle scheduling, driver allocation and route planning.

• Ensure transport activities operate efficiently, meeting customer expectations and agreed KPIs and SLAs.

• Identify opportunities to improve vehicle utilisation, maximise backloads and reduce operational costs.

• Oversee vehicle maintenance programmes, ensuring MOTs, servicing, roadworthiness and vehicle documentation are kept up to date.

• Monitor tachograph records, driver hours and working time compliance, addressing any issues through appropriate training and support.

• Implement and improve transport management systems, processes and operational procedures.

• Maintain accurate records relating to vehicles, drivers, schedules and completed deliveries.

Leadership & Business Development

• Provide strong leadership and direction to the transport and office teams, developing a positive, accountable and inclusive working environment.

• Drive the strategic development and growth of the haulage division.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with existing customers, identifying opportunities to increase business and secure repeat work.

• Identify and develop new commercial opportunities, expanding the customer base and strengthening the division's market presence.

• Work closely with Group Directors and other business divisions to support wider operational requirements and growth plans.

• Take responsibility for budgeting, cost control, capital expenditure and financial performance.

• Report regularly to the Group Managing Director on operational performance, commercial opportunities and strategic development.

Compliance, Health & Safety

• Ensure full compliance with the Operator's Licence, CPC requirements and all relevant transport legislation.

• Maintain compliance with driver regulations, tachograph legislation, vehicle safety and maintenance requirements.

• Oversee FORS compliance and ensure all relevant documentation and records are maintained.

• Promote a proactive health and safety culture across the transport operation.

• Ensure company policies and procedures are implemented and consistently followed.

• Investigate accidents and incidents, ensuring appropriate reporting, corrective actions and preventative measures are taken.

• Maintain strong working relationships with relevant regulatory bodies and external agencies.

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for an experienced transport or haulage professional with the commercial awareness, operational expertise and leadership ability to take responsibility for a growing business.

You will ideally have:

• A valid CPC Transport Manager qualification (essential).

• Proven experience managing a transport or haulage operation, including HGV drivers and support staff.

• Strong knowledge of UK transport legislation, Operator's Licence requirements and driver compliance.

• Experience managing fleet maintenance, vehicle availability and heavy goods vehicle operations.

• A good understanding of transport costs, budgeting and operational financial performance.

• Experience monitoring KPIs, improving efficiency and optimising fleet utilisation.

• Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to motivate and develop a team.

• A commercially focused approach, with the confidence to develop customer relationships and identify new business opportunities.

• Excellent organisational, communication and problem-solving skills.

• Good IT skills, particularly Microsoft Excel and Outlook.

Desirable:

• HGV Class 1 and/or Class 2 driving licence.

• Experience using Transport Management Systems such as Qargo or Samsara.

• Knowledge of Sage 200.

• Experience working within a family-owned or multi-division business.

What's on Offer?

• Competitive salary, dependent on experience.

• 24 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays.

• Company pension contribution.

• Opportunities for personal and professional development.

• Employee recognition scheme, including an annual awards ceremony.

• Bi-annual company social events.

• Weekly B-Fit group fitness sessions.

This is an exciting opportunity for an established Transport Manager or senior haulage professional looking to take the next step into a broader General Management role, with the autonomy to influence operations, develop a team and drive business growth.

If you have the experience and ambition to lead a growing haulage operation, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today through Interaction Recruitment.

INDKTT

Contact information

Angela Bailey