Head of Transport - Derby

Head of Transport jobs

Logistics is all about moving things from A to B, so having people in constant touch with the transport that does the moving is essential. Enter the head of transport, the logistics company’s hand on the tiller of the whole fleet.

The head of transport’s job is many-pronged: keeping the transport arm running in keeping with the company’s aims and policies; managing the personnel who drive, maintain and administrate the vehicles; keeping on the right side of the law in this heavily legislated sector; achieving or and maintaining customer satisfaction; and maintaining and seeking out efficiencies wherever possible whilst sticking to the aforementioned requirements.

In summary, if the fleet is running safely and profitably and customer complaints are minimised or eliminated, the head of transport is doing a good job. The degree of scope that there is for using the budget in the way that she or sees deems best will depend on the employer, but as with any management job there will usually be some freedom to control the budget from the best possible viewpoint.

The skills required

A strong eye for maintaining cost efficiencies will be a key skill, so someone with experience of running a busy department or section will be at an advantage for this role. Experience of dealing with the legal side of transportation, from road safety law to import and export law will be important.

An ability to think on one’s feet will be required, as such a 24/7 job as managing a transport fleet can throw up problems at any time of day, and not always through the fault of the transport head. If the head of transport can show that they are able to remedy problems to the satisfaction of clients, they will quickly become a valued member of the management team.

Heads of transport must be team players who can work well under pressure and who know when to delegate work to trusted individuals.

Head of Transport Jobs in Derby

Located on the River Derwent in Derbyshire, Derby is among England's 20 largest urban areas and the broad range of businesses based there today make it a great option for those seeking new Head of Transport vacancies.

Derby's history goes back to a Roman settlement called Derventio and the area was home to Saxon and Viking communities during its early years.

The Industrial Revolution marked an important turning point for Derby and the city was the first to reap the benefits of a water-powered silk mill in the early 1700s.

Other innovations later in the century led to improved techniques for manufacturing stockings. In addition, a number of cotton spinning mills were established.

Within 100 years, Derby had become an important industrialised city as well as the headquarters for a number of regional railways.

Rolls-Royce established a factory in 1907, constructing cars and aircraft, while the Derby railway works was a bustling facility that designed and built rolling stock for the nation's growing rail system. Indeed, the first diesel-electric locomotive was produced there in 1948.

There's no doubt that Derby's past has influenced its future and today its top employers continue to be based in automotive manufacture and railway engineering. These include Rolls-Royce, Toyota and Bombardier Transportation.

Other well-known companies include Egg, an internet banking company, and Alstom, a company that manufactures boilers and heat exchangers for industrial purposes. Meanwhile, the chocolate company Thorntons is headquartered in nearby Alfreton.

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Cast UK’s logistics opportunities

Cast UK have jobs in every county and every city of the UK, so we are well placed to find you work in logistics, procurement or supply chain wherever you are located or wherever you plan to locate. If you’re moving house, please see if there are any positions available in the area you’re moving to; and if you’re simply looking for more fulfilment in your working life, there’s more than likely an employer who’s looking for the skills you have.

We were founded by logistics, supply chain and procurement specialists, and our consultants are all from these backgrounds too, so we have in-depth knowledge of what employers and candidates are looking for. Employers come to us to find candidates because they’re confident that we’ll help them find the most appropriate managers and executives.

Once we have your details, we’ll be able to start matching you with positions as soon as they arise, so do get in touch if you’re looking for a job in logistics.

To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Head of Transport for your business or find you a job as a Head of Transport then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.

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