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Head of Transport - Booker Distribution

Booker Distribution Logo
Job ref: 27615 Category: Distribution Managers
  • Pound icon Salary Competitive
  • Location icon Location Hatfield Business Park, Frobisher Way, Hatfield
  • Suitcase icon Contract Type Permanent
  • Time icon Hours 38
  • Closing icon Closing Date
  • Business icon Business Unit Booker Distribution

51.7739, -0.250234

Location icon Hatfield Business Park, Frobisher Way, Hatfield AL10 9TR

About the role

Are you a strategic leader with a passion for logistics and operational excellence? Booker, the UK’s leading wholesaler, is seeking a dynamic and experienced professional to take on the pivotal role of Head of Transport. This is a high-impact, national-level position with full responsibility for the development, performance, and maintenance of our transport fleet operations.

In this role, you will lead the transformation and continuous improvement of our transport services, ensuring they are efficient, reliable, and aligned with our business goals. You’ll be instrumental in maximising service quality, operational performance, and profitability—while driving innovation and sustainability across our fleet.

We’re looking for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, complex environment and can inspire teams to deliver outstanding results. If you’re ready to shape the future of transport at Booker and make a real difference, we’d love to hear from you.

As a National role, this can be based in any of our nine Distribution Centres.

Main Responsibilities

  • Leading the Transport function so that it is Health, Safe & Legal including keeping up to date with all relevant legislative changes.
  • Ensuring Driver & Fleet compliance for the Booker Group is always adhered to (circa 1800 vehicles), including the Operating Licence for the fleet and Quarterly compliance updates for the Executive committee.
  • Management of the Transport Audit Programme for the Booker Group and associated dashboard to support the SLT.
  • Management of the Insurance & reporting via the nominated provider
  • Management of volume & responding to changes
  • Accountability for the Primary Transport budget (£10m) including supplier management and dashboard reporting.
  • Prepare and bring to tender contracts for services and equipment with Tesco Procurement. 
  • Operational accountability for Transport 3PL relationships.
  • Agree & promote sustainability plan and support Group Net Zero Plan
  • The role holder may be asked to undertake other duties, as required, which are not necessarily specified.  It may be amended from time to time within the scope and general level of responsibility attached to this role.
  • Booker is committed to ensuring it is a place where everyone can feel welcome and our Code of Business Conduct and Equal Opportunities policy’s sets out our expectations and commitment to this.   All colleagues are expected to fully observe this.  
  • Taking care for the health and safety of yourself and others who may be affected by your actions and being responsible for ensuring all our operations are free from hazards and reported when identified.  
  • Lead your team, manage performance and progression, and support team development, ensuring effective succession plans are in place and maintained.
  • Champion diversity and inclusion to ensure everyone feels welcome at Booker.
  • Motivate your team with clear expectations and provide recognition.

You will need

Operational skills relevant for this job

  • Full and up to date knowledge of Transport Legislation
  • Previous experience leading a Transport function/unit
  • Has managed high Volume operations
  • Can demonstrate good Budgetary control
  • Priority focus on Safety compliance
  • Excellent Leadership skills 
  • A drive for KPI excellence

Experience relevant for this job:

  • Excellent Transport Operational knowledge
  • Great understanding of Supplier ways of working
  • Previous negotiation experience
  • Ability to build a budget
  • Understanding of DC operations
  • Continuous improvement outlook

What's in it for you

At Booker, along with being a great place to work and giving you an opportunity to get on in your career, we also offer the following fantastic package of benefits:

  • A Booker colleague card with 10% off purchases at Booker and double discount events up to three times a year.
  • After 3 months service, a Tesco colleague discount card with 10% increasing to 15% off most purchases at Tesco for a 4 day period after every four-weekly pay day, ie. thirteen times a year. In addition to 10% off at Tesco Cafe and 20% off all F&F purchases.
  • 10% off pay monthly & SIM only deals with Tesco Mobile for yourself, along with further great deals through-out the year.
  • Up to 30% off car, pet and home insurance at Tesco bank. Terms and conditions apply.
  • Free eye test when you spend £50 or more. You can also save 30% when you spend £50 or more on glasses, prescription sunglasses and contact lenses.
  • 50% off health checks at Tesco Pharmacy.
  • Exclusive access to discounted RAC breakdown cover rates
  • An exclusive deals and discounts website saving you money on everyday purchases including a cycle to work scheme.
  • After 3 months service, you can join our annual Save As You Earn share scheme which allows you to buy Tesco shares in the future at a discount.
  • Retirement savings plan (pension) - save up to 5% and Booker will match your contribution.
  • Life Assurance - You are covered for death in service life cover of up to three times annual pay
  • Health and Wellbeing support and resources including our 24/7, confidential Employee Assistance Programme and Virtual GP for you and your family.
  • A great holiday package
  • Private Health Care 
  • Car cash allowance

Apply now >

About the Company

Booker is the UK's leading food & drink wholesaler. We are privileged to serve independent retailers, caterers and small businesses, from locations across the country.  We operate over 190 cash and carry branches, eight distribution centres, five Best Food Logistics sites, as well as six support centre locations across the UK.

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) at Booker means that whoever you are and whatever your background, we always want you to feel represented and that you can be yourself at work. In short, we’re a place where Everyone’s Welcome.

We know life looks a little different for each of us. That’s why at Booker and Best, we always welcome conversations about flexible working. Some people are at the start of their careers, some want the freedom to do the things they love. Others are going through life-changing moments like becoming a carer, nearing retirement, adapting to parenthood, or something else. So, talk to us throughout your application about how we may be able to support you.

We’re proud that Booker is a Disability Confident Committed employer and we’re committed to providing a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process. For further information on the accessibility support you can expect, please contact recruitment@bookergroup.com  

Please note
We can only accept candidates over the age of 18 if the role requires working before 6:15 am or after 9:45 pm or involves working in areas such as the warehouse, beers, wines & spirits, and driving roles.
On the occasions where we have high volumes of applicants, some roles may close earlier than the advertised end date in order for us to manage all of the applicants appropriately. We will only be able to offer individual feedback to those candidates who attend an interview.
*Booker Group is part of Tesco plc, however, is operated separately from the core Tesco business and as such the benefits offered will be different from those offered at Tesco*

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