Transport & Distribution Supervisor

Position Purpose

The Transport & Distribution Supervisor manages day-to-day fleet operations, driver schedules, and delivery routes to ensure damage-free, on-time delivery of furniture products. This role balances strict regulatory compliance (RSA/Tachograph) with top-tier customer service, serving as the critical link between the warehouse, sales team, drivers, and final customers.

Key Areas of Responsibility

1. Scheduling, Routing & Dispatch

• Optimize daily and weekly delivery schedules for final-mile home deliveries and multi-drop
• Utilize routing software to maximize vehicle capacity and fuel efficiency while minimizing transit times.
• Account for furniture-specific variables (delivery-and-assembly time-on-site).

2. Driver Management & Leadership

• Supervise, brief, and debrief a team of delivery drivers and delivery assistants.
• Manage shift rotas, attendance, annual leave.
• Monitor on-road performance, addressing driving behaviours, missed windows, or delivery delays.

3. Regulatory Compliance (RSA & EU Rules)

• Maintain absolute compliance with Road Safety Authority (RSA) and EU drivers' hours rules.
• Conduct regular tachograph downloads, analyze infringements, and implement corrective training.
• Ensure all vehicles undergo statutory walk-around checks, reporting defects immediately for maintenance.

4. Health, Safety & Environment (HSE)

• Enforce safe loading, strapping, and securing techniques specifically for fragile, high-value furniture to prevent transit damage.
• Oversee safe manual handling practices (heavy lifting, team lifting, and use of carrying straps).

5. Cross-Departmental Collaboration & Customer Resolution

• Act as the point of contact for customer service regarding delivery windows, access issues, or driver delays.
• Resolve escalated final-mile customer issues (e.g., property damage, refusal of delivery, incorrect items).
• Coordinate closely with Production/Warehouse (for loading priorities) and Sales/Customer Care (for delivery timelines).

Standard Daily & Weekly Tasks

Daily Tasks

• Morning Dispatch: Brief drivers on route conditions, load securing, and specific customer access notes.
• Route Monitoring: Track delivery progress in real-time, proactively alerting Customer Service of delays.
• Driver Debrief: Review completed manifests, handle returned furniture stock, and process delivery paperwork (e-PODs).
• Defect Management: Review daily vehicle walk-around check sheets and coordinate urgent repairs with mechanics.
• Customer Escalations: Troubleshoot real-time delivery issues (e.g., tight stairwells, narrow doorways, missing hardware).

Weekly Tasks

• Next-Week Planning: Build and finalize the upcoming week's driver rotas and core delivery routes.
• Compliance Audits: Download and analyse driver card and vehicle unit tachograph data.
• KPI Reporting: Report weekly metrics (On-Time In-Full % (OTIF), vehicle utilization, fuel costs, and damage rates) to the Transport Manager.
• Toolbox Talks: Deliver brief safety training sessions focusing on manual handling and safe furniture unloading.

Candidate Profile & Requirements

• Experience: 3+ years in transport coordination or dispatch supervision, preferably within furniture, , or home delivery logistics.
• Compliance Knowledge: Deep understanding of RSA rules, tachograph management, and transport legislation.
• Tech Savvy: Proficient with Transport Management Systems vehicle tracking/telematics, and routing optimization software.
• Soft Skills: Calm under pressure, excellent conflict-resolution skills for customer complaints, and a firm but fair management style.
• Manual Handling and Health and Safety.: Strong knowledge of manual handling regulations related to large, heavy items.

What We Offer

• Fun, fast paced & high energy work environment
• Culture of developing and promoting from within the company
• Our Generous staff discounts
• Our pension scheme
• Our Bonus Scheme
• Our Educational Support Scheme
• Our Discounted corporate rate health care
• Our free Employee Assistance Programme
• Our wellbeing initiatives like our Bike to work scheme
• Career Development Opportunities
• Continuous professional development with dedicated training resources

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