Head of Transport

Head of Transport

At Lanes Group nothing is more important than the health, safety and well-being of our people and our customers. It's a major reason we are the UK's largest independent specialist infrastructure delivery partner of choice with a turnover fast approaching £700 million with an EBITDA £68 million, with almost 4,500 brilliant people and a countrywide network of operational locations. Our services cover the majority of the FTSE 100 & 250 respectfully, added to this, we are the market leader in Regulated Wastewater Utilities.

Strong leadership being at our heart, supporting our people ensuring they are engaged with purpose, rewarded and recognised whilst delivering absolute exacting operational excellence being a leading entity and enviable delivery team embracing quality and compliance in our overarching delivery, one of our fundamental key differentiators.

In this critical role of ensuring our organisation is known for being the best in everything we do, known for leaving a legacy of absolute quality and compliance and keeping our promises at all times is our absolute mantra.

We operate 24/7 and as such you are required to work flexible hours, weekends and participate in an on call rota. Full training/PPE/use of company equipment will be provided to ensure that all our drainage engineers have the right tools, competency and confidence to undertake the work to Lanes' high standard of operation regardless of background or previous experience.

The Head of Transport provides strategic, operational, and evidence led leadership of the Regulated Water - South transport function, ensuring safe, compliant, efficient, and sustainable fleet operations. The role applies data driven analysis, systems thinking, and continuous improvement methodologies to optimise fleet performance, manage risk, control costs, and reduce environmental impact.

As a senior leader, the Head of Transport contributes directly to corporate strategy, leads transport transformation initiatives, embeds ESG principles, and develops a high performing workforce while maintaining strong relationships with clients, regulators, and key stakeholders.

Position: Head of Transport

Location: Customer Solutions Centre, Slough Head Office (Slough, Berkshire). You will be required to travel across the South of the UK.

Job Type: permanent, full time

Hours: Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours per week (8:30am - 5pm)

Salary: Negotiable, depending upon experience

Benefits: 24 days holiday (plus bank holidays); private health insurance; onsite parking; onsite restaurant; auto enrolment pension scheme; wellbeing support; company car.

About the Role: Due to continued growth and development, we are now looking for a transport orientated individual to join us in our Waste Network Division to deliver real and effective solutions to people-oriented problems. Your responsibilities will cover the following:

Strategic Transport Leadership & Systems Design

• Maintain, develop and implement comprehensive transport strategies aligned with corporate objectives and client requirements.
• Apply systems thinking, operational research, and performance modelling to transport network and fleet design.
• Translate corporate strategy into measurable transport outcomes using defined KPIs and performance frameworks.
• Lead optimisation of fleet deployment, resource allocation, and operational capacity through data analysis and scenario planning.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to resolve complex transport challenges using structured problem solving methodologies.
• Lead transport transformation and modernisation initiatives using formal project and change management disciplines.

Transport Operations & Performance Optimisation

• Provide executive oversight of day to day transport operations to ensure service continuity, efficiency, and resilience.
• Maximise fleet utilisation while maintaining safety, compliance, and service quality.
• Implement continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean and Six Sigma to reduce waste and variability.
• Establish real time performance dashboards and control systems.
• Use predictive analytics to anticipate operational risks, demand fluctuations, and maintenance requirements.

Fleet Management & Asset Lifecycle Control

• Manage the fleet across its full lifecycle, including specification, acquisition, utilisation, maintenance, renewal, and disposal.
• Oversee preventative and predictive maintenance programmes to ensure asset reliability and availability.
• Manage telematics, vehicle diagnostics, and fuel monitoring systems to analyse performance and driver behaviour.
• Ensure all vehicles meet regulatory and compliance requirements, including inspections and testing.
• Develop and deliver fleet modernisation programmes, including electrification and low emission technologies aligned with ESG targets.

Compliance, Risk & Safety Management

• Ensure full compliance with Operator's Licence and all relevant transport, health and safety, and environmental and legal legislation.
• Manage and oversee all Operator licence applications, including stakeholder management.
• Monitor driver hours, tachograph data, and working time compliance.
• Apply risk assessment, human factors, and safety science principles to identify and mitigate operational risk.
• Conduct structured audits, inspections, and assurance activities.
• Lead incident and accident investigations with the wider team, ensuring root causes are identified and corrective actions implemented.
• Promote a proactive, learning based safety culture.

Supplier, Contractor & Network Management

• Lead strategic relationships with vehicle suppliers, leasing providers, fuel suppliers, and maintenance contractors.
• Negotiate contracts using data led procurement and total cost of ownership analysis.
• Establish and monitor SLAs and supplier performance metrics.
• Drive continuous improvement across the supplier and contractor network.

Financial Control, Cost Optimisation & Value Engineering

• Develop and manage the transport function budget and financial forecasts.
• Analyse key cost drivers including fuel, maintenance, labour, leasing, and downtime.
• Implement route optimisation, efficiency programmes, and value engineering initiatives.
• Ensure strong financial governance, transparency, and return on investment.

People Management, Capability Building & Human Performance

• Lead recruitment, onboarding, workforce planning, and succession strategies.
• Develop structured training and competence frameworks for drivers and transport staff.
• Apply behavioural science and human performance principles to improve safety, compliance, and engagement.
• Monitor and manage performance, conduct, and compliance issues using objective metrics.
• Create a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and professional development.

Reporting, Analytics & Knowledge Management

• Produce and present comprehensive transport performance reports for senior leadership and clients.
• Integrate operational, financial, safety, and ESG data into clear performance insights.
• Leverage telematics, analytics, and business intelligence tools to support decision making.
• Maintain accurate, auditable records of fleet activity, compliance checks, incidents, and maintenance.

Stakeholder, Client & Regulatory Engagement

• Act as the senior transport interface with internal teams including Operations, HSQE, HR, Finance, and Commercial.
• Build strong, data informed relationships with clients to ensure transparency and service confidence.
• Represent the organisation in industry forums, regulatory discussions, and stakeholder negotiations.
• Maintain active engagement with regulators and monitor legislative and best practice developments.
• Maintain and manage Interested parties as defined in our BSI ISO22301.

ESG, Sustainability & Future Mobility

• Embed Environmental, Social, and Governance principles into transport strategy and operations.
• Lead initiatives to reduce emissions, improve energy efficiency, and enhance environmental performance.
• Support fleet electrification and adoption of sustainable transport technologies.
• Measure, monitor, and report transport related environmental and social impact.

Additional

• Be aware of all Lanes Group policies and your responsibilities towards them.
• Any other reasonable ad hoc duties, tasks or projects as requested by management.

So if you enjoy delivering only the best in fleet service, where no two days are the same and want to join a growing company that not only values you and your ability - but also strives to develop your potential and further your career progression, then we are the right company for you.

What is essential is the ability to work safely to quickly diagnose and deliver practical and efficient solutions to attain the highest levels of service for our customers.

About You: The ideal candidate will:

• Have a Transport Manager CPC Qualification
• Ideally have IOSH/NEBOSH, previous managerial experience and Project Management experience
• Have great interpersonal skills to create relationships within Lanes Group, our clients and suppliers
• Have the ability to deal with people at different levels
• Have excellent knowledge of Microsoft 365
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