Assistant Transport Manager

About the Company

Keelings is a family-run Irish business focused on fresh produce. With operations spanning Ireland, the UK, and Europe, the company grows, sources, and delivers high-quality fruit and vegetables. Its growth is driven by innovation, sustainability, and lasting partnerships, supported by a committed workforce.

Role Purpose

This position supports the Transport Manager in running a busy, compliant, and efficient fresh produce transport operation. The Assistant Transport Manager helps keep a fleet of more than 50 vehicles and over 50 drivers moving smoothly, while protecting cold-chain standards, maintaining service quality, and improving day-to-day transport performance.

The role calls for a practical, hands-on leader who can manage the transport function when the Transport Manager is unavailable.

Operational Support and Transport Delivery

• Work alongside the Transport Manager to maintain daily transport activities and achieve on-time, in-full delivery targets.
• Help organise routing, scheduling, and vehicle deployment across both day and night shifts.
• Track live deliveries and handle operational disruptions such as delays, vehicle failures, and customer complaints.
• Keep transport, warehouse, and customer service teams aligned through clear communication.
• Contribute to contingency planning during busy periods or service interruptions.

Driver Leadership and Team Support

• Support the supervision and coordination of a driver team of more than 50, ensuring schedules, procedures, and company standards are followed.
• Assist with monitoring performance, offering coaching, and applying corrective action when needed.
• Help run driver briefings and debriefings so priorities and issues are clearly communicated.
• Encourage a workplace culture built on safety, accountability, and professionalism.
• Assist with the induction and onboarding of new drivers.

Compliance, Legal, and Safety

• Help ensure adherence to EU driving hours rules, tachograph requirements, and Working Time Directive obligations.
• Monitor and report infringements, and support follow-up actions to resolve them.
• Maintain accurate fleet and driver compliance records, including licences, CPCs, and required documents.
• Support cold-chain and food safety controls, including HACCP principles where relevant.
• Assist with incident reports, accident investigations, and insurance paperwork.

Fleet and Maintenance Coordination

• Help plan vehicle inspections, servicing, and maintenance in line with fleet needs.
• Support breakdown procedures to reduce vehicle downtime.
• Work with maintenance suppliers and lease partners to ensure repairs and servicing happen promptly.
• Check vehicle cleanliness, roadworthiness, and overall presentation standards.

Systems, Telematics, and Reporting

• Use telematics tools to review driver behaviour, fuel efficiency, route compliance, and safety performance.
• Assist with temperature monitoring systems to protect cold-chain integrity on all deliveries.
• Support KPI monitoring and performance reporting for the transport function.
• Provide data and observations that help drive ongoing improvement.

Customer Service and Stakeholder Communication

• Serve as a key contact for transport queries and delivery-related issues.
• Maintain effective working relationships with internal teams such as warehouse and commercial departments.
• Ensure service failures are escalated quickly and corrective actions are put in place.

Cost Control and Efficiency

• Support efforts to improve transport efficiency, lower costs, and make better use of resources.
• Monitor fuel consumption, driver behaviour, and vehicle utilisation.
• Contribute to improvement projects aimed at reducing cost per delivery and raising service standards.

Health, Safety, and Compliance Culture

• Promote a strong health and safety mindset across transport operations.
• Help deliver toolbox talks, safety briefings, and compliance updates.
• Ensure drivers and transport staff work safely at all times.
• Support readiness for internal and external audits or inspections.

Deputising Duties

• Cover for the Transport Manager during periods of absence to keep operations running.
• Take operational decisions when required.
• Escalate critical issues appropriately and make sure essential transport tasks continue.

Essential Experience and Skills

• Background in transport, logistics, or distribution.
• Good understanding of transport operations and multi-drop delivery work.
• Working knowledge of EU drivers’ hours rules and tachograph compliance.
• Clear communication and strong people skills.
• Ability to stay composed and effective in a busy operational setting.
• Strong organisation and problem-solving ability.
• Collaborative mindset with a proactive, hands-on approach.

Desirable Experience

• Experience in FMCG, food service, or temperature-controlled logistics.
• Exposure to telematics platforms or transport management systems.
• Understanding of cold-chain logistics and food safety standards.
• CPC qualification, or progress toward one.

Benefits

• Employee discount at Keelings Farm Shop and a subsidised canteen.
• Free on-site parking, including access to electric vehicle chargers.
• Wellness initiatives such as wellness week.

Company Values

• People Matter
• Teamwork
• Integrity
• Passion for Achievement

Inclusion and Diversity

Keelings values the different experiences and perspectives that colleagues bring to the business. The company is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where people from all cultures and backgrounds feel respected, included, and able to belong.

Reasonable Accommodation

If you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, you can request support by emailing [email protected].

Recruitment Process

• CV submission followed by an acknowledgment email
• Phone screening
• First interview
• Second interview
• Outcome and feedback