Transport Manager

Morgan McKinley is delighted to be partnering with a key client on an exciting opportunity for an experienced Transport Manager to join their team in Cork.

This is a pivotal role within the organisation, offering the successful candidate the opportunity to play a key part in supporting continued business growth while ensuring operational excellence and maintaining a strong customer-first culture.

As Transport Manager, you will take responsibility for the day-to-day management of the transport and distribution operation, leading a team to deliver a safe, efficient and consistently high-quality service to customers.

The Role

Reporting into the senior operations team, you will oversee all transport activities within the depot, ensuring that routes are planned and dispatched efficiently and that customer deliveries are completed to the highest possible standard.

You will be a hands-on and visible leader, responsible for developing your team, driving performance, maintaining transport compliance and ensuring that health, safety and company standards are consistently achieved.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Transport Management and Distribution team, providing clear direction, support and motivation.
• Coordinate all transport activities to ensure the smooth and efficient running of the depot.
• Oversee the daily dispatch of routes and products, ensuring deliveries are completed efficiently and in line with customer expectations.
• Coach, develop and motivate members of the delivery team to achieve consistently high standards.
• Work closely with Sales, Transport and Operations teams to identify and resolve issues quickly and effectively.
• Partner with Sales teams to develop efficient and effective delivery schedules.
• Ensure all transport policies, procedures and operational standards are consistently followed.
• Oversee vehicle maintenance, repairs and equipment issues, ensuring downtime is minimised and issues are reported and addressed promptly.
• Ensure company vehicles are properly maintained, clean and safely operated, supporting both road safety and the company's professional brand.
• Manage daily Backhaul collections, ensuring agreed schedules and requirements are consistently met.
• Maintain transport compliance to industry-leading standards, including relevant Department of Transport legislation.
• Identify training requirements and coordinate the delivery of appropriate training and development initiatives.
• Ensure all Security, Health & Safety and operational procedures are adhered to at all times.
• Lead by example, applying company policies and procedures fairly, consistently and professionally.
• Drive a strong customer-focused culture across the transport and distribution operation.

About You

The successful candidate will be an experienced transport or distribution professional with a strong track record of managing teams within a fast-paced, high-volume environment.

You will ideally bring:

• 3+ years' experience in a relevant transport management or supervisory position within a high-volume, technology-driven, time-sensitive, multi-drop distribution environment.
• Experience within the food distribution or FMCG sector would be advantageous.
• A full, clean driving licence. A Management CPC would be advantageous.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Outlook, Excel and Word.
• Proven experience leading and developing teams to deliver high standards of service and operational performance.
• A hands-on approach, with strong decision-making and problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent organisational and planning skills, with the ability to prioritise effectively in a busy operational environment.
• The ability to analyse, interpret and communicate operational and business data.
• Fluent written and spoken English.
• A high degree of flexibility, resilience and adaptability.
• Strong knowledge of Department of Transport regulations, including Tachograph legislation and Working Time Directive requirements.
• Strong geographical knowledge of Cork and the surrounding areas.

Key Competencies

Customer Focus
A strong understanding of internal and external customer requirements, with the ability to anticipate needs and ensure the customer remains at the centre of operational decision-making.

Flexibility & Adaptability
Comfortable operating in a changing environment, anticipating challenges and supporting teams effectively through operational or organisational change.

Relationship Building
A collaborative and approachable leadership style, with the ability to build strong working relationships across Transport, Sales, Operations and wider business functions.

Communication & Listening
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with colleagues, customers and stakeholders at all levels of the organisation.