Transport Operations Director

Job Description

Location:

McCulla (Ireland) Ltd, Blaris Industrial Estate, 5 Altona Road

With over 55 years’ experience in the logistics industry McCulla Ireland are one of the country’s leading providers of ambient, chilled and frozen logistics solutions throughout Ireland, the United Kingdom and Europe.

We currently have Operating Centres across Northern Ireland and Ireland, with further plans for expansion. McCulla has over 300 employees working across our Transport, Warehousing, Customs and Green Bioenergy Operations. There is an ever-growing modern fleet consisting of over 120 vehicles and 200 trailers operating our just in time service with environmental sustainability at the forefront of everything we do and making us unique in the market for our customers.

The Transport Operations Director will play a key role in shaping the future of the McCulla Transport business, as we continue to maximise the current operations and expand for future growth. As Transport Operations Director you will provide strategic leadership, operational excellence, and commercial oversight for all transport activities across the UK & Ireland. You will ensure safe, compliant, efficient, and customer-focused transport operations while driving continuous improvement, network optimisation, and cost-effectiveness.

• Developing and delivering a transport strategy aligned to the overall business objectives for the regions.
• Lead transformation initiatives to optimise the transport network, improve service performance, and reduce operational costs.
• Forecasting of future capacity requirements and identifying investment or capability needs across the department.
• Overseeing the daily performance of all transport operations, ensuring KPIs and SLAs are achieved.
• Ensuring full compliance with transport legislation regulatory frameworks, and safety standards.
• Manage fleet strategy, including procurement, utilisation, maintenance, and our continued sustainability initiatives.
• Implement best-in-class routing, planning, and transport management systems to optimise performance.
• Leading, managing and motivating the transport team to deliver on the strategic and operational objectives. Fostering a high-performance culture focused on accountability, safety, and customer service.
• Ownership of the transport budget for the region, ensuring cost control, accurate forecasting, and financial performance.
• Lead commercial evaluations for strategic transport decisions including outsourcing, partnerships, and supplier selection.
• Support the bid, tender, and customer solutions process with transport expertise and cost modelling in conjunction with our commercial team.
• You will drive innovation through digital tools, automation, telematics, and real-time visibility solutions.
• Lead our sustainability and carbon-reduction projects within the transport function.
• Build strong relationships with key customers, suppliers, regulatory bodies, and internal stakeholders.
• Represent the transport function at senior leadership forums.
• Act as the point of escalation for significant service issues or operational disruptions.

• Senior management or director-level experience in transport operations within a complex, multi-site environment.
• Proven track record of leading large transport teams across the UK & Ireland.
• Deep knowledge of UK & Irish transport regulations, road safety standards, and O-licence compliance.
• Demonstrable experience with cost control, fleet optimisation, and strategic planning.
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience with transport management systems (TMS), telematics, and route optimisation tools.
• Professional qualifications such as CPC in Transport Management, ILM Level 7, or equivalent.
• Experience driving sustainability and alternative-fuel fleet strategies.
• Background in digital transformation or automation in logistics environments.

• Highly competitive salary package depending on experience.
• Performance related bonus scheme.
• Company car.
• Private Health Care & Travel Insurance.
• Matched employee / employer pension contribution.
• Additional Annual Leave (Service…