Regional Haulage Operations Manager

Regional Haulage Operations Manager
Location: Leeds and Quarrington, with regional travel
Reporting to: Regional General Manager
We’re looking for an experienced Regional Haulage Operations Manager to lead Panda’s articulated transport operation across Leeds and Quarrington.
You’ll run a substantial fleet of artic units and walking-floor trailers, alongside a network of subcontracted hauliers. The operation spans multiple operating centres and includes more than 100 employees and drivers. You’ll be responsible for safe, compliant service delivery while improving vehicle utilisation, controlling costs and developing your team.
What you’ll be doing

Lead day-to-day haulage operations across Leeds and Quarrington.
Plan drivers, vehicles, trailers and subcontracted capacity to meet customer and operational demand.
Maintain compliance with Operator Licence undertakings, DVSA requirements, drivers’ hours, Working Time Regulations and tachograph rules.
Work with fleet and workshop teams to keep vehicles available, maintained and fit for use.
Manage approved subcontracted hauliers, checking their compliance, service performance and costs.
Monitor vehicle utilisation, fuel, telematics, driver standards, service levels and transport spend.
Lead transport and safety incident investigations, and ensure corrective actions are completed.
Oversee inspections, audits, risk assessments and safe working procedures.
Lead and develop a large team, setting clear expectations for safety, service and performance.
Manage budgets covering labour, fuel, subcontractors, fleet and maintenance.
Improve productivity and profitability, and support contract mobilisation and business growth.What we’re looking for
You’ll need:
Significant experience managing a large articulated haulage operation.
Experience leading transport teams across more than one site or operating centre.
Strong knowledge of Operator Licence obligations and road transport compliance.
Experience managing subcontracted hauliers as well as an employed driver workforce.
A track record of improving safety, service, fleet utilisation and costs.
Experience managing operational budgets and contributing to P&L performance.
A practical approach to leading people and solving operational problems.
A National Transport Manager CPC and full UK driving licence.Experience with walking-floor trailers, bulk haulage or waste transport would be useful. An IOSH Managing Safely qualification would also be an advantage.
How success will be measured
Success in this role will be reflected in safe and compliant operations, reliable customer service, vehicle availability and utilisation, driver retention, subcontractor performance, cost control and budget results.
We are Panda. We value waste.
Join us as Regional Haulage Operations Manager and take ownership of a complex artic operation where your decisions will have a direct impact on service, safety and commercial performance.

About The Company
We are Panda. We value waste.
We’re in the business of waste management but that doesn’t just mean collecting bins. Behind every collection is a passionate team of people finding smarter, safer, and more sustainable ways to recycle and repurpose materials that would otherwise go to waste.
Over the past 30 years, Panda has grown into a leading resource recovery business, bringing together almost 3,000 people across multiple brands, united by a shared vision and strong values. While our operations are diverse, our purpose is clear: to protect our people, support our customers, and create positive impact for the communities and environments we serve.
At Panda, people are at the heart of everything we do. We work as one team, combining different skills, experiences, and perspectives to achieve shared goals. We care for each other’s wellbeing, encourage development, and support growth because we know we’re stronger together.
We expect excellence in how we operate. High standards, bold thinking, and continuous improvement drive our passion for innovation. We challenge the ordinary, put safety first, and embrace new ideas while delivering practical, cost-effective solutions that move our business forward.
We own what we do. From day-to-day tasks to major projects, we take pride in our work and responsibility for the outcome. We don’t walk past problems we address them together. Our expertise, reliability, and care reflect who we are and the difference we make.
And above all, we act with trust and integrity. Trust is built through open communication, honesty, and accountability. It allows us to move quickly, make confident decisions, and deliver results — knowing our people are empowered to do the right thing.
Our journey depends on talented, committed people who want to make an impact.
Take the first step and join us on the journey.
 
Panda is committed to attracting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we operate and the people we serve.
(DE&I Policy Statement)