Operations Manager – Transport & Logistics

Port Kennedy , Perth WA

Full Time | Permanent

Competitive Salary + Super + Vehicle + Performance Bonus

The Opportunity CGC Recruitment is partnering with an established privately owned WA business to recruit an experienced Operations Manager for a key leadership position within its transport and operational division.

This is a broad operational role with responsibility for a sizeable workforce operating across transport, fleet, dispatch, workshop and associated site-based activities.

Reporting into senior management, you will be responsible for ensuring the operation performs safely, efficiently and commercially while maintaining a consistently high level of service to customers.

The position will suit an experienced transport or logistics leader who enjoys being close to the operation, developing frontline leaders and finding practical ways to improve performance.

The Role You will have responsibility for a diverse operation incorporating transport, heavy vehicles, plant and equipment, dispatch, workshop activities and customer delivery.

A significant part of the position will be developing the leadership capability beneath you, creating greater accountability across the operation and ensuring different departments work effectively together.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Lead and develop a large operational and blue-collar workforce through supervisors and operational leaders.
• Maintain a strong focus on WHS, Chain of Responsibility and operational compliance.
• Oversee day-to-day transport, fleet, dispatch and site performance.
• Ensure customer commitments and delivery requirements are consistently achieved.
• Monitor fleet and asset utilisation, availability and downtime.
• Manage operational costs, labour, budgets, KPIs and performance reporting.
• Build capability and accountability across supervisors and frontline leaders.
• Support workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, training and performance management.
• Develop strong working relationships with customers, suppliers and subcontractors.
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce costs and streamline operational processes.
• Support improvements across business systems, communication and reporting.
• Take ownership of operational issues and ensure they are resolved safely, efficiently and commercially.

About You:

We are looking for a practical and commercially minded operations leader who is comfortable managing a busy, multi-faceted environment.

You may currently be working as an Operations Manager, Transport Manager, Regional Operations Manager, Logistics Manager or in a similar senior operational leadership position.

Ideally, you will bring:

• Leadership experience within transport, logistics, civil, construction materials, earthmoving, industrial services or a comparable operational environment.
• Experience managing a sizeable operational or blue-collar workforce.
• Proven experience leading supervisors, team leaders or operational managers.
• Strong knowledge of WHS and Chain of Responsibility requirements.
• Exposure to heavy vehicles, fleet, plant, workshop or asset management.
• Experience managing budgets, labour costs and operational KPIs.
• Strong commercial awareness and an understanding of the relationship between operational decisions, customer service and profitability.
• Demonstrated success improving safety, service, productivity or cost performance.
• Strong customer, supplier and stakeholder-management capability.
• Confidence working with transport, fleet and operational systems.
• The ability to develop people, establish clear expectations and hold teams accountable.

Most importantly, you will be a visible and approachable leader who is equally comfortable reviewing performance and costs as you are walking the operation and engaging with the workforce.

Relevant qualifications across logistics, transport, operations, business or WHS will be viewed favourably, as will an HR licence and experience working with transport or fleet management systems.

Working Environment The position is based in Perth's southern suburbs, with regular travel between operational locations across the Perth metropolitan area and occasional regional travel.

The business operates across extended transport and operational hours, so you will need the flexibility expected of a senior operational leadership position. You will not be expected to be onsite for the entire operating window, but you will ultimately be responsible for ensuring the right leadership and operational coverage is in place.

This is a highly visible position and will suit someone who wants to remain connected to the day-to-day operation rather than manage purely from an office.