National Transport Manager

National Transport Manager - Chadwicks Group

Location: Naas Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22

About Us

Chadwicks Group and MacNaughton Blair are market leaders in the builder's merchanting industry in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The core business comprises the Builders Merchants division which main brands include Chadwicks, MacBlair, Cork Builders Providers, Davies and Telfords. In addition, through organic growth and acquisitions the Group have established a range of brands which are close to the core but offer a uniquely different range of products. These include Heiton Steel, Panelling Centre, Morgans Timber, Proline, Sitetech and HSS in the Republic of Ireland and Woodfloor Warehouse and Doorways in Northern Ireland. Chadwicks Group and MacNaughton Blair are part of the Grafton Group PLC.

The Opportunity / Who We Seek

The National Transport Manager is a senior, strategic leadership role responsible for optimising, modernising, and scaling transport operations across a nationwide network of over 50 branches and multiple specialist brands.

Operating within a uniquely complex builders' merchanting model, this role manages a highly varied transport environment. The function supports everything from large-scale site supply to residential deliveries, handling heavy, specialised materials across diverse customer needs. Unlike standard parcel or warehouse distribution, it requires constant adaptation to a wide range of delivery profiles, supported by a blended fleet of company-owned vehicles and third-party haulage partners.

This role commands a strong blend of compliance governance, commercial acumen, technology ownership, and sustainability leadership. The successful candidate will transition the function toward a highly digitised, carbon-conscious, and commercially optimised operation while supporting the fleet capital expenditure pipeline.

Responsibilities:

Technology Ownership & Digital Transformation

• System Ownership: Take full operational ownership of the digital transport ecosystem, specifically directing the implementation, configuration, and optimisation of the Transend Electronic Proof of Delivery (EPOD) application.
• Phased Rollouts: Manage the deployment pipeline and software updates across multiple brands and branches.
• Hardware & Support: Partner with Group IT to manage mobile device lifecycles, user access setups, licensing, and ongoing technical training for branch users and drivers.

Fleet Renewal & CapEx Management

• Lifecycle Management: Direct the multi-year vehicle replacement program across the network, optimising a mixed fleet of specialised heavy commercial vehicles
• CapEx Planning: Author and present the annual August fleet CapEx budget proposals.
• Procurement & Maintenance: Manage vehicle procurement pipelines (both new and high-quality secondhand assets) and oversee manufacturer contract maintenance agreements (e.g., contract maintenance for specialised Volvo fleets).

Sustainability & Fleet Decarbonisation

• HVO Transition: Spearhead the nationwide rollout of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) across the branch network to drive carbon reduction.
• Infrastructure & Security: Manage the procurement and setup of high-capacity fuel tanks, evaluating retrofit opportunities, and implementing robust security frameworks to eliminate theft and contamination risks.

Logistics Risk Management & Vendor Modernisation

• Contractual Modernisation: Audit, overhaul, and modernise legacy branch-level haulier agreements, transitioning the network from historical short-notice arrangements to robust, standardised 3-month notice frameworks.
• Compliance Verification: Implement a strict risk-management framework to validate third-party contractor compliance, ensuring annual verification of Public Liability (PL), Employer Liability (EL), Fleet, and Goods In Transit (GIT) insurances.
• Conflict Resolution: Act as the senior escalation point to resolve operational, pricing, or service disputes between third-party hauliers and branch management.

Compliance, Safety & Governance

• Regulatory Alignment: Maintain absolute compliance with all RSA transport regulations, tachograph rules, drivers' hours legislation, and CVRT schedules across the entire network.
• Ancillary Equipment: Ensure strict regulatory compliance and safety checks for all specialised vehicle components, including cranes, tail lifts, slings, and winches.
• Auditing: Conduct regular compliance reviews on driver certification (CPC, Licence validity, Safe Pass, manual handling, and equipment-specific training) and 12-week vehicle check processes.

Financial Control & Commercial Analysis

• Cost Control: Direct the national transport budget, identifying efficiencies to bridge the lag between real-time operational costs and monthly P&L reporting.
• Fuel Surcharge Management: Manage the commercial fuel surcharge mechanism, utilising weekly market pricing data (e.g., Circle K indices) to update rate cards and communicate accurate cost changes to branches and contractors.
• KPI Management: Analyse weekly and monthly performance data, focusing on Cost per Delivery, Vehicle Utilisation, Driver Productivity, and OTIF (On Time In Full) metrics.

Requirements & Key Competencies

• Experience: 5+ years of progressive leadership experience within transport management, logistics, or supply chain networks, ideally managing a multi-site or hub-and-spoke operation.
• Qualifications: Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) in Transport Management is essential.
• Fleet Expertise: Thorough understanding of heavy commercial vehicle (HCV) mechanics, specialised ancillary equipment (cranes/HIABs, tail lifts), and rigorous CVRT/12-week inspection governance.
• Legal Knowledge: Expert, up-to-date knowledge of Irish and European transport legislation, RSA standards, and drivers' hours regulations.
• Tech Savviness: Strong operational familiarity with modern Telematics, Fleet Management Systems, and Electronic Proof of Delivery (EPOD) systems (direct experience with Transend is a distinct advantage).
• Vendor Management: Proven commercial experience negotiating third-party haulage contracts and managing service level agreements (SLAs).

Desirable:

• Experience within the builders' merchanting, construction materials, or heavy industrial distribution sectors.
• Experience managing alternative fuel transitions or green logistics initiatives.

Benefits & Rewards

• Competitive Basic Salary
• Bonus
• Car Allowance
• Private Health Care
• Pension Scheme
• Profit Share Scheme
• Colleague Saving Scheme
• Colleague Discount
• Educational Assistance
• Wellness initiatives
• Other Standard Benefits