Transport Specialist – Carrier Management

*
* Job Title:

Transport Specialist – Carrier Management
***
* Location:

** Bedford, UK  
** Department:
** Transportation / Supply Chain  
*
* Employment Type:

** Full-time, Permanent  
** Language Requirement:
** Fluent English and Mandarin Chinese  
** Working Arrangement:
** On-site; flexibility to support operational shifts and peak periods may be required
** Role Overview
** We are seeking an experienced and hands-on Transport Specialist to oversee carrier management and outbound transportation operations at our Bedford warehouse.

The role will coordinate both B2B and B2C outbound shipments, manage day-to-day communication and performance with parcel, pallet, freight and last-mile carriers, and lead a small transportation operations team.

The successful candidate will work closely with the warehouse outbound team to ensure an accurate and controlled handover of goods, timely carrier collections and effective resolution of operational exceptions. This position requires strong transportation knowledge, excellent stakeholder-management skills and the ability to communicate fluently in both English and Mandarin Chinese.
** Key Responsibilities
**** Transport Operations
*** Oversee daily B2B and B2C outbound transportation activities from the Bedford warehouse.
* Plan and coordinate parcel, pallet, freight and last-mile collections according to order volume, service requirements and operational cut-off times.
* Allocate shipments to suitable carriers based on service type, capacity, cost, delivery requirements and operational performance.
* Ensure vehicles and carriers arrive as scheduled and that all shipments are dispatched within the required time frames.
* Monitor shipment progress and proactively manage collection failures, delays, missed scans, delivery exceptions, damages, losses and returns.
* Support peak-period planning, contingency arrangements and urgent or ad-hoc transport requirements.
** Carrier Management
*** Act as the main operational contact between the Bedford warehouse and contracted carriers.
* Maintain effective daily communication with carrier account managers, depots, drivers and control teams.
* Conduct regular carrier performance reviews covering on-time collection, on-time delivery, scanning compliance, loss and damage, claims, customer complaints and service failures.
* Escalate recurring issues and drive carriers to provide root-cause analysis and corrective action plans.
* Support carrier onboarding, operational testing, service changes and the implementation of new transport solutions.
* Verify that carriers follow agreed SOPs, service requirements, safety standards and contractual obligations.
* Work with procurement and management teams to support carrier reviews, cost control and continuous improvement.
** Warehouse Handover and Dispatch Control
*** Work closely with the warehouse outbound team to align picking, packing, staging, loading and carrier collection schedules.
* Establish and maintain a clear handover process between warehouse and transportation teams.
* Confirm shipment quantities, pallet or parcel counts, labels, manifests and supporting documentation before goods are released.
* Ensure all physical handovers and system handovers are properly recorded and traceable.
* Investigate discrepancies between physical goods, system records and carrier collection data.
* Coordinate the safe and efficient loading of vehicles and ensure goods are handed over to the correct carrier.
* Conduct daily reviews of outstanding, uncollected or unsuccessfully dispatched shipments.
** Team Leadership
*** Lead and coordinate a small transport operations team responsible for dispatch planning, carrier communication and shipment monitoring.
* Allocate daily tasks and ensure appropriate operational coverage throughout the working day.
* Provide training, coaching and operational guidance to team members.
* Monitor team performance and ensure issues are escalated and resolved promptly.
* Maintain clear SOPs, shift handovers and escalation procedures.
* Promote strong collaboration between transportation, warehouse operations, customer service, procurement and other internal teams.
** Compliance and Reporting
*** Ensure transportation activities comply with company procedures and applicable UK transport, health and safety and security requirements.
* Support compliant handling and transportation of dangerous goods where applicable.
* Maintain accurate transport records, manifests, proof of collection, delivery evidence and exception records.
*…