Transport Strategy Lead

Culina is the UK’s leading independent specialist supply chain partner, trusted by some of the nation’s best recognised food, fast-moving consumer goods (FMGC) and retail brands. We're proud to employ over 22,000 colleagues across 100+ locations nationwide, supported by a fleet of more than 5,500 trucks and trailers delivering every day.

We currently have an exciting opportunity in our Contract Logistics division – through flexible warehousing, transport and fulfilment solutions, we simplify complexity, drive continuous improvement and create exceptional experiences for customers. Delivering certainty. Creating value. Enabling growth.

Shape the future of transport across the Contract Logistics network as our Transport Strategy Lead. This is an opportunity to turn complex data into practical strategies that improve network efficiency, strengthen customer service and deliver measurable commercial results.

Reporting to the Business Director, you’ll lead transport strategy, network design and fleet optimisation, working closely with Operations, Commercial, Finance and senior leaders. You’ll provide functional leadership across teams, influencing decisions and driving change without direct authority. While the role has no direct budget ownership, your work will influence multi-million-pound cost, revenue and margin outcomes.

Key aspects of the role are:

• Develop and deliver the transport strategy and annual Transport Optimisation Plan, prioritising initiatives that deliver measurable PBT and EBIT improvements.
• Lead network design and fleet strategy, covering fleet sizing, capacity modelling, peak planning and asset deployment.
• Improve fleet utilisation, reduce empty miles and reliance on subcontracted transport, and strengthen service performance and core fleet profitability.
• Develop advanced transport modelling and scenario planning to support investment decisions, strategic change and sustainable network improvements.
• Produce robust cost-to-serve analysis, commercial models and business cases using operational data and tools such as TMS, TCT and Power BI.
• Provide a consistent source of transport insight, embedding standardised planning and analytical frameworks and reducing duplication across the business.
• Support tenders, customer solutions and contract renewals through network design, modelling and commercial insight.
• Partner with cross-functional teams and strategic customers to develop scalable, profitable transport solutions that enhance customer value.
• Track optimisation benefits and sustainability improvements, including carbon performance and miles per pallet, and communicate clear recommendations to senior stakeholders.

You’ll bring a combination of strategic transport expertise, commercial understanding and the ability to turn analysis into action. We’re looking for:

• Significant senior-level experience in transport, logistics or supply chain within a complex, multi-site environment.
• A proven track record of delivering transport strategy, network optimisation and large-scale transformation.
• Advanced capability in transport modelling, data analytics and cost-to-serve analysis.
• Strong commercial awareness, with a deep understanding of fleet economics, subcontracting, pricing, margin drivers and risk.
• The ability to influence executive-level decisions and build alignment across teams without direct authority.
• Experience developing and implementing standardised planning and operational frameworks across dispersed sites.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex information into clear recommendations.
• Credibility with senior stakeholders and strategic customers, balancing service requirements with commercial…