Transport & Operations Manager

Job description

About

The Durness Bus is looking for a practical, capable person to join our team in a senior hands-on role combining transport management and day-to-day operational responsibility. It is a role for somebody who is comfortable managing and doing. One day may involve compliance records; another may involve driving a service or solving a roadside problem.

This is not a conventional desk-based Transport Manager position.

We are looking for a capable, practical individual who is equally comfortable driving a bus through the Highlands, helping another driver solve a problem, checking that compliance systems are working properly, dealing with passengers, planning services and sitting down with the owners to decide how the business should develop. The successful candidate will work closely with Neil and Sarah and become one of the key people responsible for the safe, compliant and efficient operation of The Durness Bus. Driving will remain an important part of the role. The objective is to create a management team in which responsibility can genuinely be shared, giving all three people sensible working weeks, regular time away from work and the ability to take meaningful holidays without the business depending continuously on one or two individuals. For the right person, there is considerable scope to grow with the company and take on greater responsibility over time. 

Transport management and compliance 

• Take an active role in ensuring that the company continually meets the requirements of its Operator's Licence and other relevant passenger transport legislation. • Oversee drivers' hours and tachograph compliance, licence and qualification checks, Driver CPC requirements and training. • Coordinate vehicle maintenance planning, inspections, defect reporting and rectification, daily vehicle checks, MOT and compliance records. • Support accident, incident and insurance procedures, risk assessments, company policies and safe operating practices. • Ensure that company systems remain practical, effective and properly used. • Where appointed as the company's statutory Transport Manager, undertake the corresponding professional responsibilities associated with that position.

Driving and service operation

• Drive company vehicles as a regular part of the role, including occasional scheduled passenger services, school services and other work undertaken by the company. • Provide practical operational cover where required because of holidays, sickness, disruption or unusual demand. • understand that successful rural bus operation sometimes requires common sense, adaptability and sound judgement rather than simply following a theoretical plan. • Maintain the company's standards of safe, courteous and professional driving. 

Day-to-day operations

• Help coordinate vehicle and driver allocation, service planning and operational cover. • Deal calmly and effectively with disruption, weather-related decisions, vehicle substitutions and passenger issues. • Liaise with drivers, customers, schools, local authorities, suppliers and other organisations where required. • Become somebody whom drivers can approach for sensible advice and support. 

Drivers and staff

• Support existing drivers and help recruit new drivers. • Assist with induction, route familiarisation and identifying training needs. • Help inexperienced drivers develop confidence and good judgement. • Encourage high standards without creating unnecessary bureaucracy. • Assist with disciplinary or performance matters where necessary. • Help us develop the next generation of local and Highland-based drivers. 

Fleet and vehicles

• Take a practical interest in the fleet and its condition. • Work with the Directors, drivers, maintenance providers and suppliers to ensure vehicles remain safe, reliable, presentable and suitable for the work they undertake. • Understand vehicles well enough to recognise problems and ensure that issues are dealt with, without needing to be a qualified mechanic. • Contribute to future fleet decisions including accessibility, passenger requirements, luggage and bicycle capacity, reliability, operating cost and lower-emission transport.

New operating centre - 40 Sangomore

• Assist Neil and Sarah with the development and establishment of the company's new operating centre. • Help establish practical systems for vehicle parking and movements, cleaning, driver facilities, Office operations, compliance records, stores and equipment, vehicle inspections and safe working arrangements. • Help ensure the site works well in practice rather than simply looking good on a plan. Development of the business • Contribute ideas rather than simply administer what already exists. • Help improve existing services and identify opportunities for new work. • Improve passenger experience and connections with other transport operators. • Contribute to recruitment, training, future vehicle requirements, emissions reduction and sensible use of technology without losing the personal character of the business.