Operations Manager – Specialised Transport Operations

Who are we:

K&S Corporation is an ASX-listed company and dominant multi-modal transport and logistics provider in Australia and New Zealand. Our comprehensive offerings across road, rail, and sea transport, alongside fuel distribution and specialised logistics subsidiaries, position us a critical player in national and trans-Tasman supply chains, serving a wide range of sectors from mining and agriculture to retail and industrial clients. With a proud 80-year history our brand is known for innovation, customer focus, continuous improvement, and industry leading safety. K&S Freighters maintains one of Australia's largest company-owned fleet, employing over 1600 personnel and headquartered in Truganina, Victoria. 

About Chemtrans:

Chemtrans is a division of K&S Corporation and is a well-respected industry leader in the safe and efficient transportation and delivery of Dangerous and Hazardous Goods and chemicals throughout Australia. 

The Opportunity:

This is an opportunity to take ownership of a new operation and build a high-performing team from the ground up.

Chemtrans is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to establish and lead our Brisbane/Helidon operation. Reporting to the National Manager, you’ll oversee the day-to-day operation, with a strong focus on safety, compliance, people leadership, customer service and operational performance.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who enjoys being close to the operation, building capable teams and establishing strong standards and culture.

The Role:

You’ll take ownership of the Brisbane/Helidon operation, including:

Building, leading and developing the site-based operational team

Establishing a strong safety culture and driving a zero-harm mindset

Leading audits, risk assessments, incident investigations and corrective actions

Ensuring compliance across mass, dimension, load restraint, fatigue, speed, vehicle standards and maintenance

Maintaining company, NHVAS, dangerous goods, explosives and Defence compliance requirements

Overseeing fleet and equipment servicing, maintenance and roadworthiness

Managing daily operations, rostering, scheduling and resource allocation

Ensuring safe, efficient and reliable service delivery

Building strong relationships with customers and responding to operational requirements

Investigating service failures and driving continuous improvement

Managing customer enquiries and quotation requests

Supporting tenders and new business opportunities

Completing branch, safety, operational and customer reporting

Coaching and holding your team accountable for safety, compliance and performance

About You:

You’ll be an experienced transport, logistics or operations leader who is comfortable working in a highly regulated transport environment and enjoys building something new.

You will bring:

Strong operational leadership experience within transport, logistics, dangerous goods, explosives, heavy haulage or a similarly regulated environment

Demonstrated experience leading and developing operational teams

Strong knowledge of transport safety, compliance and Chain of Responsibility requirements

Experience across fatigue, vehicle maintenance and load restraint

A practical, visible approach to safety leadership

Strong customer and stakeholder management skills

The ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-moving operation

Strong communication, reporting and problem-solving skills

Flexibility around working hours and travel when operationally required

Relevant security licences and industry requirements

Due to the specialised nature of the operation, you’ll be required to obtain and maintain relevant licences, clearances and accreditations including:

NV1 Defence security clearance

Relevant Queensland and Victorian explosives and dangerous goods licences

HCDG requirements

MSIC and/or ASIC

Relevant state-based security clearances

Chief Security Officer training and Defence security requirements

A strong understanding of the Australian Explosives Vehicle Code and participation in relevant industry bodies will also be required.

Why join Us:

This is an exciting opportunity to join Chemtrans at a time of business growth and team expansion.

This isn’t a role where you’ll simply inherit an established operation. You’ll have the opportunity to build the Brisbane/Helidon operation, develop the team and shape the culture and operating standards from the outset.

If you’re an experienced operational leader who enjoys building teams, improving performance and working in a specialised environment where safety and compliance genuinely matter, we’d like to hear from you.

To uphold our core value of “Everybody Safe Everyday” a pre-employment medical and police check will be required to be successful in this role.

Applicants must have full Australian working rights. We are not engaging recruitment agencies for this role.