Gemma Harrison
Accrington
Summary
Results-driven Transport & Logistics Operations Leader with 20+ years’ experience progressing from logistics administration to senior operations management within complex, high-volume environments. Expert in fleet management, compliance, and route optimization, with a proven track record managing 40+ drivers, leading multi-disciplinary teams, and maintaining exceptional compliance and service performance. Transport Manager CPC holder and FORS Gold Advanced Practitioner, recognized for strong leadership, operational control, and continuous improvement.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
Senior Transport Planner / Transport Operations Lead
The Senator Group
2019.01 - 2026.02
- Hold full operational accountability for transport planning and administration across a national office furniture manufacturing and distribution network.
- Direct end-to-end delivery planning from manufacturing facilities and distribution centres to commercial customers, dealer networks, and project installation sites.
- Line manages a transport planning and administration team, setting performance standards, allocating workloads, and driving service delivery improvements.
- Manage a large driver workforce delivering high-value, bulky goods while ensuring full compliance with Operator Licence obligations, drivers’ hours regulations, tachograph legislation, and internal compliance standards.
- Design and implement efficient multi-drop delivery schedules, factoring in vehicle utilisation, product dimensions, installation requirements, and complex site access restrictions.
- Improve fleet efficiency and reduce empty mileage through enhanced route optimisation, backloading strategies, and strengthened collaboration with warehouse and production teams.
- Partner cross-functionally with manufacturing, warehousing, customer service, and installation departments to align transport capacity with production output and customer delivery commitments.
- Support continuous improvement and compliance initiatives, helping maintain FORS Gold accreditation while promoting safe, compliant, and sustainable transport operations.
- Office Furniture Manufacturer
Transport Planner
The Senator Group
2017.01 - 2019.01
- Planned and coordinated daily and weekly delivery schedules for finished office furniture from manufacturing sites to customers across the UK.
- Balanced customer service levels with efficient vehicle utilisation and strict compliance requirements.
- Monitored drivers’ hours, tachograph data, and route performance, proactively addressing infringements and compliance risks.
- Liaised with warehouse teams to ensure loads were built correctly for complex, multi-drop office furniture deliveries.
- Responded to operational issues such as last-minute order changes, vehicle breakdowns, and delivery constraints.
- Provided operational insight, performance updates, and improvement recommendations at management meetings.
- Office Furniture Manufacturer
Teal Furniture
2015.01 - 2017.01
- Managed a small delivery team.
- Planned weekly routes aligned to production and customer demand.
- Supported 97%+ on-time delivery performance.
Fagan & Whalley Transport
2002.01 - 2015.01
- Managed logistics administration and driver documentation.
- Supported key customer accounts and pallet network operations.
Skills
- Transport Operations Management
- Fleet & Driver Leadership
- Route Planning & Optimisation
- Driver Hours & Tachograph Compliance
- FORS Gold & Audit Readiness
- KPI & Performance Reporting
- Health & Safety Compliance
Certification
- Transport Manager CPC
- FORS Gold – Advanced Practitioner
- ILM Leadership & Management
- Level 3 Business & Administration
- 10 GCSEs (C and above)
INTERESTS
Gym & strength training, Running & Endurance Fitness
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- Consistently high on time, in-full-service performance
- Strong record of full legal and regulatory compliance
- Proven leadership of planning, administration, and driver teams
- Extensive experience overseeing large transport operations
- Key contributor to achieving and maintaining FORS Gold accreditation
LEADERSHIP & ENGAGEMENT
- Charity Committee Member – The Senator Group
- Organized and led national charity events:
- National Three Peaks Challenge
- Leeds to Liverpool Canal Walk
Timeline
Senior Transport Planner / Transport Operations Lead
The Senator Group
2019.01 - 2026.02
Transport Planner
The Senator Group
2017.01 - 2019.01
Teal Furniture
2015.01 - 2017.01
Fagan & Whalley Transport
2002.01 - 2015.01