Class 1 Senior Lead Driver

Job Introduction

About the Role

TPA is a leading European supplier of temporary access solutions, specialising in providing hire equipment including portable roadways, walkways & ground protection, and temporary rapid rail access points. Reporting into our Transport Manager, our Class 1 Lead Driver Operatives work alongside and supervise our Portable Roadway Operatives to deliver, install and recover our equipment from customer sites using the lorry loader cranes fitted to our fleet of 44t rigid & drawbar vehicles. This role includes elements of site management, customer support and on the job training for other members of the TPA Operations team.

Salary: £48,000

OTE: £55,000

Night Out Allowance: £4,500

Key Responsibilities 

• Lead and supervise other fellow operators in the execution of relevant plans and installations.
• Liaise with customers to assess their needs, communicating with sales and back office support to ensure correct billing and logistics to keep the customer requirements up to date.
• Use technical experience to advise and direct customers requirements with best fit product choices depending on site environment.
• Assist in training and assessment of any new employees to sign off competences.
• Address any changes in requirements due to weather conditions or potential changes in customer demands
• Identify and suggest optimum ways of working and support the implementation of new methodologies.
• Champion your own and other people’s health and safety at all times.
• Follow the rules on drivers’ hours, working time, and tachographs, and keep proper records.
• Ensure that your vehicle and trailer is not overloaded and compliant with all CPC requirements.
• Report any defects, or symptoms of defects, that could prevent the safe operation of vehicles, trailers and/or lifting equipment and accessories.
• Undertake sufficient periodic training to maintain Driver CPC qualification.
• Inform the Transport Manager of any driving convictions, endorsements or disqualifications, and any health issues or medication that may affect driving.
• Follow company policies & procedures, and the Driver Code as laid out in the Driver Handbook.

Customer Care and Service:

• Be professional and helpful when collecting or delivering goods and in general dealings with customers, colleagues, and the public.
• Maintain a professional image by dressing in the company work wear provided, and use the correct PPE when required.
• Complete any necessary site inductions and follow any site-specific rules.
• Undertake a daily site-specific risk assessment before commencing work.
• Follow the correct working practices as detailed in any relevant RAMS document.
• Work closely with and take instruction from any Project Co-ordinator on site.
• Take control as directed when a Project Co-ordinator is not present.
• Plan your workload to meet customer or company deadlines whilst maintaining compliance with the drivers’ hours and working time regulations
• Communicate your plan and give instruction to any Portable Roadway Operative working with you.
• Load, transport, unload, install and recover equipment as directed in a safe and secure manner.
• Liaise with both the customer and management as necessary to make them aware of any issues that may arise
• Provide our customers with appropriate familiarisation of equipment where necessary at the point of delivery
• Complete a final check before leaving site to ensure excess materials are collected and site left clean and tidy

Vehicle & Asset Management:

• Check vehicles, trailers and lifting equipment daily and before first use.
• Check and inspect tools and equipment daily before commencing work.
• Leave all vehicles clean & tidy after use.
• Report any incidents, accidents, or instances of damage or loss.
• Follow the relevant stock control procedures for all movements obtaining customer signatures and site photos as required.
• Identify damaged hire equipment on site where possible and follow the damage procedure as required.

You may be required to carry out any other duties considered within your skill and competence to assist the smooth running of the business when it is considered necessary or appropriate by management.

What We’re Looking For

• Trained and proficient in the use of Truck mounted crane – HIAB or equivalent
• Trained in use of crane mounted clamps
• Strong knowledge of lifting RAMS
• Computer literate to undertake relevant job related duties, relevant training in in-house software and communication tools
• Ability to help train and assess fellow workers improvements and performance
• Full UK Driving License including category C+E entitlement.
• Current digital tachograph driver card.
• Current driver CPC card.
• Flexible approach to working hours is essential – early starts, late finishes, weekend work and frequent overnight stays sharing the cab with another operative.
• A customer and focused mindset
• Accredited training certificates desired but not essential
• NG (National Grid)
• STS (Safety Trained Site Supervisor)
• OHL (Overhead Lines)

What We Can Offer You 

• Starting Salary £48,000 plus industry leading package
• Average OTE £55,000 including performance bonus
• Plus, industry leading Night Out allowances worth an extra circa £4,500

• Salary sacrifice pension
• 25 days holiday (increases with service), plus bank holidays & 1 extra day to be taken in the month of your birthday
• Additional holiday purchase scheme
• Free Tool Hire
• Life Assurance cover 3x salary
• Share save scheme
• Eye care vouchers
• Recommend a friend scheme
• Learning & Development – commitment to upskilling and developing our people, structured in house training available alongside external training where required
• Cycle to work scheme
• Long service recognition
• My Vp discounts – a variety of discounts and rewards on thousands of well-known brands
• Discounts on HP products
• EE mobile contract discount offers
• Gym discounts
• Health Shield (discounted premiums on health care cash plan)
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Virtual GP Service
• Will Writing & Funeral Concierge Service
• Regit Assist 24/7 accident helpline – free joining

A Little Bit About Us 

TPA Portable Roadways is one of Europe’s leading and fastest growing providers of temporary access solutions. Our teams support the essential industries defining Britain’s future, including key Government infrastructure projects, transmission, power, renewable energy, water, rail, and construction. When you join us, you’re not just starting a job; you’re helping to build and maintain the infrastructure that shapes the nation’s future.

Our roles are hands on, varied and genuinely meaningful. You’ll help deliver adaptable access systems for major national projects, working with equipment designed for challenging environments. Safety, training, and support are built into everything we do, giving you the confidence to grow and succeed.

We’re trusted by industry leaders for our quality, innovation unrivalled service, and commitment to sustainability. Our products and services ensure site operations are safe, designed to protect natural environments and ensure our customers projects stay ‘on track’.  

If you want a career where your work matters, that provides you with a platform to develop new skills and contribute to projects that power and connect communities, TPA is the place to build your future.

Explore our opportunities and join a team proud to support Britain’s infrastructure.

TPA is proud member of the Vp group of companies, Vp plc is an equal opportunities employer. We believe a diverse workforce strengthens our business, and we recruit based on skills and experience.