Get to know Terry Hart, our Assistant Transport Manager | TEPS
We have sat down with Terry Hart, our Assistant Transport Manager, to hear his story about his day-to-day duties, the challenges he faces and his favourite thing about working at TEPS.
Hello Terry let’s jump straight into it. Can you let me know how long you have been here at TEPS and why have you stuck around so long?
Well, it’ll be 11 years now since I started working at TEPS and it has honestly flown by. I’ve been in the haulage industry for over 35 years, starting when I was just 16 and I’ve not left the industry since.
Why I stay here at TEPS is simple really. There are lots of opportunities out there, but TEPS will always be a good opportunity in those hard times.
As Assistant Transport Manager, what are your main duties in the role?
Can I say the tea boy?
No, of course, I do just make the best cuppas, but I do a lot more than that as Assistant Transport Manager. Effectively, I and the team control the transport operations. This could be anything from checking for updates on our customer portal 24/7 to checking the pricing for fuel weekly or planning our trucks for the next day with who’s got what and where it’s going.
So, what would a typical start to the day look like for you?
Well, I arrive at the office around 5:30 to 6:00 AM. This gives me a few hours to check a few things off my list before the drivers arrive to load or unload their trucks. In the morning, I’ll check my emails for any cancellations or changes that we need to adhere to, and an important one is to check on our drivers when they arrive and make sure they are on track for the day. I will also do a yard check to make sure all the equipment is where it should be and check the fuel tank levels before any of our trucks set off.
How I describe my job is this, think of a thousand-piece jigsaw puzzle that you’re halfway through doing and suddenly pieces are missing, and you must throw it in the air and try all over again. That’s my role.
You’ve been at TEPS for many years, what’s your ultimate favourite thing about working here?
My favourite thing by far is the team. There is mutual respect among everyone here at TEPS and that makes it an amazing place to work.
What are some of the biggest challenges and skills needed to succeed in your role?
Some challenges are managing the driver’s and customers’ expectations. However, we succeed in this by meeting them with an understanding that everyone is different and will have their own needs which we will adhere to.
This makes listening and communication a key skill to succeed in this role.
Let’s get to know you more, what do you get up to outside of work?
Travel, travel, travel. Me and my Wife travel all over when we have the time. We even got married at Disney in the USA. It’s my full life’s passion to travel the world.
Lastly, tell me a fun fact about yourself.
I’m an identical twin and I’m also multilingual in German and French. So, I guess you could say I’m great at communicating in three languages.
