Life at Goldstar – Behind the scenes with our Traffic Department

The Goldstar Transport origin story began with just a few office staff and a tiny fleet of 4 Scania’s. From day one our ambitions have been big. But the truth is, we wouldn’t be where we are today without the team of people past and present who make Goldstar great.

Over this series, we are shining a spotlight on what really makes Goldstar tick. We’ll take you behind the scenes to meet the people who keep the wheels turning on the UK’s number 1 container haulage company.

Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance

It takes a certain type of person to work each day as part of our Traffic team. There’s a saying in the industry – “what can go wrong, will go wrong” and the Traffic team have seen it all, picked up the pieces and have become professionals at effectively managing expectations.

This month we spoke to Alex at Leeds, Jack in Felixstowe and Mitchell in Southampton about the bumpy, but rewarding, road that is traffic and logistics.

A Typical Day Behind the Scenes in the Traffic Department

We asked Traffic Operator Jack, an avid ITFC fan, who also finds time to run an active Scout group in Felixstowe, to explain a little more about his role within the company.

“Our role is to plan the work the drivers will do tomorrow, but also to make sure that everything on a daily basis runs smoothly.

I come in at 0730hrs and will go through the work our customer has given us for the following day. I will then send them a count of where we are – which could be us looking for work out of somewhere, or we may have too much work.

The reply I get to this will usually dictate what I do next, but the aim is to leave here at 1730hrs with each truck having a job for the following day and being able to cover as much as possible for our customers.”

Nine year Goldstar veteran Alex agrees, telling us – “The first job of the day is always clearing up anything from the previous day and any issues overnight. Then plan day 2 and then prepare for day 3. We always have to stay one step ahead.”

What really goes on in a Traffic Job?

Traffic Operator and proud West Ham supporter Mitchell told us, there’s plenty of room for Continuous Professional Development within the role.

“I have completed an apprenticeship, I’m always keen to learn new stuff and push my career forwards.”

Alex adds, “Recently Goldstar put me through a CPC course. There are good days and bad days. Obviously, the best result waking up in the morning and everything has gone as you planned it the previous day.”

Mitchell has some sage advice for newbie Traffic Operators “Don’t be a pushover and you can only do what you can! There’s no point stressing when something’s out of your control.”

What makes a great Traffic team?

Jack says, “The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given at work is that every day is a school day and never be afraid to ask questions. Watching people within my team grow and learn and improve their knowledge on a daily basis has got to be one of the best parts of my job. I enjoy seeing them answer the questions that a few weeks ago they would have needed help on.”

Alex says, “We all get on and communicate well, a special shout out to Reece, who always cracks on without making a noise. The banter and the people I work with are the best things about the job. Everyone’s singing from the same hymn sheet.

Traffic jobs in the Transport, Haulage and Logistics Industry

Transport is the UK’s fastest growing industry for the second year on a trot. There is so much more to our trade than people first think. It’s diverse, expanding and teeming with specialist roles and opportunities that can pull experience from a range of different backgrounds. It is also one of the highest-paying careers for anyone for whom the traditional degree route isn’t an option.

Michell says “I wasn’t expecting to be joining the transport industry, I applied for the job as it was different to the standard everyday jobs I was looking at. I wanted to try something different that isn’t a common job in the area, import and export is an interesting subject”.

If you’re looking for a new role, why not consider a career with Goldstar Transport.

Check out our current office vacancies and drive your career forward, the Goldstar way.