Jemma was recently announced as a runner-up for the Transport Manager of the Year Award at the Logistics UK Awards.
With a mission to provide outstanding service and support to every customer ensuring satisfaction at every step of the process, the Oilfast Group has established a strong presence throughout the UK.
Claudia Weeks, Community Content Lead for Fuel Oil News, spoke with Jemma, to find out what drives her passion for her role at the Oilfast Group.
A career in fuel distribution
“I have been working for Oilfast for almost 3 years,” Jemma began, explaining her journey into this industry. “I started working for DHL in the fuel distribution industry when I was just 19 years old (18 years ago!). I started in administration and soon realised I wanted to know more about operations, more about trucks and the products that we were moving.
“DHL took a chance on me and promoted me to Transport Supervisor within the first year. I gained my Transport Managers CPC, IOSH, ADR and attended every training course that was made available to me. I also attended DHL’s in-house Transport Academy. I switched companies after ten years, to further my career, and became a Transport Manager.
“I left the fuels industry in September 2019, to broaden my transport knowledge. I gained experience of different types of vehicles – low loaders, flatbeds and 8 wheelers with Hiabs, delivering plant and accommodation units to construction sites.
“Early in 2022, I received a call from Charles Lowe, Transport and Logistics Director for Oilfast who I’d first met 18 years ago, when we worked together at DHL. Charles told me about Oilfast, their rapid growth and ambitions for the future, and asked if I would like to join the team which I did, in March 2022. Moving back to work in the fuel industry felt great; it feels like being at home and where I belong.”
A typical day
Jemma explained what her typical day looks like: “The phone usually rings before I’ve even left the house! When I first started with Oilfast, I mainly worked with our artic division on efficient routing, compliance, problem solving, gaining new work and building our fleet to put out more litres.
“I then moved on to oversee all of Oilfast Transport which covers our rigid vehicles in Grangemouth, Motherwell, Crieff, Forfar, Oban, Inverness and Insch. Our sister company, Oilmaxx, based in England, has rigids in London, Kingsbury and Immingham too.
“Our artic fleet is based in Grangemouth Terminal. Our team consists of a Transport and Logistics Director, Health and Safety Manager, Transport Supervisor, Compliance Supervisor and Administrator, and we also have our own in-house Driver Trainer along with our in-house Fleet Engineer. We’re a busy team!
“Lunch normally consists of something quick and easy – normally a sandwich or some pasta, no time for stopping! Then it’s time for more work!”
Industry awards
The Logistics UK Awards were held at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London, on the 12th of December last year. The evening, celebrating the industry’s achievements over the past 12 months, included a glittering champagne reception and three course meal, with top quality entertainment and dancing.
Jemma was announced as the runner-up for the Transport Manager of the Year Award and explained more about her nomination for the awards: “I couldn’t believe I made it to the final! With over 2,000 Transport Managers nominated, to be named as runner-up was such an achievement!
“I am passionate about what I do, I take pride in the work I do and I’m always striving to do better. I attended the ceremony with Charles Lowe, and it was a fantastic and nerve-racking night. Logistics UK sure knows how to put on an event!”
Life as a transport manager
Claudia asked Jemma some quick-fire questions about her experiences as a Transport Manager:
What is your favourite part of the job?
“Making a difference, seeing results and beating targets but, most of all, building a team.”
What’s the worst part of your job?
“Going to work and leaving my 1-year-old daughter Harli Curtis. I would love to take her to work with me!”
If you could change anything about your role, what would you change?
“I wouldn’t change a thing; the role comes with challenges and industrial challenges, but life would be boring if everything was plain sailing. The words ‘plain sailing, trucks and drivers’ just don’t go in the same sentence!”
What is your most memorable moment at work?
“Passing my Class 1 – I was on such a high! Then getting out to complete deliveries, building my confidence and experience – I loved it! Hats off to all the drivers out there, they face a lot of challenges on the road.”
