Logistics Stories

Though there’s a vast diversity of roles and opportunities in the logistics industry, at its heart the sector is about getting things from A to B. And that’s exactly what Rhys does.

‘I’m a Fuel Tanker Driver for Oxalis – I deliver fuel to forecourts around the UK.’

It’s a skilled job, requiring qualifications such as an ADR in Class 3 Flammables, a PDP (Petroleum Drivers Passport), and a Class 1 Licence. So it’s no surprise that Rhys feels a sense of achievement from rising to the role at such an early stage in his career.

‘When I first got my Class 1 Licence, my goal was to end up on the fuel tankers. Oxalis made that goal possible! I never expected to have that opportunity at the age of 20.’

For Rhys, an employer willing to give young people with skill and motivation a chance to succeed doesn’t just mean a job. It’s a career, and a rewarding one at that.

‘I enjoy driving, so I thought… why not get paid to do it? It’s the best thing about my role.’

Tom is part of the Graduate Management Scheme at Oxalis, and is just finishing his first rotation.

“The scheme offers various rotations, and my first was as the Location Transport Manager for the Esso Birmingham Terminal.”

In other words, he’s been getting a real taste of the pace and dynamism of real world logistics.

“It’s one of Oxalis’ busiest terminals and since day one I have been involved in operations, managing over 90 drivers. It’s been great because not only have I learnt more about operations, trucks and logistics, but I’ve been able to develop myself as a manager, and understand the characteristics I need to become a leader of the future.”

Tom first found out about the graduate scheme at a Novus careers fair. He realised it matched what he wanted to do and offered an opportunity to build on his degree in Business & Supply Chain Management. As he expected, he’s enjoyed the diversity of experience that the scheme’s given him, and appreciates the ways in which logistics isn’t necessarily office based.

“I felt I needed to be out and involved with the operations. For me, that’s how I can really develop my skills and knowledge, and enjoy what I do.”

Naturally Tom’s keen to experience the next rotations in his scheme, but he also has a specific interest in sustainability.

“I’ve been getting involved with connected issues at Hoyer and have been involved with generating new business in regards to more sustainable fuels and changing the way we report our fuels emissions.”

Diana is delivering fuel across southeast England, and sometimes further away. It’s highly skilled job where you have to focus and stay calm. We get trained how to load and discharge fuel tanker.
Diana’s job involve induction in different fuel terminals what mean she can load in any nearest depot and you don’t have to run an empty truck.

Diana is based at the Hemel Hempstead terminal but she has also completed induction training to be able to enter and load her vehicle with fuel at other terminals in the South East, so if she has done a delivery on the other side of London, instead of wasting time driving back to Hemel with to get another load to deliver, she could be asked to re-load at a different, closer terminal to get more deliveries competed within her shift

You need a driving licence in Class 1 (articulated vehicle) or Class 2 (rigid vehicle) and CPC. To drive fuel tankers, you need another qualification as ADR in class 3 – flammable, PDP

Since Diana was young, she was in transport industry, and she always wanted to drive. Diana came to UK to fulfil her dream and she has done all her driving licences.

“I used to drive around the Heathrow airport where I saw plenty fuel tankers driving around…. And I just told myself that one day I will be driving tankers too.”

Diana always wanted to do some very important job, and delivering fuel is very important because without fuel everything would become standstill. The best thing about her role is that Hoyer gave her the opportunity to fulfil her dream of doing a very important job. She has never felt happier in workplace.

Lucy is the transport manager covering three depots and is responsible for managing the safe and cost-effective utilisation of all drivers and equipment within my locations, ensuring that the customer service requirements are fully met and in line with the business objectives.

She completed a degree in Business Management that lead her to the position however, this job needed a level 3 Certificate of Professional Competence for Transport Managers (Road Haulage) and hands on experience including: Previous experience in the transport industry to understand legislation and compliance, understanding of drivers’ hours regulations and an understanding of O licence processes and regulations.

Lucy started her career in logistics in 2019 at age 21 as a dispatch planner. She studied Business Management (BA) Hons at University and within her final year specialised in Operations. During this time, she was looking for work experience part time related to Operations. Through the university online job board, Lucy found that Oxalis was advertising for a part time dispatch planner. The part time job sparked her interest in logistics. Lucy then went on to a graduate scheme after university with Oxalis with different rotations around the business. This included field operations, central fleet team and an operations control role.

A highlight for Lucy’s career has been receiving her international CPC after completing the Certification of Professional Competence (CPC) international course.