Jennifer Griffiths Recruitment are currently recruiting a Logistics Manager on behalf of our manufacturing client.
The Logistics Manager will oversee the day-to-day operation of transport, despatch and goods receiving, with responsibility for inventory accuracy and the performance of a small team. The role will work closely with planning, production, quality, customer service and external haulage providers to ensure orders are despatched accurately and on time, inbound deliveries are received efficiently and warehouse stock records remain accurate.
Team Leadership:
The postholder has direct line management responsibility for the transport, despatch and goods receiving teams and is expected to set the standard for how those areas run.
- Plan and publish labour cover across transport, despatch and goods receiving so that inbound and outbound activity is properly resourced through the working week.
- Lead the daily start-up briefings, setting priorities for the shift and confirming the outbound schedule with each team.
- Manage attendance, absence, holiday and timekeeping in line with company policy.
- Carry out one-to-ones, objective setting and appraisals, and identify training and licence renewal needs, including materials handling equipment certification.
- Performance management of the team, identifying the need for form action where necessary.
- Build capability in the teams through structured on-the-job training, cross-skilling and clear succession cover for every critical task.
Continuous Improvement:
The business is looking for measurable improvement in service and inventory accuracy, and this role is expected to lead that work within its own areas.
- Contribute to the specification and testing of system changes affecting stock, despatch and goods receipt.
- Identify and deliver improvements to layout, process flow and warehouse practice that reduce handling, travel and error.
- Champion 5S and housekeeping standards across the warehouse, yard and receiving areas
Inventory Management and Cycle Counting:
The role is accountable for inventory accuracy across raw materials, work in progress and finished goods, and for the disciplines that keep the system in step with the warehouse.
- Own the cycle counting programme: set the count calendar, assign counters, and count high-value and fast-moving lines at a greater frequency than the rest of the range. Driving results that will eliminate the need for annual stock takes.
- Investigate count discrepancies through to root cause, approve adjustments within delegated authority and escalate unexplained variances.
- Report inventory accuracy performance to the Head of Supply Chain each month, with commentary on trends and the corrective actions in place.
- Maintain stock location discipline, including bin and rack allocation, put-away rules, batch traceability and stock rotation.
- Manage slow-moving, obsolete and quarantined stock, and coordinate the disposition of non-conforming material with quality and production.
- Act as operational lead for the planning and execution of the annual stock take.
Transport and Despatch Operations:
Day-to-day control of the inbound and outbound operation sits with this role, from load planning through to proof of delivery.
- Plan and sequence outbound loads to meet customer requirements, maximising vehicle fill and consolidating deliveries where routing allows.
- Book and coordinate third-party hauliers and containers, confirm collection windows and manage exceptions on the day.
- Ensure despatch paperwork, export documentation and load security requirements are complete and correct before a vehicle leaves site.
- Monitor delivery performance, chase proof of delivery and lead the operational response to delays, shortages and damages.
- Control the goods receiving process so that inbound material is unloaded, checked, booked in and made available to production without delay.
Planning and Customer Interface
The Logistics Manager works alongside the planning team and is expected to turn the plan into a deliverable daily operation.
- Work with the Supply Chain Master Planner to align the despatch schedule with the production plan and confirmed customer dates.
- Flag vehicle availability issues, capacity constraints and inbound delays early enough for the plan to be reworked.
- Provide customer service and sales with accurate, timely information on order status, despatch dates and delivery exceptions.
- Provide cover for colleagues in the wider supply chain team during periods of absence.
Health, Safety, Quality and Compliance:
Yard and warehouse activity carries some of the highest operational risk on site, and the postholder is responsible for how safely it is run.
- Ensure safe systems of work are followed for loading, unloading, vehicle movements and segregation, assessments remain current. and that the supporting risk assessments remain current
- Complete accident, incident and near-miss reporting, and carry out investigations within the area of responsibility.
- Maintain compliance with transport legislation, load security requirements and the company’s quality and environmental management systems.
- Ensure materials handling equipment is inspected, maintained and operated only by trained and authorised colleagues.
Qualifications:
- Hold a grade 5/C or above in Math and English GCSE (or equivalent) (essential).
- Level 3 qualification in logistics, supply chain or warehousing (desirable).
- IOSH Managing Safely (desirable).
- Counterbalance or Reach Truck License (desirable).
Job Function Technical Knowledge and Skills :
- Experience working in a warehouse, transport, despatch or goods receiving environment as a team or shift leader.
- Experience within a manufacturing or make-to-order business.
- Practical understanding of stock control, including cycle counting, stock rotation, batch traceability and discrepancy investigation.
- Confident use of ERP systems / warehouse management systems for stock transactions, goods receipt and despatch.
- Competent Excel user.
Personal Attributes:
- Strong organisational skills.
- Strong leadership skills.
- Clear communication at every level, both verbally and written.
- Resilience – the ability to push through difficult situations at work.
- Strong safety and quality standards.
Salary: £40,000 – £45,000 per annum
Hours: 9am to 5pm (Mon-Fri)
For more information please contact niamh.robinson@jgr.co.uk or call our office on 01656 767778.
