Operations Manager 4PL

The Company

Yusen Logistics is working to become the world’s preferred supply chain logistics company. Our complete offer is designed to forge better connections between businesses, customers and communities – through innovative supply chain management, freight forwarding, warehousing and distribution services. As a company we’re dedicated to a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring everyone who works with us is committed, connected and creative in making us the world’s preferred choice.

The successful postholder will effectively lead and manage the dedicated Yusen operations teams in delivering Yusen Logistics’ service commitment and customer expectations across a global geography, through robust and sustainable processes aligned to quality, service and cost control. Part of this role will include cross fertilisation of best practices amongst the operations teams and identifying and delivering tangible improvements in all aspects. You will work alongside Yusen Procurement, Commercial, Quality and IT departments and must have the ability to manage effectively, clearly communicate, monitor progress and manage expectations as this is important for the success of this operation.

This role requires you to you will manage teams across Italy, Spain, Poland, and France, therefore we are looking for someone with proven strong leadership and change management skills with the flexibility to travel to Europe on a regular basis.

The role will offer a salary of up to 55k (depending on experience) with a car allowance of £6000 per annum.

The Benefits

- Car allowance of £6,000 per annum

- Remote working, up to 3 days per week (Subject to Business Requirements)

- Bonus (up to 12%)

- Permanent Health insurance cover (40% of salary cover)

-Health Cash plan

- Pension scheme – 6 % matched employer contribution

- Comprehensive private family health cover

- 25 days' holiday (excluding bank holidays) and 5 days Volunteer Leave per year

- Opportunity for Unpaid Leave

- Up to 10 days international remote working

- Critical Illness Cover

- MyStrength Wellbeing App

- Free online Fitness Platform i.e. Pilates & Yoga, Mindfulness/Meditation, 24/7 support, advice, diet and Nutrition

- Employee benefits i.e. Free eye test, up to 25% off gym membership, high street vouchers

- Free access to 24/7 online GP, mental health support service, Life Events Counselling, Care Concierge Service

- Tailored development and career opportunities

Main Responsibilities

1. Team Leadership

a. Creating effective, cross-collaborative teams and developing strong succession and development plans.

b. Responsible for creating well-functioning and balanced teams through recruitment and training.

c. To ensure all team members receive the required level of training and development to succeed within their current and future roles, managing and monitoring levels of performance through the annual PDR process, objective setting and any other mechanisms as appropriate, providing appropriate levels of mentoring and support.

d. Ensure all team members are aware of key business outcomes, processes and expectations, delivering all company communications in a consistent and timely manner, providing feedback as appropriate.

e. Ensuring due attention is provided to employee welfare, identifying and signposting areas of support where necessary, ensuring functional arrangements are in place to protect the wellbeing of all employees

f. Ensure all company procedures are managed in a consistent and fair manner, including but not exclusively holidays, PDR, absence, performance, disciplinary. Supporting with business investigations, disciplinary and grievance processes across the organisation as necessary

2. Operations

a. Line management responsibility for local operations Managers across Europe and operational responsibility for linehaul movements.

b. Develop and manage the achievement and ongoing review of SLAs, identify improvements associated with quality, service and cost, and trend root cause analyses of issues for improvement. Protect Yusen’s position by ensuring our partners deliver against agreed SLAs.

c. Ensure adherence to contractual obligations via KPI implementation and management.

d. Ensure targeted KPIs are reported internally and externally and present data to demonstrate achievements of SLAs.

3. Financial/Legal

a. Directly responsible for €10m (primary distribution) per annum, linking into €15m secondary distribution.

b. Support contract renewals and enter renegotiations through lane tenders.

b. Support procurement activity delivery, i.e. market tenders, benchmarking, and engagement with potential new suppliers.

c. Support Contract manager 4PL with Budget / Forecast production as well as investigating any trading variances.

d. Compile a detailed monthly financial summary report to Yusen senior management. Identify and track all cost saving initiatives.

e. Review and monitor achievement of Yusen budgetary performance.

f. Capable of developing clear and up-to-date procedural documentation.

4. Quality

a. Key escalation point for 3PLs, Customer LOCs, Customer Central Teams and partners for operational and IT issues or concerns.

b. Decision maker for operations and linehaul distribution. Effectively manage expectations, risks, issues and actions.

c. Represent Yusen in monthly business reviews with customer LOCs, partners and suppliers, holding the accountability for local operations teams and linehaul performance, demonstrating insight and continuous improvement.

d. Define recommendations, educate customer on transport solutions and standards, presenting benchmark operations.

e. Lead local TMC teams in terms of customer service trends, facilitate developments in Customer Service department.

5. Strategy & Project Management

a. Promote Yusen corporate values and objectives and develop initiatives in line with the business unit’s and wider company’s strategic vision.

b. Represent Yusen positively in a customer-facing role whilst actively seeking further business opportunities.

c. Proactively understand market trends and competitor plans to safeguard Yusen business.

d. Project manage and implement required improvements in Operations, Quality/Compliance, Finance, and Commercials, to ensure exceptional Customer Service in line with budget.

c. Lead IT and operational projects, managing both customer and suppliers as well as internal stakeholders through regular meetings and presentations to ensure successful conclusion.

e. Produce all project documentation including project plan, scope, impact of change, meeting minutes, RAID log management, and ensure Review and monitor achievement of Yusen budgetary performance correct distribution.

Key Requirements

• Leadership qualities, motivating a large, diverse team.

•Knowledge & understanding of effective customer & supplier relationship management principles.

•Experience of managing cross-border transport.

• Strong data analysis skills- ability to analyse data- Expertise in the use of dashboards and reporting tools.

• Excellent communication skills.

• Ability to influence effectively across all levels.

• Pharmaceutical knowledge is desirable.

• Commercial awareness and cost management (desirable)

• Ability to prioritise workload, effectively managing multiple tasks.

• 3PL or 4PL Logistics background would be an advantage

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those under consideration will be contacted.

Yusen Logistics is an equal opportunities employer, who encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible applicants regardless of their personal circumstances. We make our recruiting decisions solely based on the skillset and experience. Diversity allows us to create an inclusive environment, where our employees can strive and grow their potential.