General Manager

Milton Malsor, Northamptonshire
Webrecruit

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.

We are looking for a General Manager to be based in our Sustainable Distribution Centre (NN7 2FR). During the first six months, the position holder will play a key part in our Tilbrook (MK7 8BN) site, supporting the relocation of operations to the SDC and helping shape the future of our logistics environment.

Reporting to the Regional General Manager, the General Manager will be responsible for the strategic planning and growth of the site & contracts within their remit. They will maintain and develop exceptional customer relationships and ensure that the KPIs and operational targets are met through relevant contract teams.

The role will offer a salary range of £70,000-80,000 DOE.

What we offer

• Car allowance of £6000 per annum
• Bonus (up to 10%)
• Permanent Health insurance cover (40% of salary cover)
• Pension scheme – 6% matched employer contribution
• Comprehensive private family health cover
• 25 days’ holiday (excluding bank holidays)
• 5 days Volunteer Leave per year
• Opportunity for Unpaid Leave
• Up to 10 days international remote working
• Critical Illness Cover
• On Site Mental health First Aiders
• 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

Key responsibilities

1. Contract Management
   • Robust account management for all contracts in line with commercial trading agreements and operational requirements
   • Establish and maintain exceptional customer relationships, ensure excellent customer service and timely feedback and reporting to the customer while acting as the point of escalation for customer service issues
   • Ensuring that professional and effective communication is always maintained
   • Ensure Monthly and Quarterly business reviews are conducted and documented with actions and owners identified
2. Profitability & Revenue Growth
   • Drive an agile and sustainable operation across multiple customers to deliver gross margin expectations
   • Identify growth opportunities for existing customer portfolio for full end to end supply chain services that YL offer
   • Identify and progress account development opportunities for service enhancement or additional business/volumes
3. Automation
   • Drive implementation of a robust automation strategy, leveraging relevant technologies to optimise distribution site operations
   • Develop a strategic partnership with the automation providers, establishing the SLAs and KPIs and driving the expected service levels
4. Team Leadership
   • Drive a culture of cross functional collaboration, seeking the best outcomes and opportunities for all business units, leveraging best practice and continuous improvement throughout the organisation
   • Develop innovative and creative approaches to support and drive business strategies and goals
   • At all times consider the wide effects of departmental decision making on the wider organisation, setting precedent and maintaining consistency of approach across the workforce
   • Understanding the commercial impact of any financial decision making
   • Develop and maintain a productive external network, providing opportunities for business insight, best practice, innovation and experience share
   • Drive engagement across the site
   • Acts as a role model in the business, observing and promoting the Company values and behaviours and addressing shortfalls in a timely and proactive manner, regardless of where these are demonstrated
5. Sustainability
   • Identify opportunities to reduce environmental impact and enhance CSR. Lead and deliver sustainability initiatives aligned with external and internal next zero targets
   • Actively promote sustainable solutions to Yusen customers
6. HSE
   • Ensure that a best-in-class HSE performance is maintained within the site and that a culture of safety in everything we do is embedded
   • Drive an engaged and robust H&S agenda across the contract as part of the Senior Management Team
   • Lead by example, providing guidance and mentoring as necessary to ensure a consistent approach by all employees
   • Ensure all health and safety procedures are adhered to all times, raising any non-compliances or concerns at the earliest opportunity, recommending, and implementing any agreed changes
7. Finance and budgets
   • Close management and trend analysis of operational discretionary spend
   • Implementation of profit-enhancing/cost-reduction initiatives
   • Managing financial data flows to strict deadlines to ensure the accurate production of monthly management accounts – accruals, prepayments, cross charges
   • Management of cost in line with budgeted targets, addressing any potential issues or deviances in a timely manner
   • Ensure supplier agreements and terms of business are effectively managed, taking appropriate action as necessary to address contraventions
   • Ensure compliance with YLUK Financial processes and procedures within the function, offering guidance and support to ensure this remains appropriate to the business

Key requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or applicable experience required
• IOSH Managing Safely qualification desirable
• Experience in the field of contract logistics
• Demonstrable track record of commercial, financial, and operational management in a logistics environment
• Experience in technology integration to drive efficiencies and operational improvements.
• Experience of building and leading a highly performing team
• Proven experience of identifying and successfully implementing sustainable solutions reducing carbon footprint
• Experience of managing complex automated operations
• The ability to influence stakeholders both internally & externally and at different levels of seniority
• Proven ability to lead organisational change and adapt to evolving business environment
• Ability to utilise data driven insights to make informed decisions and drive performance improvement
• Ability to navigate and optimise strategies in the evolving marketplace
• Ability to build external industry network, identifying trends and best practice.
• Flexible and proactive approach
• Commercial mindset
• Excellent communication and customer service skills

At Yusen Logistics, we understand the value of utilising AI and other technologies to support the application process. Still, we encourage candidates to use them to enhance their applications rather than replace their own effort and authenticity. Therefore, candidates should not rely on AI-generated responses during the interview process.

DISABILITY CONFIDENT Yusen Logistics is an equal opportunities employer that encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible applicants, regardless of their personal circumstances. We make our recruiting decisions solely based on skillset and experience. Diversity allows us to create an inclusive environment where our employees can strive and grow their potential. Yusen Logistics are proud to be a ‘Disability Confident Committed’ employer.