Branch Manager

cargo-partner GmbH; Manchester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic Branch Manager to lead its operations in Manchester. This role is perfect for someone with a strong background in freight forwarding, particularly in air and ocean products. You will be responsible for P&L management, team leadership, and driving commercial initiatives to maximize profits. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with exceptional communication skills, ready to foster a positive team environment. Join a growing company with a supportive culture and enjoy various perks, including a competitive salary and opportunities for career development.

Benefits

Competitive salary and bonus

Company car/car allowance

Flexibility in working hours

Opportunities for home office

Company events

Free parking

Collaborative company culture

Qualifications

• Several years of managerial experience in freight forwarding/logistics.
• Strong business understanding and commercial acumen.

Responsibilities

• Oversee P&L responsibility and budget planning for the Manchester operation.
• Lead and develop the team, ensuring performance management.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

P&L Management

Freight Forwarding Knowledge

Commercial Acumen

Team Management

Problem Solving

Lean Management Methodologies

Education

Relevant education in forwarding/transport/logistics

Job description

Are you an operational leader within the freight forwarding industry looking for your next step? Are you a people person with a passion for logistics and ready to lead a Branch operation? If so, we have the perfect role at cargo-partner for you!

For over 40 years, we have served our clients with our Air, Ocean, Road, and Warehousing portfolio and we have enjoyed another very successful year at cargo-partner having strengthened our global position by joining the Nippon Express Group. As we look to continue our growth, we are recruiting a forward-thinking Branch Manager to join our UK headquarters at Manchester Airport.

Alongside P&L and budget planning, the Branch Manager will be responsible for overseeing our Sea, Air, Road & Customs operations, people management, coaching and development, and working with sales and product leaders to continually develop our product portfolio and maximise branch profits. We expect the Branch Manager to lead by example, building long-lasting relationships with stakeholders across the cargo-partner and Nippon Express Group network. To succeed, you will need to have product management experience or held a similar role at another freight forwarder, preferably from an operations background with some exposure to P&L.

This position will best suit a hands-on, communicative leader that has exceptional knowledge of Air and Ocean products and a strong understanding of the UK market. The incumbent will also need to be results-driven with commercial acumen and the appetite to expand our market share in the region.

Responsibilities:

1. P&L responsibility for the Manchester operation and budget planning.
2. Leadership and development of the team, including employee appraisals and performance management; you must be a true leader of people to succeed, setting clear goals, monitoring progress, and regularly evaluating team performance.
3. Direct the overall operational planning for the operations teams in accordance and alignment with the branch strategy.
4. Process review and continual improvement.
5. Assist with commercial/sales initiatives to maximise branch profits.
6. Integrating sustainability aspects into daily operations and projects to promote environmental and social responsibility.
7. Monitoring and compliance with legal requirements and other relevant environmental requirements.
8. Initiation, management, and implementation of continuous improvement processes.
9. Ensuring and complying with all statutory labor law requirements and implementing internal personnel guidelines (time recording, vacation planning, home/office regulations).
10. Ensuring all relevant HR processes (e.g., recruiting new employees in cooperation with HR, MAG, target agreements, personnel development, strategic personnel planning).

Desired skills/experience:

1. Clear and effective communicator with exceptional interpersonal skills.
2. Strong leadership skills setting a positive example, motivating your team, and creating a positive branch environment.
3. Several years of professional experience in a managerial position within the freight forwarding and logistics industry with a focus on air and/or sea freight.
4. Relevant education/qualifications in the field of forwarding/transport/logistics.
5. A strong business and entrepreneurial understanding.
6. A concrete understanding of sea, air, road, customs ops.
7. Commercial acumen.
8. Reliability, ability to work in a team, and structured way of working.
9. Strong solution and result orientation.
10. Knowledge of lean management methodologies with experience in application and implementation would be desirable.

What you will receive:

1. A future-proof position in a company that is growing in the UK with the backing of one of the world’s largest forwarders.
2. A competitive basic salary and bonus + company car/car allowance, depending on qualifications and experience.
3. National and international career and development prospects.
4. An engaging and diverse job with an independent area of responsibility.
5. Flexibility in working hours, opportunities for home office, company events, free parking, a collaborative company culture, and more.
6. You will inherit an incredibly talented and hardworking team in the Manchester branch!