Logistics Manager

Fleet News group; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

Fleet News group in Milton Keynes seeks an experienced Logistics Manager to lead a high‑volume despatch and logistics operation at our manufacturing site. The role focuses on delivering efficient goods‑in, packing, and outbound despatch while coordinating transport for UK and European customers.

You will manage a busy, hands‑on team, optimise vehicle utilisation and transport costs, and drive health and safety standards across the operation.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior logistics/dispatch role.
• Strong transport planning and vehicle utilisation knowledge.
• Ability to manage KPI-driven performance and costs.
• Experience leading a sizeable operational team and external providers.

Responsibilities

• Overseeing goods‑in operations and despatch readiness.
• Manage picking, packing and preparation for despatch.
• Coordinate loading for export, domestic, and inter‑company transfers.
• Organise transport requirements and loading instructions.
• Lead a varied transport operation from courier to large vehicles.
• Maximise vehicle utilisation and control logistics costs.
• Manage third‑party transport providers and service levels.
• Lead, develop and support the operational team.
• Collaborate with Production and fulfilment to balance priorities.
• Maintain strong health and safety standards throughout the operation.
• Monitor KPIs such as cost per tonne and service performance.

Skills

Logistics leadership

Transport planning

KPI understanding

Stakeholder management

Health & safety culture

Education

IOSH or NEBOSH desirable

Job description

We are seeking an experienced, hands‑on Logistics Manager to lead a high‑volume despatch and logistics operation at our Milton Keynes manufacturing site. This is a key operational leadership role within a well‑established UK manufacturer serving industrial and commercial customers across the UK and Europe.

Role: Logistics Manager
Salary: up to £60,000 per annum + benefits
Location: Milton Keynes

Responsibilities

• Overseeing goods‑in operations, including the receipt of steel, accessories and ancillary components.
• Managing picking, packing and preparation activities for products ready for despatch.
• Consolidating workloads and coordinating the loading and movement of goods for export, domestic customers and inter‑company transfers.
• Organising transport requirements and ensuring appropriate packaging and loading instructions are followed.
• Managing a varied transport operation, from courier movements through to articulated vehicles.
• Maximising vehicle utilisation and controlling logistics costs.
• Managing third‑party transport providers, ensuring vehicle availability, punctuality and service standards.
• Leading, developing and supporting the existing operational team.
• Working closely with Production and internal fulfilment teams to balance production pressures, customer requirements and despatch priorities.
• Maintaining strong health and safety standards throughout the logistics operation.
• Monitoring and improving operational KPIs, including cost per tonne, vehicle utilisation and service performance.

Requirements

We are looking for a practical, resilient and commercially aware logistics leader who can take ownership quickly and operate effectively in a demanding environment. The successful candidate will have:

• Proven experience as a Logistics Manager, or in a closely comparable senior operational role.
• Experience managing a busy, high‑volume despatch or logistics operation, ideally within manufacturing or an industrial environment.
• Strong experience of transport planning, vehicle utilisation, loading operations and third‑party haulier management.
• A sound understanding of logistics costs and operational KPIs, particularly cost per tonne and vehicle utilisation.
• Experience leading a sizeable operational team through Team Leaders and coordinators.
• A hands‑on management style, with the confidence to make decisions under pressure.
• Excellent stakeholder‑management and communication skills.
• A strong understanding of health and safety within a logistics environment; IOSH or NEBOSH qualifications are desirable.

The role of Logistics Manager will particularly suit someone who enjoys operational ownership, thrives in a fast-moving environment and wants to make a tangible impact within a well‑established manufacturing business.