Logistics Operations Manager

Fresh People; Stevenage; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Fresh People is recruiting a Logistics Operations Manager for a 24/7 FMCG manufacturing and distribution site in Stevenage. You will oversee the Transport and Despatch functions, drive safety culture, and manage budgets and KPIs, ensuring regulatory compliance and customer service at peak volume.

You will lead a high-performing team, develop the management group, and implement continuous improvement across safety, service, efficiency and cost at a site-based operation in Stevenage.

Qualifications

• Significant leadership experience in a high-volume transport and despatch operation.
• Proven track record of developing managers and teams.
• Strong budget management and KPI delivery in logistics.

Responsibilities

• Lead Transport and Despatch teams and performance.
• Ensure Operator's Licence compliance and safety standards.
• Manage logistics budgets, KPIs and cost reduction initiatives.
• Drive continuous improvement and include cross-functional collaboration.
• Develop and mentor site management and operational staff.

Skills

Leadership

People development

Budget management

Stakeholder management

Safety culture

Education

National Transport Manager CPC

Operator's Licence

Full UK driving licence

Job description

Logistics Operations Manager -Stevenage -24/7 FMCG Manufacturing & Distribution

We are recruiting an experienced Logistics Operations Manager to take responsibility for a high-volume Transport and Despatch operation within a fast-paced FMCG manufacturing environment in Stevenage.

This is a senior site leadership position for an accomplished Transport and Logistics professional who knows what a high-performing operation looks like and has the leadership capability to develop people, challenge existing ways of working and drive sustainable improvements across safety, service, efficiency and cost.

With further volume growth planned, this is an excellent opportunity to join the business at an important stage of development and play a key role in strengthening and developing the logistics operation.

The Role

As a key member of the site management team, you will lead the Transport and Despatch functions, taking responsibility for operational performance, legal compliance, safety, people development, customer service and logistics budgets.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading and developing the site Transport and Despatch teams
• Acting as custodian of the Operator's Licence and ensuring ongoing legal compliance
• Driving a strong safety-first culture across the logistics operation
• Taking ownership of logistics KPIs covering safety, service, efficiency and cost
• Managing the site logistics budget and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce cost
• Reviewing operational performance and implementing continuous improvement initiatives
• Developing the management team, setting clear expectations and addressing performance where required
• Ensuring transport and despatch operations consistently meet customer service and quality expectations
• Using operational, WMS, fleet and compliance data to improve productivity, resource planning, scheduling and decision-making
• Building strong relationships across Logistics, Manufacturing and other site functions
• Supporting the operation through planned volume growth and associated recruitment
• Deputising for the Regional Logistics Manager when required

About You

We are looking for an established Transport and Logistics leader with significant experience operating in a demanding, high-volume environment.

You must have:

• National Transport Manager CPC
• Previous experience of being named/placed on a business Operator's Licence
• Strong Transport and Logistics management experience
• Experience within a 24/7 FMCG or similarly fast-paced, time-critical operation
• Strong knowledge of transport legislation and legal compliance
• Proven experience leading and developing operational managers and teams
• Experience managing logistics budgets, costs and operational KPIs
• A track record of improving performance and successfully leading change
• Strong commercial awareness and customer focus
• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills
• Full UK driving licence

This role would particularly suit an experienced Logistics Operations Manager, Senior Transport Manager, Transport Operations Manager, Distribution Manager or Depot Manager looking for a broader senior leadership opportunity with responsibility for both Transport and Despatch.

This is a site-based opportunity in Stevenage and applicants must be able to commute reliably to the site.