National Expo & Events Logistics Manager

Kühne + Nagel; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan

Route 2 Rewards

Employee assistance programme

Gold Covenant – forces-friendly

Job summary

Kuehne+Nagel in the United Kingdom is seeking a logistics professional to support operational planning and deployment for our official events, coordinating with the department GM and cluster Director. You will lead onsite teams, manage freight movements, negotiate with clients, and drive continuous improvement using digital tools, with travel across the UK and occasional international assignments.

This role requires strong organisational skills, a full UK driving licence, and a commitment to

Qualifications

• Hands-on freight logistics experience across sea, air and road.
• Experience leading onsite teams and coordinating complex projects.
• Excellent organisational skills and documentation management.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a dedicated team delivering logistics and operational support for organiser accounts.
• Oversee the full project lifecycle from planning through post-event evaluation.
• Act as the main client contact to understand exhibition schedules and negotiate pricing.
• Provide hands-on support at events with UK travel and occasional international travel.
• Coordinate large-scale freight movements across transport modes and meet critical deadlines.
• Lead onsite teams across UK and EU locations with real-time problem solving.
• Oversee budget, forecast needs and report on performance.

Skills

Full UK Driving Licence

Job description

The role will be required to assist with operational planning, team deployment and operational deployment of our official appointed events as well as supporting network opportunities. The role will provide regular assessments and updates to the department General Manager & relevant clusterDirector, communicating any issues or concerns that need to be actioned in a timely manner.

How you create impact

• Lead and manage a dedicated team responsible for delivering comprehensive logistics and operational support for high-profile organiser accounts.
• Oversee the full project lifecycle from initial planning through to post-event evaluation, ensuring seamless execution of KN E+E official appointments.
• Act as the primary point of contact for clients, engaging directly to understand exhibition schedules, negotiate pricing structures, and ensure the successful delivery of operational services. Build and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with key stakeholders
• Provide hands-on support at events, with a significant focus on domestic travel across the UK and occasional international travel and ensure onsite operations are executed to the highest standards, representing the company professionally at all times.
• Manage complex logistics requirements when required to support the team, including the coordination of large-scale, time-sensitive freight movements across multiple transport modes and ensure all shipments meet critical deadlines and comply with relevant regulations.
• Lead onsite teams across various UK and EU locations, ensuring efficient project delivery and adherence to client specifications and provide real-time problem-solving and decision-making to maintain operational excellence.
• Oversee the functional area budget, ensuring cost-effective delivery of services while maintaining high standards as well as monitor expenditures, forecast financial needs, and report on budget performance.
• Champion the use of innovative solutions and emerging technologies to enhance service delivery and promote adherence to current digital tools and platforms, driving continuous improvement and operational efficiency.

• Hands-on experience with sea, air, and road freight logistics, preferably within a project-based or time-sensitive environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex projects, ideally incorporating lean management principles to drive efficiency and continuous improvement.
• Highly organised with excellent administrative capabilities, essential for managing documentation, schedules, and operational workflows.
• Familiarity with customs clearance procedures, including ATA Carnets and Temporary Import processes, is highly desirable.
• Strong track record of anticipating and resolving operational challenges with initiative and resourcefulness.
• Ability to perform effectively in fast-paced, high-pressure environments while maintaining attention to detail and service quality.
• Committed to delivering exceptional service and building strong client relationships through responsiveness and professionalism.
• Full UK Driving Licence

It's more than a job

As a member of the Freight Forwarding team Kuehne+Nagel, you will play a key role in transporting goods, optimising processes, and fulfilling our customers' promises. And by transporting medicines, toys and important machine parts, you are not only delivering goods, you are making small and big moments possible for people all around the world. At Kuehne+Nagel, our contribution counts in more ways than we imagine., If you would like to become a valued member of our team, we will make sure that you're rewarded for your commitment and expertise. You can join the contributory Kuehne+Nagel pension plan and enjoy our Route 2 Rewards scheme, which offers everything from discounts, benefit information, recognition and its own wellbeing centre. We care for our colleagues (and their immediate family) with our employee assistance programme providing access to 24/7 GP, legal and financial advice along with mental health counselling. All of this to help you live a happier and healthier life. As proud holders of the Gold Covenant, we are a forces-friendly employer who recognise the skills, expertise and value service leavers bring to our organisation.

Who we are

Logistics shapes everyday life - from the goods we consume to the healthcare we rely on. At Kuehne+Nagel, your work goes beyond logistics; it enables both ordinary and special moments in the lives of people around the world.

As a global leader with a strong heritage and a vision to move the world forward, we offer a safe, stable environment where your career can make a real difference. Whether we help deliver life‑sav­ing medicines, develop sustainable transportation solutions or support our local communities, your career will contribute to more than you can imagine.