Solutions Development Manager

Culina; Desborough; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company Bonus

Private Medical Cover

Company car

Job summary

Culina is seeking a Solutions Development Manager to lead the design of tender responses for the Contract Logistics division. Based at a Midlands or North Great Bear depot, the role involves developing commercially competitive warehouse and transport solutions and coordinating with operations, IT and finance teams.

You will analyse customer requirements, build financial models, manage tender scopes, and contribute to marketing materials while travel to depots is required.

Qualifications

• Commercial awareness of the UK 3PL sector with operations or solution design background.
• Track record in logistics solutions design with commercial accountability.
• Ability to lead a tender process and coordinate cross-functional teams.
• Proficient in advanced Excel (macros; pivot tables; data links; lookups).
• Understanding of warehouse rates and P&L implications.

Responsibilities

• Lead solution design for tenders and commercial proposals.
• Plan and coordinate tender responses with Directors and teams.
• Design warehouse and transport solutions following best practice.
• Develop financial models and perform cost analyses.
• Assist with marketing materials and industry knowledge sharing.

Skills

Commercial awareness

Analytical skills

Board-level communication

Leadership

Tender management

Automation experience

Tools

Excel

Financial modelling

Job description

Solutions Development Manager Full-time

Company Description

Who are Culina?

Culina is the UK's leading independent specialist supply chain partner, trusted by some of the nation's best recognised food, fast-moving consumer goods (FMGC) and retail brands. We're proud to employ over 22,000 colleagues across 100+ locations nationwide, supported by a fleet of more than 5,500 trucks and trailers delivering every day.

We currently have an exciting opportunity in our Contract Logistics division - through flexible warehousing, transport and fulfilment solutions, we simplify complexity, drive continuous improvement and create exceptional experiences for customers. Delivering certainty. Creating value. Enabling growth.

Job Description Life in this role

As part of our, Contract Logistics division, we have an exciting opportunity to join the team as a Solutions Development Manager.

Reporting to the Senior Solutions Development Manager, you will work within the Business Development function, responsible for leading the solution design of tender responses, designing and delivering commercially competitive solutions for warehouse opportunities.

This role can be based at any of our Great Bear depots within the Midlands or North area however some travel will be a requirement as part of the role.

Working hours: Monday to Friday, 40 hour week.

Key Duties of a Solutions Development Manager

• Communicate directly with customers during all stages of the tender process.
• Analyse customer requirements including tender documents and data. Assess business development opportunities in the context of Great Bear's existing operations and provide executive summaries. Make recommendations regarding the suitability of potential new business.
• Plan and coordinate project and tender responses. Make recommendations regarding bid scope. Liaise with Regional Operations Directors, operations teams and specialist functions within the business throughout all phases of the tender process.
• Design warehouse and transport solutions taking into account industry best practice, including: Warehouse processes; layouts; equipment; vehicle routing and shift planning, IT systems; management and admin structures.
• Develop and execute appropriate models to determine resources (people, equipment, property, IT, transport etc.) to feed into financial models.
• Manage quotes for sub-contracting any non-core services which form part of tender scope.
• Prepare profit and loss budgets in conjunction with finance teams.
• Provide detailed financial and operational comparisons for alternative solutions highlighting risk.
• Prepare tender response documentation and presentations.
• Assist with the development of company marketing materials.
• Maintain an up to date knowledge of developments in the industry through membership of a professional body (e.g. CILT), attending industry events and training courses.
• Support the development of other members of the business development team.
• Support the implementation of new contracts.

Qualifications What you'll need...

• The successful candidate will have a commercial awareness of the UK third party logistics sector gained through an operations or solution design background. You will possess excellent analytical and IT skills essential to produce detailed operating cost models. You will be comfortable communicating at Board Level and presenting proposals to customers. You will be forward thinking in reviewing any suitable automation opportunities for the projects you work on.
• Successful track record working in a logistics solutions design role with commercial accountability. Operational experience advantageous.
• Ability to lead a team through the tender process and produce high quality results. Leverage support from other departments e.g. IT, operations, HR, facilities management, to ensure appropriate engagement in solutions design and the tender process.
• Technically proficient using advanced Microsoft Office Excel functionality (macros; pivot tables; data links; lookups; etc.) with the ability to deal with complex data management.
• Current and in depth understanding of commercial warehouse rates and profit & loss.
• Confident communicating with Senior Management, Key Stakeholders and customers up to and including Board Level.
• Capable of working under pressure to meet critical deadlines and complete objectives.
• Experience of automation technologies currently in the market.
• Ability to use industry-recognised simulation and modelling tools is not essential but may be advantageous e.g. CAD, CLASS, CAST, Paragon etc.

Additional Information What is in it for you?

If you're looking for a role where you can make an impact, develop your career, and be part of a team that works as one to achieve great results, we'd love to hear from you.

Benefits

• Company Bonus - we achieve more when we work together, that's why we celebrate our shared success through our bonus scheme.
• Private Medical Cover - enjoy peace of mind with access to Bupa's healthcare services.
• Company car o