Job Title: Head of Logistics - Application process will close on the 12th Oct 2025
Location: Blackbird Central Production Unit
35 Rothschild Street
SE27 0JN
Company: Blackbird Bakery Ltd
About Us: Authentic traditional artisanal delights at our independent South London bakery. Our expert bakers meticulously craft each item using the finest ingredients. Traditional sourdough, irresistible cakes, delectable sweet and savoury pastries along with Gift Vouchers and a wholesale supplier for local business
Role Overview:
The Head of Logistics will be responsible for overseeing and optimizing the logistics and supply chain operations across our retail sites and CPU. This role is vital in ensuring timely delivery of products, managing packing team, inventory levels, and supporting our expansion strategy.
Key Responsibilities:
* Develop and implement logistics strategies to enhance operational efficiency and support business growth.
* Manage the end-to-end supply chain process, including procurement, inventory management, warehousing, and distribution.
* Optimize transportation routes and methods to ensure efficiency and timely deliveries to retail sites.
* Collaborate with production teams to align supply with demand and manage stock levels.
* Monitor and analyze logistics performance metrics to identify areas for improvement.
* Negotiate contracts and maintain relationships with suppliers, carriers, and third-party logistics providers.
* Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations and industry standards.
* Lead and mentor the logistics team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Transportations
and logistics:
* Ensure effective utilisation of vehicles for
delivery route planning
* Control fuel usage and delivery times, evaluating
performance
* Effectively manage and monitor inter-shop
transfers of stock and equipment
* To compile, implement and manage delivery
schedules to satisfy customer orders maintaining 100% on time delivery with no
back orders.
* To effectively manage the transport fleet [and
equipment] ensuring that all vehicles are maintained in a good and clean
condition and used to optimum operational levels.
Reports
and cost controls:
* To prepare and administer budget, financial analysis
and KPI’s implementing corrective measures and strategies to meet commercial
objectives and key performance indicators.
* To maintain and constantly improve existing
systems and controls to improve service, minimise logistics’ costs and drive
quality ultimately supporting company expansion.
* To co-ordinate work flow between departments
[supply/storage, production/distribution] seamlessly delivering process that
meets logistics targets, quality standards and agreed service levels.
* Establish and maintain strong internal/external
relationships with key contacts, 3rd parties, food
production, customers, ops and retail to optimise performance and achieve continuous
improvement.
* Produce weekly/monthly KPI’s on logistics to
include; management of drivers hours and vehicles
Team
management and development:
* Periodically accompany drivers for monitoring and
coaching purposes
* To recruit, manage, coach and develop all team
members ensuring alignment with company plan.
* To influence and shape a positive working climate
built on the ‘Blackbird Experience and Signature’ creating an environment where
performance is actively managed and people are motivated and engaged.
* Conduct regular appraisals of team
* Ensure technical and legislation training is fully
up to date and achieved
Health
& Safety, Food Quality and General Standards:
* To ensure compliance with all statutory and
company food safety, Health and Safety, hygiene, environmental
and transport requirements.
* Ensure
traceability of all products to customer is adhered to
* Ensure
‘cold chain’ of supply is not broken
* Conduct
regular risk assessments of vehicles and equipment
* To proactively resolve problems and
effectively respond to change by initiating appropriate actions, communicating
urgency and establishing priorities so that delivery requirements and
commercial targets are met.
* To contribute to the development and
implementation of the company strategy to support the
attainment of the company’s strategic objectives.
* To lead and participate in
project based assignments aimed at supporting business strategies and
practices.
Additional Responsibilities:
* Organise
vehicle and equipment maintenance
* Monitor
parking and traffic violations and offences caused by drivers
* Oversee
the organisation of CPU storage spaces
* Assist
with the co-ordination of events tying delivery of goods and equipment together
in line with the marketing plan
* Arrange pick up of
ingredients from designated suppliers in the event of emergency
Qualifications:
* Desired extensive experience in logistics and supply chain management, preferably within the food or retail industry.
* Strong knowledge of inventory management systems and logistics software.
* Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
* Exceptional leadership and team management abilities.
* Strong negotiation and communication skills
* UK driving licence
* Good knowledge of London streets and home counties
* Knowledge of operating procedures and reporting systems (able to
produce KPI’s)
* Planning and scheduling skills
* A flexible approach to working shifts which may include weekends
and Bank Holidays.
* Experience of risk
assessments ,fleet control and H&S level 2
What we offer:
* Competitive salary and benefits package.
* Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
* A dynamic and supportive work environment as part of a growing business.