Branch Manager - Freight Forwarding
Role Purpose
The Branch Manager is accountable for the overall performance, profitability, and operational leadership of the East Midlands freight forwarding branch. This role carries full P&L responsibility, ensuring the branch operates efficiently, grows revenue, delivers exceptional customer service, and aligns with Nippon Express strategic objectives.
The role requires a commercially astute leader capable of driving operational excellence, developing high-performing teams, and strengthening the branch's market position across air, ocean, and road freight services.
Key Responsibilities
Branch Leadership
* Lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing branch team across operations, customer service, and administration.
* Create a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
* Provide visible, hands-on leadership within the branch.
* Ensure alignment with Nippon Express values, policies, and operational standards.
P&L Ownership
* Hold full responsibility for branch P&L performance.
* Deliver against revenue, margin, and cost targets.
* Monitor and control branch overheads and operational costs.
* Produce and present monthly financial performance reports and forecasts.
* Identify and implement cost-efficiency initiatives and productivity improvements.
Commercial Performance
* Drive branch growth through customer retention, development, and new business collaboration with sales teams.
* Maintain strong relationships with key customers and strategic partners.
* Ensure pricing discipline and margin protection across all freight products.
* Support regional and national commercial strategy execution.
Operational Excellence
* Ensure efficient and compliant freight forwarding operations across air, ocean, and road.
* Maintain high standards of service delivery, compliance, and process consistency.
* Monitor KPIs, service levels, and operational productivity.
* Address operational risks proactively.
Stakeholder Management
* Act as the senior Nippon Express representative for the East Midlands branch.
* Collaborate with Finance, HR, Sales, and Product teams.
* Provide regular performance updates to UK leadership.
Skills & Experience
* Proven branch or operations leadership experience within freight forwarding or logistics
* Strong financial and commercial acumen with P&L responsibility
* Demonstrated ability to lead and develop teams
* Experience managing multi-modal freight operations
* Strong decision-making and problem-solving capability
* Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
* Results-driven leadership style
Leadership Profile
The successful candidate will be:
* A visible and credible leader
* Commercially driven and financially accountable
* Operationally strong and performance focused
* Comfortable working in a fast-paced logistics environment
* Able to balance strategic thinking with day-to-day execution