Location: UK, Home-based with travel
About Us
We are DS Smith, together with International Paper, we are a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions and other fibre-based products. We believe a better, more sustainable tomorrow is possible with the right people, who challenge and support one another to enact positive change. We employ more than 65,000 colleagues in North America and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), who are experts in innovation, manufacturing, design, sales, sustainability, supply chain, and much more. Together with our customers, we make the world safer and more productive, one sustainable packaging solution at a time. Become part of a world-leading organisation and do your best work with us!
About the role
We have an exciting opportunity for a UK Logistics Operations manager to lead all logistics related activities including inbound/outbound operations, warehousing, inventory management and transportation, ensuring they are executed safely, properly and in the most cost-effective way, achieving or improving customer expectations. You will also manage supplier relationship as well as spend optimisation, own the annual Loss Analysis process (operational improvements) and work closely with Procurement on tendering activity and Operational impacts.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Ensure appropriate execution of business and functional strategy that unlocks short- & long-term sustainable end to end value in service, EBITA, and working Capital.
2. Build in alignment with Finance, Sales and Supply Chain Teams a robust logistics budget/forecast with clear assumptions based on market conditions, cost driver inflation, contract indexation and productivity projects/initiatives.
3. Oversee, manage and measure Logistics performance vs PY/Budget/Forecast through monthly review process following agreed approach (waterfall) and an appropriate Logistics scorecard.
4. Work closely with our Procurement function (Category Managers) to ensure the most effective contracts for business and to identify opportunities in terms of cost and service.
5. Lead continuous improvement culture implementation under logistics scope: Conduct workshops to identify efficiency opportunities such as planning optimisation, urgencies reduction, customer service level cost optimization (order batch, filling rates, lead time, etc.)
6. Drive the Group Supply Chain Transformation initiatives and agenda in Logistics across the Sub-Region Stakeholder engagement.
About You
7. Degree level or equivalent by experience.
8. Proven experience in Logistics management, both in transformation and operational roles (ideally within the FMCG sector, within food production or similar industries).
9. In-depth understanding of logistics operations, inventory management, and supply chain processes in the UK market.
10. Experience of managing 3PL/4PL providers.
11. Previous experience in key systems such as ERP, TMS and/or an WMS; advanced Excel skills.
12. Strong organisational, problem-solving and analytical skills, with excellent communication, influencing and leadership abilities.
13. Fluency in English; another European language is an advantage.
To fulfil our purpose of redefining packaging for a changing world, we aim to build a diverse, motivated, and engaged workforce. Our goal is to create a culture of inclusion where everyone is treated fairly, differences are valued, and everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed.
Our people come from diverse backgrounds, bring different perspectives, ideas and experiences to generate unique solutions focused on present and future sustainability challenges. We welcome all candidates to apply, even those not meeting all criteria.
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