We're looking for a Freight Manager to join our Supply Chain team! In this role, you will have end‑to‑end responsibility for managing all inbound freight modes globally, working closely with a network of freight forwarders and shipping partners. You will play a key role in overseeing freight operations to ensure efficiency, reliability, and cost‑effectiveness. You will collaborate with the Procurement team to manage and negotiate freight rates, ensuring that all freight services are delivered competitively while meeting business and operational requirements. Building and maintaining strong relationships with freight forwarders and shipping partners will be central to your success, enabling continuous improvement and high service standards. Working cross‑functionally, you will partner with internal stakeholders to deliver a high‑quality service that ultimately supports an excellent experience for our core customers. This role is based out of our Warehouse in Shaw, Oldham but will require occasional presence at our head office in Manchester. Working days are Monday‑Friday. What will you do as a Freight Manager at N Brown?
Responsibilities
* Challenge business processes around freight movement or otherwise to establish opportunities, best practice and efficiencies in freight movement efficiency, whilst maintaining service levels and costs.
* Develop strategies for business and stakeholder engagement to deliver business requirements, working and engaging cross‑functionally with all associated teams.
* Monitor and measure sea, air and road freight processes via internal and external systems, to identify cost saving opportunities, whilst considering container utilisation, priorities and supplier load compliance.
* Provide visibility of critical path and transit times to the Buying, Merchandising Teams.
* Monitor the industry‑leading route‑to‑market lead times, service and costs, benchmarked by multimodal transport options.
* Represent N Brown with freight forwarders, shipping partners and SCM providers, to ensure the delivery of SLAs, cost and behavioural compliance via monitoring of relevant KPIs.
* Ensure that costs and services are achieved, and business needs are met, by collaborating with internal stakeholders including Buying, Merchandising and Logistics.
* Work with the Logistics teams to help improve delivery planning, intake efficiency/accuracy, improving OTIF measures and lowering costs and reducing carbon usage by identifying solutions and working with the logistics teams to bring these opportunities to life.
* Where and when appropriate identify training requirements of the Buying, Merchandising, Partnerships and Logistics functions to support the efficient importing/exporting of goods.
* Establish and maintain a culture of continuous improvement, both internally and with key suppliers.
* Engage with trade bodies and suppliers to understand market best practice and changes in legislation.
Qualifications
* Minimum of 5 years working as a Freight Manager within a supply chain and logistics environment.
* Remain up to date with relevant changes within the regulations and systems concerned with the importing and exporting of goods.
* Contract management experience.
* In‑depth understanding of freight movement processes whether by sea, air, or road.
* Environmental awareness.
Benefits
* 24 days holiday (+ 8 bank holidays)
* Annual bonus scheme
* Enhanced maternity and adoption leave
* Company pension with up to 8% N Brown contribution
* Mental health support both internally and externally, including access to our wellbeing champions and counselling services
* A range of financial wellbeing support
* Stream – a financial wellbeing tool that helps you track your pay, access earnings early and manage your money with confidence
* Colleague discount across all N Brown brands
* On‑site café with subsidised rates and local restaurant discounts
* Private healthcare and life assurance
* Paid volunteer time – all colleagues can take a full day paid to volunteer for a charity of their choice
#J-18808-Ljbffr