Role: Transport Manager (USA)
Purpose of role: To contract management our 3PL transport operations partner, to deliver world class service to stores, safely and at minimum cost. This will be achieved through building highly effective relationships with stakeholders in retail & depot operations, customer services and third-party logistics partners. This role requires a strong transport background, highly effective influencing skills and an ability to collaborate and communicate effectively.
Reports to: Network Transport Manager
Based: Bethlehem (PA) USA (based on site)
Key Responsibilities:
- Ensure legal compliance of all transport delivery partners
- Provide day to day operational management and co-ordination of all USA store deliveries via contracted 3PL’s.
- Lead manage and mentor team members
- Analyse weekly / daily volumes to ensure most cost-effective transport solution is executed
- Interpreting, modelling and reviewing operational plans / outputs
- Ensure haulier compliance (Health and Safety, legal, process and service levels) are actively managed through audit and reporting.
- Identify opportunities to use alternative modes of transport
- Provide weekly / periodical reporting of KPI’s (e.g. cost, compliance, load fill, empty running, round trip / single trip, kms, PvA etc.)
- Reconcile and authorise haulier purchase orders ensuring accurate and timely submissions
- Carrying out periodic and quarterly reviews with logistics partners
- Collating and providing accurate and meaningful data to support business reviews, forecasts and budgets
- Review processes within all USA regions Transport Operations to ensure lean ways of working.
- Ensure compliance to Standard Operating Procedures taking into account regional variances/regulations etc
- Develop ‘best in class’ standards to support development of transport operation.
- Develop the most cost effective delivery method to new markets based on service
- Identify opportunities to improve backhaul / supplier collections ensuring best fit with operational strategy.
- Support Network developments and new store openings ensuring operational complexities are considered.
- Deliver CI initiatives and projects to manage potential operational change and improvement.
- Working in unison with other colleagues / departments to optimise network operation
- Management of c. $6m budget
Knowledge, skills experience:
- Proven track record and knowledge of transport operations in North American market
- Proficient in transport planning and scheduling systems
- Experience of change management and continuous improvement methodology
- National / USA recognised transport qualification
- Good knowledge of current USA transport legislation.
- Experience of depot / network operations
- Knowledge of Health & Safety requirements.
- Advanced IT skills to include MS Word, Excel , Outlook and PowerPoint.
- Attention to detail and accuracy.
- Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
- Multi-language including English
- Interpersonal skills - discreet, trustworthy and have the ability to build and maintain strong relationships internally and externally
- A flexible approach to work and be capable of managing priorities.
- Retail or other fast paced environments desirable
- Excellent all-round problem solving & influencing skills
- Ability to work on own initiative
- Commercially focused considering end to end costs
- USA travel required
The ideal individual will have:
- Ability to travel nationally on a regular basis (internationally in-frequently)
- Excellent influencing skills
- Be resilient under pressure with a proven ability to lead complex transport operations
- Strong operational experience within a USA road transport environment with extensive experience in a leadership position
- Knowledge of USA Transport legislation and operation challenges (e.g. driving bans etc.) essential
- Ability to work cross functionally, within a team or autonomously
- Be commercially focused
- A sound operational understanding of end to end supply chain processes and outcomes of change and the ability to overlay operational solutions (understanding the bigger picture)
- Have a strong knowledge of the USA market place
- Track record of delivering results and driving continuous improvement
- Experience of using a class leading Transport Management System