Business Unit Director jobs
As logistics operations grow larger or diversify into other sectors, the normal management tree can start to show signs of strain as the need for excessive micromanagement leads to inefficiencies. It’s sometimes best to ring-fence a particular aspect of the business, which can either be geographical, sector-based or hierarchical, and treat is as a self-contained business with its own internal hierarchy and chain of command. The business unit will, of course, still be a part of the main company, but it will be granted a high degree of autonomy as long as it meets the board’s mission statement and income requirements.
The business unit director in logistics might have a busy depot or warehouse under his or her control, and to all intents and purposes it will be a company in its own right, with budgets, staffing and operations management to deal with. If the business unit is brand new, the director will need to fill it with a new structure of managers and staff. If it is a partitioned section of the existing business, much of the staffing will already be present, but the director will need to adjust the structure to take account of the new mode of operation.
On an ongoing basis, the role will involve setting strategic targets for operations and running the business from day to day, with the assistance of management layer. It will also involve recruitment, training, health and safety, personnel and dealing with grievances. While the unit will have contact with the rest of the business, it could be minimal, especially if everything is going as planned and targets are being met or exceeded.
The skills required
The job of business unit director would suit a self-starter who relishes the chance to run a de facto business with little interference from above. Although the amount of management from head office will vary from company to company, in some cases this could be minimal, and the business unit director will need to be able to cope with that responsibility. The role is often awarded to people who have already run the unit in all but name before its creation, but anyone with management experience, particularly in the sector in question, will be at an advantage.
Excellent people management and communication skills are a given, as without these the unit will not succeed. Directorships do not always involve day to day contact with management and staff, but under the unique conditions of the business unit, the director will have more in common with a general manager and must pitch his or her leadership in that context.
Business Unit Director Jobs in Derby
Located on the River Derwent in Derbyshire, Derby is among England's 20 largest urban areas and the broad range of businesses based there today make it a great option for those seeking new Business Unit Director vacancies.
Derby's history goes back to a Roman settlement called Derventio and the area was home to Saxon and Viking communities during its early years.
The Industrial Revolution marked an important turning point for Derby and the city was the first to reap the benefits of a water-powered silk mill in the early 1700s.
Other innovations later in the century led to improved techniques for manufacturing stockings. In addition, a number of cotton spinning mills were established.
Within 100 years, Derby had become an important industrialised city as well as the headquarters for a number of regional railways.
Rolls-Royce established a factory in 1907, constructing cars and aircraft, while the Derby railway works was a bustling facility that designed and built rolling stock for the nation's growing rail system. Indeed, the first diesel-electric locomotive was produced there in 1948.
There's no doubt that Derby's past has influenced its future and today its top employers continue to be based in automotive manufacture and railway engineering. These include Rolls-Royce, Toyota and Bombardier Transportation.
Other well-known companies include Egg, an internet banking company, and Alstom, a company that manufactures boilers and heat exchangers for industrial purposes. Meanwhile, the chocolate company Thorntons is headquartered in nearby Alfreton.
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Cast UK’s logistics opportunities
Our founder members and consultants all have backgrounds in logistics, procurement and supply chain, so we know what employers and candidates are looking for in their staff and careers respectively. Thanks to this focus, many employers come to us first to create a candidate shortlist because they know we’ll deliver the best people to them. Please see what’s available in your region and if you’ve seen something you’re interested in, do get in touch – whether it’s today or tomorrow, we might have the best position for you.
People approach Cast UK for a number of reasons, whether seeking more job fulfilment or simply relocating with the family, so it’s good to know that we always have the complete range of positions available nationwide. We are a growing force in logistics, procurement and supply chain recruitment, partly because these are the only sectors we deal with.
To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Business Unit Director for your business or find you a job as a Business Unit Director then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
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