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 Hereford
Herefordshire is a county full of small towns, as is proved by the fact that its county town, Hereford, has a population of just 55,000 and is the county’s most populous settlement. It is located right in the middle of the county, which is wedged between Wales to the west and Worcestershire to the east. The town itself is 45 miles (73 km) south west of Birmingham, the same distance south of Shrewsbury and 25 miles (40 km) north west of Cheltenham. The nearest motorway is the M50, which comes to an abrupt stop 10 miles from the city limits.
One of the reasons for Herefordshire’s low population is that the county is largely agricultural; the Hereford is one of the UK’s most famous cattle breeds. Hereford cider is also well known. We all remember Woodpecker Cider, Hereford lightning … Don’t we? Hereford was a market town as well as a centre for religion and governance.
In modern times, Hereford is a hard working town, and still has a reputation for brewing and agricultural products. Bulmers makes Strongbow, Bulmers Cider and the aforementioned Woodpecker, but there are also Spinning Dog brewery, Wye Valley brewery and Weston’s Cider to keep the locals occupied (some of it makes it out of town too). With such a strong and popular market for nationally known products, Hereford could be a good place to seek Business Unit Director work at the moment.
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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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