Despatch Manager jobs
Controlling stock to find the balance between wasting precious space and running out of stock is the job the despatch manager. Despatch areas can be complex to manage, often containing a mix of raw materials, intermediate items and finished products, so precise management of the various levels as they are brought in and sent out is absolutely essential.
As well as keeping completely on top of the comings and goings of the despatch area, the despatch manager will often be responsible for accounts, health and safety, security and personnel management, possibly as the manager of various departments. The general management of the company will have strict targets and goals, and it will be up to the despatch manager to ensure their realisation.
The skills required
As with any managerial role, good communication and people skills will be required if the despatch area is to run like clockwork; it will help reduce errors and keep the business goals at the forefront.
A quick-thinking and independent mind will also stand candidates in good stead, especially when key decisions might have to be made at 2 a.m. on a Sunday when superiors are away from the desk. With all the goods coming in and out of a busy area, it would be easy to lose control of what is there and what has moved on. No doubt the busy despatch area will be computerised nowadays, but even with this help, an aptitude for juggling several streams of thought at once will be an advantage.
Experience of using SAP and any warehousing IT solutions will usually be required.
Despatch Manager Jobs in the South West
A region that encompasses Bristol, Gloucester, Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire, as well as the Isles of Scilly, the South West is a diverse area that offers a broad range of opportunities for those seeking Despatch Manager positions.
As demonstrated by the ancient monuments like Stonehenge and the Roman ruins in Bath, the South West has been settled for thousands of years. In fact, the oldest complete human skeleton ever found in the UK was discovered in Cheddar Gorge and dates back to around 7150 BC.
Prior to the Industrial Revolution, much of the South West relied on fishing and shipping, particularly in Bristol, a city which harboured vessels that traded with Ireland, Iceland and the Americas. Later, it became known for coal mining, as well as heavy industry.
Today, aeronautics is an important part of the South West economy, and a number of companies have facilities in the region - such as Airbus UK, BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce. There's also Defence Equipment and Support - the MoD's procurement and logistics agency.
Cheese, clotted cream and other dairy products are made in the region, with companies including Dairy Crest, which makes Cathedral City and Davidstow. Other food and beverage manufacturers include Ginsters, Ryvita, Kraft Foods UK and Beverage Brands, makers of WKD vodka. Meanwhile GSK manufactures Lucozade and Ribena in Coleford.
In addition, Princess Yachts, Siemens Traffic Controls, Merlin Entertainments, Endsleigh Insurance, Westland Helicopters and Wincanton plc are all based in the region.
Popular locations
Cast UK’s logistics opportunities
People approach Cast UK looking for work for many reasons, from seeking more job fulfilment to moving house to looking for a promotion. Our founder members and our consultants come from the logistics, procurement and supply chain sectors, so we understand the needs of employers and candidates alike. As we only deal with these fields, many employers in the sector come to us first to create a candidate shortlist, so it’s certainly a good idea to register with us if you’re in the logistics sector.
We always have positions from the whole of the UK, so please see what’s available in your region and please do get in touch if you’ve seen something you’re interested in – we might just have the perfect job for you!
To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Despatch Manager for your business or find you a job as a Despatch Manager then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
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