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 Widnes
At the north-eastern edge of Cheshire lies Widnes, a town of around 60,000 population built on heavy industry, particularly chemicals, where ICI had a huge presence for decades before fragmenting in the 1990s. The chemical industry chose Widnes partly for the plentiful supply of water, just like Runcorn, to which it is joined by a railway and road bridge over the Mersey.
The centre of Liverpool is 11 miles (17 km) to the west, with Liverpool John Lennon Airport just 4 miles (7km) form the centre of Widnes. Although not actually in Widnes, the Jaguar Land rover car production plant is just outside the town in Halewood, and it has been a large employer of people from Widnes. For decades the plant was owned by Ford, and the locals still cal the main boulevard that passes it “The Ford Road”. Under the new management, the factory is doing extremely well, helped by a local enthusiastic workforce.
Widnes has two musical claims to fame, one certain, one apocryphal. First was the Stone Roses’ Spike Island gig, the pinnacle of the Madchester scene in 1990. The second claim is that Paul Simon wrote “Homeward Bound” at Widnes Station, although Simon isn’t 100% sure himself!
Widnes has retained many of its industrial plants, although they are no longer owned by the giant ICI, and have been taken over by a multitude of companies. The well-connected town is handy for Liverpool, Warrington, St Helens and Runcorn, and has the M62 at its northern point. All this makes it a good place to locate any logistics operations, and indeed, Despatch Manager jobs or similar positions have been through our system in Widnes.
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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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