Head of Distribution jobs
Getting products out of the warehouse and into the possession of clients is a complex enough task with a small operation, but in a large firm it’s a task with ever more intertwined elements that make its management a highly skilled task. One of the people in charge of overseeing this side of business will be the head of distribution.
Distribution will in many cases mean not only sending goods out to customers or internal departments based remotely, but also ordering them from other locations. Keeping abreast of the state of play within the department will the head of distribution’s main day-to-day task, but controlling the budget will also be key. There is always a less expensive way of doing something, but it usually means sacrificing quality or speed. The head of distribution’s success or failure will be directly linked to his or her ability to not only stay within the budget set from the general management, but also to constantly seek out efficiencies in the distribution network.
This will also mean that forecasting skills will be valued, as distribution is something that is affected by seasons, certain times and days of the week and special events. The head of distribution who can find efficiencies 24/7 will be highly valued.
The skills required
Great negotiating and communication skills will set the head of distribution off on the best footing. Savings can be made by careful consideration of the facts surrounding any distribution activity, but if customers do not like the results, any financial savings will be short-term in nature.
People management skills are essential, too, as it is those working below the head of distribution who will have to put into action the new ways of doing things that should bring the efficiencies. In some companies, the distribution head will be given a considerable amount of freedom to operate and make changes as he or she sees fit, and they will be judged on their results, so a responsible personality will be even more essential.
Good experience in management of large budgets and an analytical approach to problem solving will be key to the head of distribution’s success.
Head of Distribution Jobs in Hemel Hempstead
After World War 2, the government set about a programme of building New Towns around the UK to re-house those made homeless by the Blitz. One of the towns built for Londoners was Hemel Hempstead, although a village of the same name had existed there since before medieval times. The town is situated 20 miles (33 km) north west of the centre of London and 10 miles (17 km) south of Luton, with St Albans just to the east.
The town has a shopping centre in the middle, and to the north east there is a large industrial complex called the Hemel Hempstead Industrial Estate. The estate came to worldwide prominence in December 2005 when there was a massive explosion at the Buncefield oil storage terminal. The explosion was supposed to be so loud that it was heard on mainland Europe; the sky glowed and a pall of black smoke covered drifted over London; thousands of properties were damaged. As well as being a depot for forecourt tankers, the depot had pipelines going directly to Heathrow Airport, which had to ration fuel and caused some travel disruption.
The depot was such an important part of the nation’s fuel infrastructure that it was ordered to be rebuilt, and it continues to grow as new parts are brought on stream. The rest of the industrial park continues to rebuild, and the town remains an important element in the UK’s supply system. With such good connections to London by road and rail, and with Luton Airport just up the M1, the town is well placed to continue growing. It’s not unusual for Head of Distribution jobs to come up in Hemel Hempstead, so it’s worth checking with us if you are looking.
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Cast UK’s logistics opportunities
With jobs in every county and every city of the UK, Cast UK are well placed to find you work in logistics, procurement or supply chain wherever you are in the country, now or in the future. If you’re moving house, check out the positions available in your new area; and if you’re simply looking for a career advancement, we’ve always got jobs and clients who are looking for your skills.
Our founder members and consultants are all from the backgrounds we deal exclusively with, and have great knowledge of what employers and candidates are looking for. Employers often ask us to look for candidates because they are confident that we’ll help them find the most appropriate people.
We’d love to hear from you if you’re looking for a job in logistics. Once we have your details, we’ll be able to start matching you with positions as soon as they arise.
To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Head of Distribution for your business or find you a job as a Head of Distribution then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
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