Head of Freight
As logistics and supply operations grow bigger and travel further, it’s inevitable that they will also get more complex. And that’s when inefficiencies can start to creep in and the task can become overwhelmed with firefighting. That is, of course, unless there’s a good head of freight at the helm. Their job is to oversee the whole transport and logistics operation of a company, a region, a depot or a sector for a freight business.
Head of freight jobs come up regularly all over the world, and it’s no wonder why – a methodical, active philosophy to organising logistics, from the individual vehicle to the big strategic picture, keeps a logistics operation efficient and profitable. Look out for jobs called “Freight Forwarding Manager” or just “Freight Manager”, too, as they are usually similar roles, some of which are executive. In complex organisations the head of freight might well be overseeing a specific region, which can mean a county, a city, a country or a continent, depending on the nature of the business.
The skills required
The head of freight will have an excellent understanding of how supply chain interoperates, over sea, air, rail and road, and will understand how warehousing and fulfillment interact with last mile delivery and bulk logistics. Experience is key to filling this role at managerial level, so a proven track record in freight logistics is essential.
As head of freight, you’ll be occupying a position above the depot, driver and maintenance level, and possibly (but not necessarily) below board level, so you’ll need to be adept at communicating and understanding strategic instructions in both directions. You might be overseeing a small team of sub-managers, too, so high level managerial skills will come in handy.
Head of Freight Jobs in East Anglia
Situated on the North Sea, East Anglia is a region that includes counties like Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, as well as the city of Peterborough.
Up until the 17th century, most of the region was marshland. A network of river diversions and drainage systems built in the 1600s allowed the area to be converted to arable land and the population began to increase.
Prior to the Industrial Revolution, East Anglia was known for its textile production, but much of this industry moved north to the Midlands during the 18th and 19th centuries.
One of the most famous institutions in the region is the University of Cambridge, which is one of the world's oldest educational establishments. A near-by cluster of tech businesses - the so-called Silicon Fen - comprises a number of start-up companies, most of which can be linked to the university.
Much of East Anglia's economy is based in agriculture and food production and offers a broad range of opportunities for those seeking Head of Freight vacancies.
Colman's mustard is manufactured in the region, as is Robinsons squash. A Bernard Matthews turkey farm is located near Weston Longville and Aunt Bessie's roast potatoes are made in Westwick. Meanwhile, Premier Foods manufactures Hartley's Jam, Smash instant potatoes and Rose's Marmalade. In addition, Bird's Eye has two factories in the region.
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Head of freight jobs at Cast UK
Head of freight is one of the commonest positions we fill at Cast UK, mainly because of our supply chain background and the relationships we have built up over the years in the industry.
If you’re at a business that’s looking for a head of freight right now, or you regularly need regional or sectoral heads of freight to oversee your supply chain operations, call 0333 121 3345 today so we can start filling your vacancies.
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