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 Manchester
As one of the UK’s largest cities, Manchester has long been an important location in Britain’s industrial and economic pursuits - and here at Cast UK, we can help you find Head of Freight vacancies in this thriving metropolis.
By the 1500s, the city was known for its textile markets and wool trade. As canals were built over the next 200 years and cotton overtook wool as the material of choice, Manchester continued to grow in importance and population. During the 1800s with the birth of the Industrial Revolution, the city became a pivotal point in the British economy.
Today, it’s said that Manchester has been reborn, becoming a centre of culture and media. Indeed, with the BBC’s move to the north, it’s generally agreed that Manchester is the second city of the UK (although Birmingham may disagree). In addition to the BBC, Granada Television - an ITV franchise - is situated in the city and so is The Guardian newspaper’s head office.
Of course, there are plenty of other big employers operating out of Manchester as it is a major hub for finance, banking, insurance and logistics industries. Some of the big names in business operating out of Manchester are Thomas Cook, McVitie’s, Kellogg’s, Google and Stagecoach.
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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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