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 Norwich
A city with a long and varied history, Norwich is the county town of Norfolk and from the 11th century until the Industrial Revolution, it was the second largest city in England after London.
During this period, Norwich was a market town known for its wool and textiles; it also traded pottery. There was a large cattle market during the 1700s and brewing became big business, peaking at the beginning of the 19th century. A number of microbreweries and artisan beer makers are still based in the region.
One of Norwich's best-known products is Colman's mustard, which has been made in the city since 1804 when Jeremiah Colman bought a flour mill in the area. He began producing mustard in 1814 and the company is still thriving in Norwich today - although it's now operated by Unilever and the range of products has expanded to include a variety of sauces and condiments.
Those seeking Head of Freight roles in Norwich will have a number of employment opportunities to consider. Aviva, an insurance company formerly known as Norwich Union, is a major employer, while Archant - a national publishing - company distributes a number of daily and weekly newspapers, as well as a variety of magazines.
In addition, Norwich is home to a massive research park that includes the facilities of more than 30 businesses based in biotechnology, food, nutrition, pharmaceuticals, medical technology, information science, computing and low-carbon energy.
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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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