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 Royal Leamington Spa
The Romans, who loved a good mineral spring, knew all about the source, and would bathe in it between wine sessions. Centuries later the same spring would go on to make Leamington Spa’s fortune in the spa boom that gripped Britain in the nineteenth century. So popular was the town with Queen Victoria that she granted the town “Royal” status in 1838 (in fact it was called Leamington Priors until then, not Leamington Spa).
The town is located 20 miles (32 km) south east of the centre of Birmingham, 8 miles (13 km) south of Coventry and 27 miles (44 km) west of Northampton. As the popularity of spa towns declined towards the end of the nineteenth century, the town became a more typical industrial settlement, especially when the canals and railways came, although it kept some of its exclusive kudos and was a popular place for people from the cities to retire to or take a break. This led to it becoming a shopping town, and that aspect remains to this day. Engineering works, especially foundries, were common in the town, and that still goes on to some extent.
With an economically active population, good road and rail links, a fair amount of engineering work and some hi-tech industries in its business parks, Royal Leamington Spa is a deceptively promising place to find Head of Freight work. As a commuter town for Coventry, Birmingham and Leicester, it also opens up fantastic opportunities for anyone willing to travel.
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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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