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 York
Known for its towering cathedral and tiny medieval streets that weave through the centre, York may seem old-fashioned in some places, but it offers a wealth of modern-day opportunities for those seeking Head of Freight vacancies.
Of course, behind York's modern charm lies a city with a long history dating back thousands of years. Archaeological evidence has been found of a Mesolithic settlement from around 8000 BC, while there are also ruins of Roman and Anglo buildings.
Until the Industrial Revolution, York was a prominent trading town, although this dwindled in the 17th century as the city's main competitors, Leeds and Hull, began to take over.
However, the railway made it to York in 1839 and the city once again became a prominent location for the British economy. Indeed, companies like the North Eastern Railway, Rowntrees and Terry's were all based in the region during this time - and continued to be throughout the 20th century.
These days, much of York's business is in the service industry, including finance, IT and tourism. Some of the top employers in the region include Aviva, Shepherd Building Group and British Telecom.
Much of the confectionary industry has disappeared from York in the recent past, with a significant portion of production being moved abroad. However, Nestle still has headquarters and a large manufacturing and distribution facility in the city, making tasty treats like KitKats and Yorkie bars.
Popular locations
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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