Logistics Contract Manager jobs
The contracts that logistics companies have with their customers and suppliers are key to the efficient and profitable running of the business. Contracts can be thought of in two ways: the signed pieces of paper that the two parties have, the result of much thrashing at the negotiating table; and the relationship the two parties have as a business entity – i.e. an account.
The contract manager will be in charge of both aspects. He or she will be involved with tendering and will be present at the negotiations between the logistics firm and potential customers. Sometimes contracts are negotiated in one set of prevailing conditions but as time goes by and conditions change, their profitability might suffer for either party. The contract manager will need to be open to renegotiations, and must work to ensure that there is reasonable scope for such alterations in the initial negotiations.
Once contracts are agreed and up and running, the manager will monitor their day to day operation and ensure that all is running smoothly. Any issues with the customer will need to be dealt with by the contract manager. It is important to strike a balance between keeping good clients happy and maximising profitability.
The skills required
The contract manager will probably have a team under him or her, for example account managers and finance staff who will deal with the day to day contact with the customers. They will also have regular contact with the logistics team itself and head office who will be steering the company and instructing the contract manager on budgets etc. For these reasons, the contract manager will need to have excellent communication and people management skills.
A good understanding of the negotiating, contract drafting and contract realisation stages will stand the contract manager in good stead. Any previous experience of running a department or dealing with contracts will help. The job can also be a step up the career ladder for an experience account manager, too. The role comes with a good deal of responsibility and the ongoing profitability of the department and company will be in his or her hands.
Logistics Contract Manager Jobs in Stoke-on-Trent
Often simply referred to as Stoke, Stoke-on-Trent is a city in Staffordshire. It is also affectionately known as The Potteries, a name that date backs to the 1800s when the region became a leader in the production of ceramics, particularly decorative tiles, figurines and dishes.
The area around Stoke had long been recognised as an excellent source of clay, salt, lead and coal and many of the companies that started manufacturing ceramic goods on an industrial scale during the 17th century are still around today - such as Royal Doulton, Spode, Wedgwood and Dudson, which was founded in 1800 and is the oldest tableware manufacturer in the UK.
In addition, the 1842 Pottery Riots that which were sparked by unannounced pay reductions have been said to be some of the first examples of trade unionism in the country.
Of course, other industries have also helped shape the region. Coal mining was a large part of the local economy until the last pit closed in the mid 1990s. Meanwhile, the steel industry was a booming business throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.
These days, Stoke-on-Trent is a thriving community and a great location for anyone seeking Logistics Contract Manager vacancies.
As well as the ceramics companies that call the city home, a number of other businesses have offices in the region, including bet365, Phones4U and the Michelin tyre company. Other companies, like Sainsbury's and the Co-operative Pharmacy, maintain large warehousing facilities in Stoke, while Premier Foods manufactures some well-known sweet treats.
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Cast UK’s logistics opportunities
People approach Cast UK for a number of reasons, whether seeking more job fulfilment or simply relocating with the family, so it’s good to know that we always have the complete range of positions available nationwide. We are a growing force in logistics, procurement and supply chain recruitment, partly because these are the only sectors we deal with.
Our founder members and consultants all have backgrounds in logistics, procurement and supply chain, so we know what employers and candidates are looking for in their staff and careers respectively. Thanks to this focus, many employers come to us first to create a candidate shortlist because they know we’ll deliver the best people to them. Please see what’s available in your region and if you’ve seen something you’re interested in, do get in touch – whether it’s today or tomorrow, we might have the best position for you.
To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Contract Manager for your business or find you a job as a Contract Manager then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
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