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 Stourbridge
If you love the Birmingham conurbation and you’re travelling west, you’d better stop when you see signs for Stourbridge, because after the town you’ll be hit quite abruptly by the spread of green Shropshire countryside as far as the eye can see. The Bull ring, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Jasper Carrott will be distant memories.
If you stick around, though, you’ll be treated to a pleasant enough town, part of Birmingham’s commuter belt, with Wolverhampton to the north, Dudley to the north east and the centre of Birmingham 10 miles (16 km) to the east. Kidderminster is the next distinct town, 7 miles (12 km) south west. Stourbridge has a distinct suburban feel about it that somewhat hides the fact that it does have quite a strong industrial past, with a particular emphasis on glassmaking, which has all but shattered to nothing, albeit recently. The town still has a Festival of Glass every two years. Stourbridge does have its own shopping area, but it’s largely for everyday essentials, with a few bars and restaurants dotted around. Serious shoppers are still more likely to head into Birmingham.
Although not particularly industrialised, there are a few trading estates around the outskirts, and the town is well enough connected to the South West (via the M5 and rail links) and the rest of Birmingham for it not to matter. If you’re looking for Logistics Contract Manager work and you live in Stourbridge, there are occasional related jobs in the town, but looking north and east will probably produce better results.
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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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