Head of Distribution jobs
Getting products out of the warehouse and into the possession of clients is a complex enough task with a small operation, but in a large firm it’s a task with ever more intertwined elements that make its management a highly skilled task. One of the people in charge of overseeing this side of business will be the head of distribution.
Distribution will in many cases mean not only sending goods out to customers or internal departments based remotely, but also ordering them from other locations. Keeping abreast of the state of play within the department will the head of distribution’s main day-to-day task, but controlling the budget will also be key. There is always a less expensive way of doing something, but it usually means sacrificing quality or speed. The head of distribution’s success or failure will be directly linked to his or her ability to not only stay within the budget set from the general management, but also to constantly seek out efficiencies in the distribution network.
This will also mean that forecasting skills will be valued, as distribution is something that is affected by seasons, certain times and days of the week and special events. The head of distribution who can find efficiencies 24/7 will be highly valued.
The skills required
Great negotiating and communication skills will set the head of distribution off on the best footing. Savings can be made by careful consideration of the facts surrounding any distribution activity, but if customers do not like the results, any financial savings will be short-term in nature.
People management skills are essential, too, as it is those working below the head of distribution who will have to put into action the new ways of doing things that should bring the efficiencies. In some companies, the distribution head will be given a considerable amount of freedom to operate and make changes as he or she sees fit, and they will be judged on their results, so a responsible personality will be even more essential.
Good experience in management of large budgets and an analytical approach to problem solving will be key to the head of distribution’s success.
Head of Distribution Jobs in Leicestershire
Located in the East Midlands, Leicestershire shares borders with a number of counties, including Derbyshire, Warwickshire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire.
Some of the main settlements in Leicestershire include Loughborough, Mowbray and Hinckley. There's also Leicester, which is situated right in the middle of the county and serves as the county town. All of these places offer a variety of Head of Distribution opportunities.
Farming, textile manufacturing and food manufacture have traditionally played an important part in Leicestershire's economy. What's more, various cheeses and pork pies are said to have originated in the area.
As far back as the 14th century, the region has been a centre of industry, with early specialties including bellfounding, sand casting and stained glass. This continued throughout the 19th century, with projects including Great Paul, the largest bell in Britain, which once hung in St Paul's cathedral.
The engineering past of Leicestershire continues to thrive today. Noble Automotive, known for its high-performance sports cars, has its headquarters in Leicester. Meanwhile, Triumph Motorcycles is based in Hinckley.
Just some of the many companies based in Leicestershire include Pukka Pies, Everards, Stead & Simpson, Shoe Zone, AstraZeneca and 3M. There's also the Masterfoods factory, which produces a variety of pet foods.
Meanwhile, the East Midlands Airport is located in Leicestershire, so a number of freight and distribution companies have facilities in the area, including UPS, DHL and TNT.
Popular locations
Cast UK’s logistics opportunities
With jobs in every county and every city of the UK, Cast UK are well placed to find you work in logistics, procurement or supply chain wherever you are in the country, now or in the future. If you’re moving house, check out the positions available in your new area; and if you’re simply looking for a career advancement, we’ve always got jobs and clients who are looking for your skills.
Our founder members and consultants are all from the backgrounds we deal exclusively with, and have great knowledge of what employers and candidates are looking for. Employers often ask us to look for candidates because they are confident that we’ll help them find the most appropriate people.
We’d love to hear from you if you’re looking for a job in logistics. Once we have your details, we’ll be able to start matching you with positions as soon as they arise.
To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Head of Distribution for your business or find you a job as a Head of Distribution then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
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