The Company

Yusen Logistics is working to become the world’s preferred supply chain logistics company. Our complete offer is designed to forge better connections between businesses, customers and communities - through innovative supply chain management, freight forwarding, warehousing and distribution services. As a company we’re dedicated to a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring everyone who works with us is committed, connected and creative in making us the world’s preferred choice.

We are looking for a European Operations Manager to be based at our site in Marston Gate (MK43 0YL) with a potential move to our Northampton site (NN4 5FB) by the end of May 2024/beginning of June 2024. This role will involve regular European travel, giving you the opportunity to visit and meet with the key customer stakeholders.

The successful postholder will effectively lead and manage Yusen Multi Market Warehouse (MMW) operations teams in delivering Yusen Logistics service commitment and customer expectations across Europe, through robust and sustainability processes aligned to quality, service, and cost control.

As a European Operations Manager, you will manage a team of 19 staff across Italy, Spain, Poland, and France, therefore we are looking for someone with strong leadership and change management skills with the flexibility to travel to Europe on a regular basis. The role will offer a salary of between 45k - 50k (depending on experience) and a £6000 per annum car allowance.

The Benefits
- Car allowance of £6,000 per annum
- Remote working, up to 3 days per week (Subject to Business Requirements)
- Bonus scheme
- Permanent Health insurance cover (40% of salary cover)
- Pension scheme - 6 % matched employer contribution
- Comprehensive private family health cover
- 25 days' holiday (excluding bank holidays) and 5 days Volunteer Leave per year
- Opportunity for Unpaid Leave
- Up to 10 days international remote working
- Critical Illness Cover
- MyStrength Wellbeing App
- Free online Fitness Platform i.e. Pilates & Yoga, Mindfulness/Meditation, 24/7 support, advice, diet and Nutrition
- Employee benefits i.e. Free eye test, up to 25% off gym membership, high street vouchers
- Free access to 24/7 online GP, mental health support service, Life Events Counselling, Care Concierge Service
- Tailored development and career opportunities


Main Responsibilities
1. Operations
a. Develop and manage the achievement and ongoing review of SLAs, identify improvements associated with quality, service and cost, and trend root cause analysis of issues for improvement.
b. Design, re-evaluate and test Yusen MMW Business Continuity Plan (BCPs), as well as other operational policies and procedures.
c. Ensure adherence to contractual obligations via KPI implementation and management.
d. Protect Yusen’s position by ensuring our partners deliver against agreed SLAs.
e. Ensure targeted KPIs are reported internally and externally and present data to demonstrate achievements of SLAs.

2. Team Leadership
a. Creating effective, cross-collaborative teams and developing strong succession and development plans.
b. Responsible for creating well-functioning and balanced teams through recruitment and training.
c. To ensure all team members receive the required level of training and development to succeed within their current and future roles, managing and monitoring levels of performance through the annual PDR process, objective setting and any other mechanisms as appropriate, providing appropriate levels of mentoring and support.
d. Ensure all team members are aware of key business outcomes, processes and expectations, delivering all company communications in a consistent and timely manner, providing feedback as appropriate.
e. Ensuring due attention is provided to employee welfare, identifying and signposting areas of support where necessary, ensuring functional arrangements are in place to protect the wellbeing of all employees
f. Ensure all company procedures are managed in a consistent and fair manner, including but not exclusively holidays, PDR, absence, performance, disciplinary. Supporting with business investigations, disciplinary and grievance processes across the organisation as necessary

3. Financial
a. Supporting procurement and Contract Manager with tenders & contract renewals.
b. Support procurement activity delivery, i.e. market tenders, benchmarking, and engagement with potential new suppliers.
c. Review and monitor achievement of Yusen budgetary performance and close control of costs and process adherence using Carlo TMS.
d. Compile a detailed monthly financial summary report to Yusen senior management. Identify and track all cost saving initiatives.
e. Ensuring the contract is operating efficiently with control of linehaul and overhead budgets.

4. Quality & Customer Service
a. Drive strong performance and issue resolution / corrective actions through root cause analysis working closely with the Yusen Quality Team as owner of department quality documentation.
b. Lead MMW team’s customer service performance, acting as an escalation point. Consolidate and manage service performance introducing innovation and efficient ways of working.
c. Support MMW and haulier audits and manage any improvement plans identified.
d. Drive standardisation in line with European Supply Chain (ESC) principles; create new and streamline/optimise existing processes, drive continuous improvement in specific solutions delivering benefit to the customer.
e. Represent Yusen in monthly business reviews with customer LOCs, partners, and suppliers, holding the accountability for MMW and linehaul performance, demonstrating insight and continuous improvement.


Key Requirements
• Leadership qualities, motivating a large, diverse team.
• Strong data analysis skills- ability to analyse data- Expertise in the use of dashboards and reporting tools.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to influence effectively across all levels.
• Pharmaceutical knowledge is desirable.
• Commercial awareness and cost management (desirable)
• Ability to prioritise workload, effectively managing multiple tasks.
• 4PL Logistics (desirable).

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those under consideration will be contacted.

Yusen Logistics is an equal opportunities employer, who encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible applicants regardless of their personal circumstances. We make our recruiting decisions solely based on the skillset and experience. Diversity allows us to create an inclusive environment, where our employees can strive and grow their potential.