Closing Date: 30th April 2024
Vidu are working on a super exciting assignment in the search for a UK Country Director on behalf of a rapidly growing, technology focused Freight Forwarding and Supply Chain Management Company.
If you have passion, vision, and the expertise to excel in this role, you will be joining an extremely forward thinking, agile business and lead a dynamic team to drive the company’s success in the competitive freight forwarding industry.
Circa £130,000 – £140,000 basic salary (dependent on experience) plus £10,000 per year car allowance, travel expenses, KPI related bonus structure, long term incentive bonus scheme, excellent emoluments package and much much more.
Overview:
As the UK Country Director, you will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and direction to ensure the company achieves its goals and objectives. You will oversee all aspects of the business operations, including financial performance, customer satisfaction, employee engagement, and growth initiatives.
This pivotal role requires a dynamic and visionary leader with a strong background in the freight forwarding industry, adept at navigating complexities, fostering growth, and leveraging digitalisation and mergers & acquisitions (M&A) to drive business success.
The key to your success will be working very closely with our clients well-established senior leadership team, empowering them to succeed in their respective areas of the business within the UK. You will also need to foster very strong relations with our clients other offices in China, USA and Dubai.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Strategic Leadership:
Develop and execute the company’s strategic plan in alignment with the overall business objectives and market dynamics.
As part of our clients strategic plan, merges and acquisitions form a large part of the UK plan and you will be expected to participate in the M&A strategy.
Identify new vertical business sector opportunities to drive growth and profitability.
Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement to enhance competitiveness and operational efficiency.
Ensure that you achieve a mindset that our clients data has to be right first time round.
Stay abreast of industry trends, market dynamics, and regulatory changes to anticipate challenges and opportunities.
Mergers and Acquisitions:
Lead M&A activities, including identifying potential targets, conducting due diligence, and negotiating deal terms.
Evaluate strategic fit, financial viability, and integration opportunities to drive growth and expand market share.
Collaborate with legal, finance, and other relevant stakeholders to execute transactions and achieve synergy objectives.
Financial Management:
Oversee the financial performance of the business, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
Implement and adhere to our clients explicit cost control measures and revenue optimisation strategies to maximise profitability for the business.
Ensure compliance with financial regulations and internal policies.
Business Development:
Identify and pursue new business opportunities, strategic partnerships, and market segments to expand our clients customer base and revenue streams.
Continue to develop and grow their Food and Drink and Media verticals.
Speak at leading industry events to raise our clients profile especially at relevant food events, where they want to continue to raise their brand awareness and market knowledge.
Cultivate strong relationships with key suppliers, and industry stakeholders to drive business growth and enhance their market presence.
Lead negotiations for major contracts, ensuring favourable terms and conditions for the company.
Digital Transformation:
Lead the digitalisation strategy of the company, leveraging technology to continue to streamline processes, enhance visibility, and improve decision-making.
Champion the adoption of digital tools and platforms for freight management, including cloud-based software, IoT devices, and data analytics solutions.
Collaborate with IT and operations teams to continue to integrate new digital systems and technologies seamlessly into existing workflows and infrastructure.
Foster a culture of innovation by encouraging experimentation and continuous improvement across the organisation.
Operational Excellence:
Provide leadership and guidance to operational teams to deliver high-quality services to our clients customers.
Optimise processes and workflows to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery both from their outsource operations in the Philippines and in the UK.
Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure performance and drive improvements.
Key Account and Customer Relationship Management:
Build and maintain strong relationships with key customers, partners, and stakeholders. Face to face meetings will be crucial, especially with the customers.
Understand our client customer needs and market trends to develop personalised solutions and value-added services.
Ensure high levels of customer satisfaction and retention through exceptional service delivery.
People Management:
Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing team of professionals.
Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment that promotes employee engagement and development.
Set clear expectations, provide feedback, and recognise achievements to drive performance.
Regulatory Compliance:
Stay abreast of industry regulations, compliance requirements, and best practices.
Ensure the company operates in accordance with relevant laws, regulations, and ethical standards.
Implement policies and procedures to mitigate risks and ensure regulatory compliance.
Proven experience in a senior leadership role within the freight forwarding industry, with a strong track record of business growth and profitability.
In-depth knowledge of freight forwarding operations, logistics, and supply chain management.
Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or a related field. MBA preferred.
Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with customers, partners, and stakeholders.
Sound understanding of financial management principles and practices.
Proficiency in strategic planning, decision-making, and execution.
