Freight Manager

Freight Manager – CMS Distribution

Job Purpose Summary

To lead and manage end‑to‑end transport and logistics operations across the UK and all other CMS territories, including carrier selection, contract negotiation, freight tenders, and cost control. Act as the key interface between CMS (including subsiduries), freight service providers, customers and vendors, to ensure efficient, compliant, and cost‑effective delivery solutions. Collaborate cross‑functionally to drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance DIFOT performance, customer satisfaction, international trade compliance, and overall logistics cost effectiveness.

Role Responsibilities

• Plan, schedule and evaluate ‘glocal’ logistics operations, coordinating with internal teams, customers, vendors, 3PLs and carriers to align activities with strategic goals and ensure timely, complete deliveries.
• Source, evaluate and manage transport providers (bulk, pallets, parcels) across the UK and all CMS territories, using market knowledge to negotiate competitive terms, secure service reliability and support growth.
• Lead freight tenders using a structured approach to secure best‑value contracts that meet operational and financial requirements.
• Own air and sea freight strategy, leveraging deep knowledge of trade lanes, rates and Incoterms to ensure compliant, cost‑effective international movements.
• Ensure compliance with import/export regulations and Dangerous Goods requirements, working closely with logistics partners and customs authorities to avoid delays and maintain safety standards.
• Establish and implement logistics best practices, policies and planning principles to drive continuous improvement and efficiency.
• Own the CMS freight accrual process, forecasting and reconciling logistics costs to support financial reporting and budget integrity.
• Analyse freight invoices and recover overcharges, ensuring accuracy across fixed and spot‑rate agreements.
• Monitor and report on logistics KPIs such as DIFOT and cost‑per‑shipment, generating actionable insights to support stakeholder decisions and budget goals.
• Benchmark provider performance and analyse logistics trends to identify risks, drive improvements and optimise cost and service levels.
• Collaborate with logistics partners to enhance data visibility, support EDI integration and streamline information flow.
• Support the onboarding of new vendors and customers, aligning logistics requirements to ensure seamless integration and operational readiness.
• Proactively identify and resolve logistics challenges, delivering solutions that meet service standards and budget targets.
• Champion continuous improvement and cost‑saving initiatives, targeting inefficiencies across inbound and outbound flows.
• Promote and uphold company values (POPE) in all logistics activities, fostering a high‑performance, values‑driven culture.

Health and Safety

• Comply with the Health, Safety and Environmental Policies.
• Ensure safety is paramount at all times to all visitors entering the warehouse.
• Maintain confidentiality on all matters relating to the company, people and operation.

Skills

• Strong planning and project management skills with the ability to handle multiple projects through to completion and manage competing priorities.
• Skilled in leveraging supply chain efficiencies through effective planning.
• Previous experience of inbound and outbound logistics, including management of 3PL freight carrier service providers.
• Knowledge of import and export legislative requirements.
• Strong IT systems knowledge, including Microsoft Office and SAP systems.
• Experience designing and implementing Standard Operating Procedures.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to analyse and manipulate technical and complex data and provide meaningful information.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills (fluency in English required), with the ability to form, develop and maintain positive relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen and awareness with excellent negotiation skills and a full understanding of the impact of failure in terms of business cost and customer order fulfilment.

Attributes

• Highly motivated and proactive, demonstrating a positive, can‑do attitude.
• Openly share information and communicate proactively across all levels.
• Resilient under pressure, capable of handling competing demands with composure, while effectively guiding the planning team through challenges.
• Challenge the status quo thoughtfully, aiming for solutions that benefit all parties.
• Leverage strong impact and influencing skills to drive positive outcomes across the organisation and with external partners, clients and authorities.
• Identify and address obstacles, embracing and championing change to foster continuous improvement.
• Skilled in managing and resolving conflicts constructively, ensuring positive outcomes and minimising risks to the business.

Key Traits

CMS believes that a diverse and inclusive workforce enriches and is integral to the success of our company. We value diverse opinions and perspectives, and therefore welcome candidates from all backgrounds including but not limited to ethnicity, gender, age, nationality, culture, religious beliefs, sexual orientation and neuro‑diversity.

Seniority Level

• Mid‑Senior level

Employment Type

• Full‑time

Job Function

• Management and Manufacturing

Industries

• IT Services and IT Consulting