At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operational and commercial performance across multiple sites in logistics.
- Company: Great Bear, part of the Culina Group, values a thriving culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, company car, bonuses, private medical cover, and wellness support.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to employee development and recognition.
- Why this job: Drive impactful change in a dynamic environment with a focus on safety and quality.
- Qualifications: Extensive leadership experience in logistics and strong financial acumen required.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Great Bear (Part of the Culina Group) provides distribution services to FMCG clients. Customer centric service focus is delivered through a site-level empowered culture. At Culina we have a winning culture, we believe that our culture is one of the reasons our company continues to thrive… A place where you're valued, challenged, and inspired!
We are looking for 3 commercially focused Business Directors to lead operational and commercial performance across a multi-site division. This senior leadership role will be responsible for delivering safe, high-quality and commercially sustainable operations, while ensuring activity is aligned to wider Group strategy.
As Business Director, you will take ownership of full P&L delivery, driving profitability through cost optimisation, productivity improvement and effective asset utilisation across warehouse, fleet and labour. You will act as an executive sponsor for key customers, developing strong strategic partnerships that support retention, growth and service excellence.
You will provide visible, values-led leadership across geographically dispersed teams, developing General Managers and senior site leadership teams while building robust succession and talent pipelines. A key part of the role will be embedding a culture where safety, quality, compliance and continuous improvement are integral to everyday operations.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Translating Group strategy into practical operational delivery plans.
- Holding accountability for multi-site productivity, cost and service performance.
- Leading performance improvement initiatives.
- Managing budgets and capital investment.
- Acting as a senior escalation point for major operational incidents or service risks.
Qualifications:
- Extensive operational leadership experience within UK logistics, warehousing, transport or a comparable large-scale operational environment.
- Proven experience managing multi-site or large-scale operations, with accountability for productivity, cost, service and compliance performance.
- Strong financial and commercial acumen, including budget ownership, cost control and full P&L responsibility.
- Experience developing customer relationships at a senior level, with the ability to drive retention, growth and service excellence.
- Confident leadership capability, with experience leading large, geographically dispersed teams and developing senior operational leaders.
- Strong understanding of health and safety, transport compliance, operational governance and continuous improvement.
- Ability to translate business strategy into clear operational plans and deliver performance improvement across complex operations.
- A values-led leadership style, with the ability to support employee engagement, succession planning and long-term capability development.
As part of our drive to make Great Bear a great place to work, we are proud to be an inclusive and diverse organisation where we are committed to employee development and recognising success for hard working performers. Our dedicated learning and development programmes are open to every employee to give you the opportunity to shape your own future within logistics and continue to work in an environment where team culture thrives.
Our People are the driving force behind our success, which is why we offer a wide range of benefits which include:
- Annual Leave – Competitive holiday entitlement of 25 days holiday plus the bank holidays.
- Company car or car allowance.
- Company Bonus – We do our best work to succeed together. When we achieve our goals you'll be rewarded through our bonus scheme.
- Private Medical Cover – This gives you peace of mind, you have choice, flexibility and speed of access to the most clinically appropriate care via Bupa.
- Pension scheme – we want colleagues to enjoy a comfortable retirement so we offer a great contribution of 5% employee and 8% employer.
- Life Assurance - 4x your annual salary.
- Wellness – Via our Employee Assistance Programme we offer immediate access to a confidential telephone counselling and legal information service that operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- Eye Care Vouchers – We can provide you with substantial savings with free eye tests and discounts on prescription glasses.
- Reward & Recognition – We recognise that employees have gone the extra mile via Employee of the month and year, special recognition and long service awards.
- Everyday discounts - via our benefit platform you will have access to over 50 retailer discounts for everyday savings!
If you meet the requirements for the above role and are looking for your next career opportunity please apply now and become a part of our #WinningTeam!
Business Director **Internal Only** employer: Culina Group
Culina Logistics is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at our Sherwood site where teamwork and efficiency are paramount. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide comprehensive training and development opportunities, ensuring that our night-shift Control Room Operators thrive in their roles while enjoying a supportive culture that prioritises health and safety. Join us to be part of a dedicated team that values your contributions and fosters a rewarding career in the logistics sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Director **Internal Only**
✨Get Involved in Industry Events
Logistics and supply chain are all about networking, so hit up those trade shows and local meetups. Places like the UK's Logistics and Supply Chain conference can be goldmines for connecting with potential employers like Culina Group and learning about the latest trends in the industry.
✨Leverage Online Communities
Join forums and LinkedIn groups specifically for logistics professionals. Share your insights and ask questions to get noticed. Being active in these spaces can help you establish credibility and might just lead to an opportunity at Culina Group!
✨Showcase Your Skills with a Portfolio
Even if it’s a full-time gig, having a portfolio can really set you apart. Include case studies or projects that demonstrate your understanding of supply chain management, logistics software, or solving operational challenges. You’d be surprised at how much this can impress hiring managers.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don't forget the power of applying directly through our website! A lot of companies like Culina Group keep job postings exclusive to their sites. This way, you can easily keep track of your applications and ensure your profile is in front of the right people.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Director **Internal Only**
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Supply Chain Savvy:In your CV and cover letter, make sure to highlight your understanding of logistics and supply chain management principles. Mention any relevant courses you've taken or tools you've used, like inventory management software or data analysis platforms, to showcase your skills and keep up with best practices in the industry.
Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your previous work experience, remember to use numbers wherever possible. Did you improve delivery times by a specific percentage? Did you help reduce costs? These kinds of quantified achievements not only catch the eye but also demonstrate your capability in the logistics sector.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Culina Group:This is your chance to really connect with the team at Culina Group. In your cover letter, express why you're passionate about supply chain logistics and how your goals align with the company’s mission. A little personalisation goes a long way!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you've got any certifications related to logistics or supply chain management—like APICS or Six Sigma—make sure you flaunt them! These show that you're committed to your professional development and can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Culina Group
✨Know Your Logistics Tools
Make sure you're familiar with key logistics software and tools like SAP or Oracle ERP. These are often used in the industry, and being able to demonstrate your knowledge or experience with them can really set you apart during your interview with Culina Group.
✨Perfect Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect to tackle scenarios that showcase your problem-solving skills. Think about past experiences where you've had to optimise supply chains or handle logistics challenges. Have a few examples ready to discuss how you made decisions that led to improvements.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
Supply chain roles heavily rely on teamwork and communication. Be prepared to discuss how you've collaborated with others in previous roles. Maybe share a time when you coordinated with a team to resolve a logistical hiccup. This can show Culina Group that you're a team player!
✨Understand the Big Picture
Be ready to talk about the broader logistics and supply chain trends. Having insights into current challenges in the industry, like sustainability or lead times, can impress the interviewers at Culina Group. Show them you’re not just focused on the day-to-day but also have a strategic mindset!
