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- Tasks: Lead and optimise transport and logistics operations in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join DS Smith, a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, pension scheme, life assurance, and shopping discounts.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to sustainability and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a hands-on leadership role focused on safety and efficiency.
- Qualifications: Experience in logistics management and strong people leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 ÂŁ per year.
We are now seeking an experienced Transport & Logistics Manager to join our Birmingham operation and play a key role in managing our despatch, transport and yard activities. This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for ensuring safe, efficient, and cost‑effective transport and despatch operations while developing and leading a high‑performing team. Reporting into the General Manager, you will be accountable for developing and implementing robust despatch and transport processes, ensuring service excellence, cost control, and full compliance with Health & Safety standards. You’ll work closely with Production and Customer Service Team to ensure operational plans align with wider business objectives.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage inbound/outbound transport and third‑party hauliers
- Optimise load building, utilisation, back‑loads and routing
- Deliver OTIF targets and control transport costs
- Manage yard operations, FLTs, loading bays and stock control
- Lead a strong Health & Safety culture
- Ensure compliance with all policies, procedures and legislation
- Complete audits, observations, Take 5 and incident investigations
- Maintain excellent housekeeping across warehouse, despatch and yard
- Lead, coach and develop transport and despatch teams
- Manage rotas, cover, performance, attendance and disciplinary processes
- Deliver appraisals, feedback and ensure training is up to date
- Manage stock control, rotation, pallets and SPOCS processes
- Align despatch with production plans
- Drive continuous improvement and system efficiencies
- Control transport costs and eliminate waste
- Deliver internal and external OTIF performance
About You:
We’re looking for a confident, proactive and hands‑on logistics professional with a proven track record of leading transport and despatch operations within a fast‑paced manufacturing or FMCG environment. Comfortable balancing operational delivery with people leadership, you’ll bring a strong safety‑first mindset, commercial awareness and the ability to build effective relationships across the business. You’ll be driven by continuous improvement and values‑led leadership, aligned with DS Smith’s commitment to safety, sustainability and performance.
Minimum Requirements:
- Proven experience in transport, despatch or logistics management within manufacturing or FMCG
- Strong people leadership skills with hands‑on operational capability
- A solid understanding of Health & Safety, risk management and compliance
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- A continuous improvement mindset aligned with DS Smith’s values
Benefits:
- 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
- Pension scheme
- Life assurance
- Income protection
- Employee assistance program
- Cycle to work scheme
- Shopping discounts
- Subsidised staff canteen
- On site parking
Location: Birmingham (Smethwick)
Working Pattern: On Site – Monday to Friday day shift pattern
About us:
We are DS Smith, together with International Paper, we are a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions and other fibre-based products. We believe a better, more sustainable tomorrow is possible with the right people, who challenge and support one another to enact positive change. We employ more than 65,000 colleagues in North America and Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), who are experts in innovation, manufacturing, design, sales, sustainability, supply chain, and much more. Together with our customers, we make the world safer and more productive, one sustainable packaging solution at a time. Become part of a world-leading organisation and do your best work with us!
Fair recruitment at DS Smith:
To fulfil our purpose of redefining packaging for a changing world, we aim to build a diverse, motivated, and engaged workforce. Our goal is to create a culture of inclusion where everyone is treated fairly, differences are valued, and everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed. Our people come from diverse backgrounds, bring different perspectives, ideas, and experiences to generate unique solutions focused on present and future sustainability challenges. We welcome all candidates to apply, even those not meeting all criteria.
Transport and Logistics Manager in Birmingham employer: DS Smith
Contact Detail:
DS Smith Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Transport and Logistics Manager in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the transport and logistics sector. Attend industry events or join relevant online groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values, especially around safety and sustainability, so you can show how you align with their mission. We want to see that you're not just a fit for the role, but for the team too!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've led teams and improved processes in your previous roles. We love hearing about your hands-on approach and how you’ve driven continuous improvement.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at DS Smith. Let’s make a sustainable impact together!
We think you need these skills to ace Transport and Logistics Manager in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Transport and Logistics Manager. Highlight your experience in managing transport and despatch operations, and don’t forget to mention any relevant achievements that showcase your leadership skills.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Mention your hands-on approach and how your values align with DS Smith’s commitment to safety and sustainability.
Showcase Your People Skills: Since this role involves leading a team, make sure to highlight your people management experience. Share examples of how you've developed teams and improved performance in previous roles to demonstrate your leadership capabilities.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, so don’t hesitate to take that step!
How to prepare for a job interview at DS Smith
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of transport and logistics management, especially within manufacturing or FMCG. Be ready to discuss specific processes you've implemented in the past, like optimising load building or managing third-party hauliers.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your people leadership abilities. Think about times when you’ve coached a team, managed performance issues, or delivered training. This role is all about leading a high-performing team, so make sure you can demonstrate your hands-on approach.
✨Safety First Mindset
Since health and safety compliance is crucial, be prepared to discuss how you've fostered a strong safety culture in previous roles. Share any experiences with audits or incident investigations to show you take this seriously.
✨Align with Company Values
Research DS Smith’s commitment to sustainability and performance. Be ready to talk about how your continuous improvement mindset aligns with their values. Showing that you understand and share their vision will set you apart from other candidates.