At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead logistics operations, ensuring timely delivery and high-quality service for the community.
- Company: Join Southend on Sea City Council, a dynamic local authority making a difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, flexible working, and excellent training opportunities.
- Other info: Office-based role with a supportive management team and career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in your community while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in logistics and strong people management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Your New Organisation
Southend on Sea City Council is a Unitary local authority, providing vital services to meet the needs of the local community. We employ around 1,800 staff who are working alongside our partners and local communities to deliver the city vision and make lives better for the people of Southend. Working for Southend on Sea City Council offers a challenging and rewarding career in local government within a collaborative and innovative environment, with the benefit of flexible working practices to support a positive work life balance.
Your new role
Southend-on-Sea City Council is looking for an experienced and proactive Logistics Lead to join our Equipment Service team on a full-time, permanent basis. This is a key operational leadership role responsible for overseeing the day-to-day logistics function, ensuring the timely, safe and customer-focused delivery, collection and exchange of essential equipment across the city.
Working closely with the Equipment Service Team Manager and other service leads, you will play a central role in coordinating operations, managing operational challenges and driving continuous improvement to ensure residents receive a high-quality and responsive service. You will provide day-to-day leadership and supervision to both the Logistics Team and the Administration Team, managing rotas, leave and cover arrangements, conducting 1:1 meetings and performance reviews, and supporting staff development while addressing any conduct or capability matters appropriately.
You will also ensure compliance with all relevant health and safety requirements and promote safe working practices across the service. You will lead and coordinate all logistics functions, supervising a dedicated team of drivers, technicians and logistics staff whilst ensuring effective communication and collaboration with administrative and customer-facing colleagues.
In this role, you will take ownership of the daily logistics operation, including overseeing deliveries, collections, exchanges and urgent same-day requests. You will lead on route planning and optimisation, ensuring workloads are efficiently scheduled to meet service standards and response times. You will also play a key role in service improvement, using performance data and operational insight to identify trends, improve efficiency and implement effective solutions.
Alongside this, you will lead on the investigation and resolution of logistics-related complaints and service issues, ensuring a customer-focused approach and a consistently high standard of service delivery. This role offers an excellent opportunity to take ownership of the day-to-day logistics function while working as part of a supportive management team.
What you’ll need to succeed
To be successful in this role, you will bring proven experience within a logistics, transport or operational environment, including leading and supervising multidisciplinary teams. You will have experience managing staff across logistics, delivery, technical, warehouse and administrative functions, with a strong understanding of end-to-end operational processes from delivery and collection through to cleaning, recycling and customer support activities.
You will be confident in coordinating logistics or transport services, with hands-on experience of route planning, scheduling resources, managing workloads and prioritising urgent requests. You will have strong people management skills, with experience of motivating teams, managing performance, conducting supervision and supporting staff development.
Your ability to use performance information to monitor service delivery, identify trends and drive continuous improvement will be key to your success. You will also demonstrate strong problem-solving skills, using a logical, pragmatic and evidence-based approach to resolve operational challenges and improve service outcomes.
A sound understanding of relevant UK legislation and best practice relating to logistics, equipment handling and health and safety is essential, including the Health and Safety at Work Act, Manual Handling Regulations and LOLER requirements where applicable. Strong communication, organisational and stakeholder management skills are equally important, as the role requires close working with managers, operational teams, administration staff and external partners to ensure an efficient and responsive service.
Your application will not be considered if you do not hold GCSEs in English and Maths (Level 4 or above), and ideally a relevant business, supply chain, or logistics qualification to support your professional expertise.
What you’ll get in return
When joining the council, you can enjoy a range of benefits including: 25 days annual leave, flexible working and excellent training and development opportunities. They are committed to ensuring that you are supported in this varied and challenging role with the appropriate level of training.
A full list of benefits provided by Southend Council can be viewed on the "Why Work For Us?" tab.
Application and checks
All applicants for this role will require an enhanced DBS check.
Equality and diversity
The Council is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications, regardless of race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, age or religion or belief.
R2R103943 - 132071 - Logistic Lead in Southend-on-Sea employer: South End City Council
Southend on Sea City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a rewarding career in local government within a collaborative and innovative environment. With a commitment to employee development, flexible working practices, and a diverse range of career opportunities, staff can thrive while making a meaningful impact in the community. The Council's investment in regeneration projects and focus on high-quality service delivery ensures that employees are part of a dynamic team dedicated to improving lives in Southend.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land R2R103943 - 132071 - Logistic Lead in Southend-on-Sea
✨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 South End City Council 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 South End City Council!
✨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 South End City Council 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 R2R103943 - 132071 - Logistic Lead in Southend-on-Sea
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 South End City Council:This is your chance to really connect with the team at South End City Council. 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 South End City Council
✨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 South End City Council.
✨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 South End City Council 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 South End City Council. Show them you’re not just focused on the day-to-day but also have a strategic mindset!
