Planning & Operations Manager (European Healthcare)

Northampton, England, United Kingdom

1/7/2025

The Company

Yusen Logistics is working to become the world’s preferred supply chain logistics company. Our complete offer is designed to forge better connections between businesses, customers and communities – through innovative supply chain management, freight forwarding, warehousing and distribution services. As a company we’re dedicated to a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring everyone who works with us is committed, connected and creative in making us the world’s preferred choice.

We are looking for a committed and motivated Planning and Operations Manager (European Healthcare Control Tower) to be based at our site at GP3 (NN4 5FB).

The successful candidate will lead and effectively manage the dedicated Healthcare operational teams within the Primary Division. Core objective will be delivering exceptional service to Yusen Logistics’ customers through optimized planning and exception management across client’s global supply chain, through robust and sustainable processes aligned to quality, service and cost control. The role includes application of best practices amongst the operations team following LEAN/Kaizen principles, and identifying and delivering tangible improvements in all aspects. You will work closely with our in-house Business Implementation/Continual Improvement department to understand system requirements and link to the operation teams’ needs for operational improvements and ensuring process efficiency.

The benefits:

• Salary of £55,000 - £60,000 (DOE) per annum
• £6,000 car allowance
• Bonus (up to 12%)
• Permanent Health Insurance (40% of salary cover)
• Pension scheme – 6% matched employer contribution
• Comprehensive private family health cover
• 25 days’ holiday (excluding bank holidays) and 5 days’ volunteer leave per year
• Opportunity for unpaid leave
• Up to 10 days’ international remote working
• Critical Illness Cover
• MyStrength Wellbeing App
• Free online fitness platform including Pilates, Yoga, mindfulness/meditation, and 24/7 support on diet and nutrition
• Free access to 24/7 online GP, mental health support service, Life Events Counselling, and - - Care Concierge Service
• Tailored development and career opportunities
• Karo Health
• Health Cash Plan
  
  
  

Key responsibilities:

• Operations Management:
• Line management responsibility for three Operations Managers and operational responsibility for all shipments aligned to the Healthcare client base (except ESC).
• Develop and manage the achievement of SLAs, identify improvements associated with quality, service and cost, and trend root cause analyses of issues for improvement. Protect
  
  
  

Yusen’s position by ensuring our partners deliver against agreed SLAs.

• Ensure adherence to contractual obligations via KPI implementation and management.
• Ensure targeted KPIs are reported internally and externally and present data to demonstrate achievement of SLAs.
• Apply and test Yusen BCPs, as well as other operational policies and procedures
• Financial & Legal Activities:
• Directly responsible for €35M Revenue department (primary distribution) per annum
• Support contract renewals and enter renegotiations through lane tenders.
• Support operational delivery of the BD / carrier procurement strategy, i.e. robust implementation and operational integration of new business via tenders
• Support Contract managers with Budget / Forecast production as well as investigating any trading variances.
• Review and monitor achievement of Yusen budgetary performance.
• Compile a detailed monthly service summary report to Yusen senior management. Identify and track all cost saving initiatives.
• Team Management
• Responsible for creating well-functioning and balanced teams through recruitment and training.
• Motivate operation team to identify cost and service improvement initiatives and deliver in conjunction with in/external resource.
• Identify and promote personal and professional development of all reports via internal or external sources.
• Develop, coach and engage staff via one-to-one management within the broader YL PDR programme
• Customer Service
• Key escalation point for Contract Management, carriers, customer base and their partners for operational concerns.
• Decision maker for operations. Effectively manage expectations, risks, issues and actions.
• Direct interface into client Logistics and Distribution team to Director level. Represent Operations in monthly business reviews with clients, partners and suppliers, holding the accountability for operational performance, demonstrating insight and continuous improvement. Define recommendations, educate customer on transport solutions and standards, presenting benchmark operations
• Strategy
• Promote Yusen corporate values and objectives and develop initiatives in line with the business unit’s and wider company’s strategic vision.
• Represent Yusen positively in a customer-facing role whilst actively seeking further business opportunities.
• Proactively understand market trends and competitor plans in order to safeguard Yusen business
• Key role in developing the operational structure, processes and technology to remain competitive, agile and underpin the ongoing growth strategy
  
  
  

Experience and Qualifications required:

• Degree qualification (or equivalent) would be desirable
• International CPC and a recognised Logistics / Supply chain Qualification (highly desirable)
• Experience in International Road freight forwarding for EU and or Global supply chains at middle-management level (road freight essential, including European road freight)
• Knowledge of European Cold-Chain market / Operations would be an advantage
• Strong people management, with ability to drive operational delivery.
• Good analytical focus, ability to review large data sets and provide insights
• Experience in Supplier management.
• Excellent Communication Skills
• Excellent Stakeholder Management skills (internal and external stakeholder, including the customers)
• Experience in managing operational costs and continual improvement (CI) deliverables
  
  
  

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those under consideration will be contacted.

Yusen Logistics is an equal opportunities employer, who encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible applicants regardless of their personal circumstances. We make our recruiting decisions solely based on the skillset and experience. Diversity allows us to create an inclusive environment, where our employees can strive and grow their potential.