This role in some organisations is called Head of Department, Director of Fleet Operations or General Manager, Supply and Logistics (especially in big and multidimensional organisations).
The Head of operations oversees the day-to-day activities of the logistics company, usually at the behest of the Chief Executive or Managing Director. The right candidate must excel at delegating tasks and should demonstrate exceptional communication skills.
SKILLS SET REQUIREMENT
– Must be able to effectively operate in a fast-moving international business environment, fully comprehending how global risk plays out for their business; and being adept at managing the long lead times inherent in the global marketplace. Even if your organisation isn’t playing globally now, it will someday.
– Ability to operate in a dynamic environment, where they are constantly driving transformational initiatives which often require delivering on time and on budget, while generating superior results.
Dealing with cross-functional and cross-enterprise issues which often involve integrating a company’s operations side with its demand side, and embracing demand and supply integration concepts, such as sales and operations planning
– Ability to combine expertise in material flow management with outstanding knowledge of information and financial flow. The candidate must be ardent at designing metrics framework that drives the right behaviour, and processes that deliver product availability at the lowest possible cost and working capital levels.
– More often than not, the Head of Operations will possess a Master in Business Administration and membership of a recognised and relevant professional association.
POTENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND TASKS:
– Interface cross-functionally at all levels within the divisions of the company, including communication with offshore/subsidiary management, external resources and concerns, such as freight forwarders, third party providers and governmental agencies
– Provide daily, weekly, monthly, annual and routine reports to the Chairman regarding divisional fleet operations and business performance
– Collaborate with other managers and staff members in order to formulate and implement policies, procedures, goals, and objectives. Meet with other department heads about sales, purchasing, production and record control and ensure that the warehouse activities remain coordinated and running smoothly.
– Monitor operations to ensure that staff members comply with administrative policies and procedures, safety rules, union contracts, and government regulations.
– Create/update fleet policy and procedures, to include vehicle assignment, personal use, replacement policy, accident reporting process, and other procedures.
– Determine what fleet processes should be outsourced, to which suppliers they should be awarded, and to act as primary contact with all suppliers; Track supplier performance and train subordinates in managing suppliers’ relation
– Ensure proper compliance and adherence to all appropriate health and safety regulations and cleanliness requirements. Promote safe work activities by conducting safety audits, attending company safety meetings, and meeting with individual staff members.
– Develop criteria, application instructions, procedural manuals, and contracts in line with federal and state regulatory public transportation laws.
– Monitor spending to ensure that expenses are consistent with approved group and divisional budgets.
– Direct and coordinate, through subordinates or divisional heads, activities of operations department in order to obtain and justify use of equipment, facilities, and human resources.
– Conduct investigations in cooperation with relevant agencies and parties to determine causes of transportation accidents and to improve safety procedures.
– Analyze expenditures and other financial information in order to develop plans, policies, and budgets for increasing profits and improving services.
– Negotiate and authorize contracts with equipment and materials suppliers, and monitor contract fulfillment.
– Recommend or authorize capital expenditures for acquisition of new equipment or property in order to increase efficiency and services of divisions.
– Prepare management recommendations, such as proposed fee and tariff increases or schedule changes.
– Approve and appraise employee training sessions on subjects such as hazardous material handling, employee orientation, quality improvement and computer use.
– Participate in union contract negotiations and settlements of grievances.
– Direct procurement processes, including equipment research and testing, vendor contracts, and requisitions approval
