WHAT DOES A DIRECTOR OF LOGISTICS DO?
Published: Nov 29, 2024 - The Director of Logistics develops strategic plans for logistics operations across current and future greenhouse sites while driving continuous improvement through KPI development. Oversees day-to-day supply chain operations, inventory management, and contract negotiations with suppliers and logistics partners. Manages risk mitigation, cost drivers, and market research to ensure optimal logistics solutions and secure supply continuity.
A Review of Professional Skills and Functions for Director of Logistics
1. Director of Logistics Duties
- Logistics Oversight: Oversees Logistics operations including but not limited to carrier management and problem resolution/escalation.
- Carrier Management: Execution, analysis, and awarding of carrier RFP’s and bids.
- Data Analysis and Reporting: Work with team to maintain and create reporting to monitor and analyze data (both internal and market) to illuminate corrective actions needed to positively impact cost and service.
- System Optimization: Optimize the use of system tools to gain insights that support strategic decisions (SAP, TMS, Tableau, Intelli-trans).
- Vendor Communication: Establish and maintain Vendor communications to review performance, address problems, and identify cost reduction and efficiency improvement opportunities.
- TMS Management: Manage utilization and effectiveness of Transportation Management System (TMS) to ensure facility and customer needs are met.
- Executive Reporting: Present results, key initiatives, or business cases to the Executive team.
- Business Alignment: Maintain alignment with business unit leadership regarding priorities, initiatives, and KPI’s.
- Cross-Functional Project Management: Manage and/or participate in projects as needed that involves effective communication and interaction across various functions of the business, including Plant Operations, Supply Chain, Sales, Finance, and executive management.
- Team Leadership: Manage and develop a team of freight specialists.
- Direct Reports Management: Manage two direct reports (one who sits domestically and internationally).
- Cost Strategy Implementation: Craft and implement cost-saving strategies.
- Process Formalization: Create and formalize processes and procedures.
- 3PL Management: Manage relationships with 3PL's.
- Global Standardization Partnership: Partner with APAC operational leaders to develop and support global standardization and priorities.
- Service Provision: Provide consistent and responsive service for Site Operations (servers), Facilities Operations, Edge Network Support (ENS), Global Data Center Cabling (GDCC), and additional data center partners.
- Project Planning and Tracking: Establish Project Planning, implementation plans, tracking, and performance.
2. Director of Logistics and Warehousing Details
- Strategic Planning: Build a strategic plan for logistics operations for all current and future greenhouse sites.
- KPI Development: Develop logistics and warehouse KPIs for continuous improvement and cost reduction.
- Team Management: Position, recruit, evaluate, hire, and promote logistics and warehouse management team.
- Operations Management: Manage the day-to-day operations relating to the handling of inbound and outbound supply chain.
- Inventory Management: Manage raw material inventory at warehouses to service the greenhouse and limit disruption to operations.
- Contract Negotiation: Conduct negotiations for assets, 3PL, and partnerships.
- Carrier Management: Manage the sourcing and onboarding of new logistics carriers and partners.
- Supplier Relationship Management: Manage the long-term, strategic carrier supplier relationships.
- Cost Management: Identify and manage logistics cost drivers while improving service.
- Market Research: Conduct market research and analysis for benchmarking current logistics and warehousing costs and projecting trends.
- Risk Management: Identify supply chain risks and develop contingency plans to mitigate potential issues.
- Supply Chain Solutions: Recommend alternative supply chain solutions to ensure secure, uninterrupted supply.
- System Implementation: Establish TMS, WMS, and Inventory management system for data-driven decision-making.
- Supply Chain Integration: Integrate acquired supply chains seamlessly with standardization and optimization principles.
3. Director of Logistics and Distribution Responsibilities
- Partner Sourcing: Source new and leverage existing logistics and distribution partners to ensure market competitive rates and services.
- KPI Management: Ensure key business KPIs are maintained.
- Best Practices Implementation: Develop regional implementation of distribution best practices such as systems integration and optimization, inventory control, and SKU optimization.
- SOP Management: Manage, implement, and maintain SOPs, data, and analytical models for the region.
- Leadership Support: Provide leadership support to other company business functions in the development of client solutions and transportation pricing requests that promote profitable revenue growth.
- Process Improvement: Lead, evaluate, and continuously improve the region’s logistics and distribution, packaging, and compliance processes to streamline operations.
- Efficiency Optimization: Eliminate non-value-added activities.
- Systems Integration: Drive logistics and distribution systems solutions with IT to provide and maintain best-in-class logistics solutions that provide accurate and timely logistics information.
- Team Development: Lead, coach, and mentor direct/indirect reports to succeed and grow while ensuring optimal associate engagement and feedback are provided.
- Integrity Leadership: Lead logistics, distribution, packaging, and compliance functions by example and with integrity.
4. Director of Logistics and Distribution Accountabilities
- Strategy Development: Develop logistics and distribution strategies/processes to support the goals of the region and enable product flow emphasizing quality service and cost optimization.
- Compliance Leadership: Develop and lead key Customs and Compliance programs including First Sale, Foreign Trade Zone administration, CTPAT compliance.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all regulatory and compliance measures are met within regional/legal guidelines.
- SLA Execution and Financial Planning: Execute SLAs, develop annual operating forecasts, budgeting, and initiative planning, and lead systems enhancements between WMS and SAP.
- Freight Management: Manage and lead freight activities including operational execution, rate and contract negotiation, budget/forecasting, and technology integration with key providers.
- Budget Management: Create and achieve logistics & distribution budget for regional operations to meet organizational forecasts, targets, and established benchmark KPIs (CPU and On-time).
- Strategic Visioning: Lead the deployment of a forward-thinking strategic vision on optimizing logistics and distribution efficiencies regionally.
- Operational Excellence: Drive and sustain operational excellence and best practices across the Shared Services network.
- Cost Efficiency: Ensure budgeted logistics and distribution costs and lead times are achieved within the region.
- Cross-functional Collaboration: Continually collaborate cross-functionally to evaluate how goods are packed, shipped, and distributed to ensure efficient handling alternatives while supporting marketing brand initiatives.
- Technology Implementation: Ensure best-in-class WMS technology in the distribution network infrastructure suitable to the scope and size of the business along with disciplines that underlie a supply chain operation.
5. Director of Logistics Centers Functions
- Branch Management: Management and leadership of corporate-owned branch offices to include P&L responsibility, profitable revenue growth, service, employee development, staffing, and net income.
- Business Plan Development: Develop and execute a business plan for the success of the individual offices.
- Startup Leadership: Leadership and point of contact for the development and start-up operations for any new corporate-owned operations to include determining an initial pro-forma budget, personnel requirements, facility, cartage operation, capital equipment, staff hiring/training, timelines, and execution.
- Team Development: Team development within the corporate-owned branches focused on local customers, network business, and service execution.
- Corporate Leadership: Corporate branches need to take a leadership role and become “Best of Class” within the Team system.
- Cultural Adaptation and Training: Learn and understand the Team’s culture, operational systems (Team NAV), and policies and procedures (SAC) in order to transform that knowledge to coach, direct, and mentor the staff within the corporate-owned branches.
- Revenue Growth: Drive revenue growth with a focus on new business development both domestic and international freight forwarding.
- Organizational Flexibility: Flexibility in terms of special projects, task force requirements, committee participation, and executive leadership involvement.