Distribution Manager - Chelmsford Mail Centre

Distribution Manager - Chelmsford Mail Centre

Salary starting of £46,597, 10% bonus potential, 25 days annual leave, and a defined contribution pension scheme

Permanent Full time

Chelmsford Mail Centre Distribution, CM2 5AA

We have a very exciting opportunity for someone to join us as the Distribution Manager, as part of our National Distribution function, at our Chelmsford Mail Centre and help us to continue to improve and deliver the best service.

About Us

We believe great things are possible and we make them happen. Royal Mail impacts people and businesses in more than 71 million ways, daily. The only company that delivers to every address in the UK, we bring people closer together, help independent businesses grow and make large corporations work better, connecting companies and customers worldwide. We’re driven to take people further; to empower our customers and colleagues to make their futures whatever they want.

What does the role involve?

Reporting to the Area Distribution Manager, the Distribution Manager will be responsible for the safe and legal operation of the fleet and distribution operations management team, ensuring the continuous optimisation and effective management of distribution operations and vehicle operating centres within a defined geographical area and of our legal obligations to the Traffic Commissioner. Accountability for leadership of managerial and frontline teams who are trained and motivated to effectively ensure mail transportation between Plants, Network and Collection hubs, Delivery Offices and our external customers.

You will also be line managing 4 Transport Managers who oversee up to 125 HGV and agency drivers.

It’s an important time in our history, as we make tech a bigger part of our operation and you’ll be essential in helping our people to adapt and us to grow and evolve. You will also maintain responsibilities such as:

Pipeline Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Deploy and embed World Class Mail across the Distribution/Vehicle Operating Centres, including pillar lead activity
• Utilising balanced scorecard/Key performance Indicator metric outputs review site performance and create robust plans to close performance gaps with team utilising continuous improvement tools
• Professionalise distribution utilising programme enablers ensuring Universal Service Order and operational work plans are achieved and the pipeline optimises the flow of mail, compliant with business policies, national work plan and Standard Operating Procedures. Lead deployment of change initiatives         

Asset Management

• Ensure compliance with all legislative requirements applicable to all fleet/trucks – holder of O’ Licence for site and Certificate of Professional Competence holder
• Build effective relationships with Fleet Business partner to ensure regular review of fleet utilisation in response to operation, maximising efficiency opportunity
• Build relationship with Asset manager to ensure efficient container flow plans in place
• Ensure all distribution/VOC management systems are complied with i.e. pre-advice, Open Options

Managing Individual and Team Performance

• Ensure effective application and deployment of business standards, policies and agreements. Coaching Traffic Office Managers where applicable
• Develop and excellent IR/ER climate with full involvement of Distribution/Vehicle Operating Centre employees in performance improvement
• Performance management activity in place for all TOM’s including 121, Personal Development plan via Competency Assessment
• Effective training plans developed to support national and local training needs analysis/talent strategy utilising Advance Driver Coaches
• Responsible for site Employee Survey target achievement

Planning/Customer

• Professional and productive relationships in place with external partners/customers, internal customers that are critical to delivery of site performance
• Business plan deployment/achievement
• Co-ordinate robust special event plans and delivery
• Effective agency relationships in place
   

About You

To truly excel in this role, you will possess, and be able to evidence, the skills and experience listed below:

• Knowledge of safety requirements and accident investigation
• Industry experience and working knowledge of logistics operations or a related industry, leading teams and delivering results across a balanced scorecard
• Knowledge of UK road transport legislation, must be Certificate of Professional Competence qualified, be prepared to study in order to attain within 12 months (essential role criteria)
• Good understanding of Network Planning tools, policies and processes
• Strategic planning and project management skills, data / budgetary analysis skills
• Ability to build strong stakeholder relationships and excellent influencing skills
• Negotiating with union representatives, namely CWU/CMA, at local and divisional level
• Experience of Continuous Improvement

Shift Pattern

Monday - Friday, 07:00 -15.00. Flexibility will be required to meet the needs of the business.

Extra Benefits

• RMG Share Schemes - partnership and matching share offer.
• Family friendly support - enhanced maternity pay, paternity leave, adoption leave and shared parental leave.
• Discounts and offers - there are more than 800 offers to help you save on things like groceries, days out, holidays and your household bills*.
• Supportive and generous company sick pay.
• Access to our Help@hand, Your Wellbeing, and Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) services, providing both mental and physical wellbeing support.
• Lifestyle benefits - You can purchase a car, bike, home technology or mobile phone, or choose from a range of health benefits and insurance products. You make regular payments from your salary, and so could save on tax*.
• Financial support - information and services to help you manage debt and grow your financial knowledge, with debt consolidation & savings plans*.
• Your peace of mind with Healthcare CashPlan, Dental Cover, Additional Life (life insurance) & Additional Life Partner, Hospital & Death Benefit Plans; Voluntary Critical illness & Voluntary Critical illness Partner.
• Free & discounted RMG products - free keep safe & redirection, partner discounts.
• Free stamps at Christmas.

Your career in safe hands

At Royal Mail we value our people, and we want our people, to be proud to work for our businesses. 

We have the assets, the infrastructure, and the scale that others don’t, yet we are a big part of the communities we operate in, making billions of precious deliveries each year. We are responsible for the largest B2B customer database in the UK and are one of the largest employers in the UK, providing one in every 194 jobs.

An operation of this size needs a strong support network, and the HR, Legal, Finance, IT, Risk & Governance, Customer Experience, Sales & Marketing departments are all integral to helping us to utilise the latest technology and business approaches to optimise, automate and digitise our operations.

Royal Mail is a forward thinking, innovative organisation, that is also committed to reducing emissions and improving air quality in our communities. This includes investing in technologies such as electric vehicles, drones, alternative fuel trucks and energy improvements to our estate.

Application process
If you are interested in applying, please complete your application online and submit your current CV. 

Assessment Process
Your face to face assessment is designed to enable you to showcase your suitability for management positions within Royal Mail. You will take part in a capability-based interview and a short management scenario exercise more details of which will be provided on the day.