Regional Director

Large Pallet Network business is recruiting for a Regional Director covering the Midlands and South incorporating Birmingham, Worcester, Gloucester, Mid and South Wales, Bristol, Swindon, Devon, Cornwall, Southampton, Portsmouth, Dorset , Hampshire, Reading , Oxford area but NOT LONDON

Job Purpose:
The Regional Director holds strategic and operational accountability for driving performance, service excellence, and commercial success across an assigned region. Acting as a senior leader within the organisation, this role provides direction, oversight, and high-level support to Network Managers, Depot Principals and member businesses.

The Regional Director plays a pivotal role in aligning regional performance with national objectives, fostering member engagement, and ensuring robust service delivery and network efficiency.

Key Responsibilities :

Service Excellence & Performance Leadership :
- Provide strategic oversight of daily regional service performance in collaboration with general manager of network service.
- Lead the resolution of persistent service challenges, ensuring members receive timely and effective support.
- Support with the service improvement plans for members falling below service level thresholds (96% over two consecutive months).
- Monitor and interpret trends in member inputs, cut-off times, and trading behaviours to inform strategic action.
- Evaluate delivery volumes across the region to maintain network balance and operational integrity.
- Oversee the strategic integration of new members into the network, ensuring alignment with service standards and operational expectations.

Operational & Commercial Oversight
- Work in close partnership with Depot Principals and members to ensure regional trunking operations are optimised and fit-for-purpose.
- Anticipate and respond to changes in member profiles, identifying when regional hub connections or operational adaptations are required.
- Provide strategic guidance in resolving held-over freight issues, maintaining service continuity.
- Oversee financial oversight processes, including the review of manifested vs. invoiced reports, to safeguard member revenue.
- Offer high-level commercial insight and support through the review and implementation of P&Ls and review of the operational cost structures.
- Lead regional engagement on benchmarking and performance evaluation tools (e.g., IMR sheets) to identify opportunities for growth and efficiency.
- Support members in strategic volume and postcode profiling to enhance commercial returns and network alignment.
- Drive regional realignment opportunities that deliver measurable profitability improvements for members.

Risk Management & Compliance Leadership
- Identify and mitigate potential risks affecting member operations, developing comprehensive Disaster Recovery Plans (DRPs).
- Ensure all statutory and compliance records (O Licences, insurance) are consistently up to date and accurately maintained.
- Serve as the senior escalation point for adjudications and disputes affecting regional operations or depot interactions.
- Lead financial due diligence processes by requesting and assessing member management accounts when required.
- Liaise with internal finance teams to monitor and manage member credit status and financial risk

Market Intelligence & Strategic Growth
- Maintain a high-level view of the competitive landscape across the region, providing insights on emerging risks and opportunities.
- Establish and maintain relationships with potential member businesses, particularly in haulage, to support network expansion.
- Oversee the completion and accuracy of onboarding documentation for new regional members.

Strategic Reporting & Stakeholder Communication
- Prepare and deliver insightful monthly performance reports, highlighting key regional trends, risks, and opportunities.
- Act as a senior liaison for members in the region, ensuring service delivery aligns with customer and organisational expectations.
- Monitor and champion enhancements to premium service offerings across member locations.
- Provide oversight of ECO Input activities during night operations, engaging with Depot Principals as required to ensure effectiveness.

Skills & Experience Required
- Proven experience in regional operations management within logistics, transportation, or supply chain.
- Strong understanding of network operations, trunking efficiencies, and service performance metrics.
- Experience in financial analysis, P&L management, and cost-to-serve assessments.
- Ability to analyse and interpret data to drive performance improvements.
- Strong communication and leadership skills to influence and support members, NMs, and Depot Principals.
- Excellent problem-solving abilities with a proactive approach to risk and compliance management.
- Experience working with Transport Management Systems (TMS) and Contrado is highly desirable.

Key Competencies
- Strategic Thinking: Ability to assess and improve service, financial, and operational performance across the region.
- Collaboration: Works effectively with multiple stakeholders, including members, NMs, and Depot Principals.
- Data-Driven Decision-Making: Uses performance metrics to drive efficiency and service improvements.
- Financial Acumen: Strong understanding of P&Ls, cost structures, and financial implications of operational decisions.
- Problem-Solving: Quickly identifies service issues and implements structured support plans