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