Business Process Excellence Director - Transportation and Warehousing
Job Summary: The Business Process Excellence Director will be responsible for driving operational excellence and optimising business processes specifically within the transport and warehousing functions of our global logistics operations. This role will focus on enhancing efficiency, ensuring compliance, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement across our transport and warehousing network.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Excellence in Transport and Warehousing
Lead initiatives to streamline transport and warehousing operations, ensuring processes are lean, efficient and fit-for-purpose.
Implement and maintain a culture of 100% Right First Time and On-Time delivery within transport and warehousing.
Develop and execute strategies to achieve operational excellence, focusing on safety, quality, and delivery.
Conduct regular operational audits to identify gaps and drive corrective actions.
Benchmark best practices from internal and external sources to drive continuous improvement.
Promote a strong health and safety culture in all transport and warehousing environments.
Embed root cause analysis and corrective action efforts for operational incidents.
Business Process Management
Oversee the development, implementation, and optimisation of business processes within the transport and warehousing functions.
Ensure that all processes are documented, standardised, and aligned with the overall business strategy.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify and eliminate process inefficiencies.
Develop and maintain process maps, SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures), and training materials.
Establish governance around process changes to ensure controlled implementation.
Facilitate workshops to gain stakeholder input and alignment on process improvements.
Monitor compliance with established processes and identify training needs.
Digitalisation and Automation
Drive the adoption of digital tools and automation to enhance visibility and decision-making within transport and warehousing.
Ensure data integrity and integration across insourced and outsourced networks.
Evaluate new technologies and platforms that can improve operational performance and scalability.
Lead cross-functional teams to implement transport management systems (TMS) and warehouse management systems (WMS).
Foster a data-driven culture by enabling real-time reporting and analytics.
Ensure cybersecurity and data protection standards are upheld across all digital initiatives.
Provide training and support to colleagues on digital tools and best practices.
Network Integration and Sustainability
Drive the adoption of an integrated and sustainable transport and warehousing network that adapts to changing business needs.
Focus on reducing carbon emissions and waste disposal through green logistics initiatives.
Collaborate with procurement and external partners to implement sustainable packaging and transportation solutions.
Establish goals for carbon footprint reduction and track progress against sustainability KPIs.
Evaluate supplier and partner performance against sustainability criteria.
Support the design and implementation of circular logistics practices.
Develop contingency plans for network disruptions (e.g., natural disasters, geopolitical events).
Stakeholder Management
Engage with internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment and support for transport and warehousing initiatives.
Provide leadership and accountability for the performance of regional transport hubs and strategic global freight forwarders.
Facilitate regular review meetings with key stakeholders to communicate progress and resolve issues.
Manage relationships with third-party logistics providers to ensure service levels and contract compliance.
Advocate for the function’s needs within wider organisational forums and initiatives.
Represent the company at industry events and conferences related to transport and warehousing.
Performance Monitoring and Reporting
Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress and identify areas for improvement.
Prepare and present regular performance reports to senior management.
Develop dashboards to provide real-time visibility of operational metrics.
Analyse trends and root causes for performance deviations, and lead corrective actions.
Support budget planning by providing accurate data on transport and warehousing costs and efficiencies.
Coordinate quarterly and annual performance reviews with relevant business units.
Ensure timely escalation and resolution of critical performance issues.
Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or a related field.
10 years logistics experience.
Proven experience in transport, warehousing, logistics, or a similar role.
Strong understanding of lean principles and operational excellence methodologies.
Experience with digital tools and automation in transport and warehousing.
Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
Strong communication and stakeholder management abilities.
Preferred Qualifications:
Master's degree in a related field.
Certification in Lean Six Sigma or similar operational excellence frameworks.
Experience in a global logistics environment.
Key Competencies:
Leadership and team management
Strategic thinking and planning
Continuous improvement mindset
Data-driven decision-making
Adaptability and resilience
AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorisation and employment eligibility verification requirements.
