Logistics Analyst

Successful candidate will be based within the distribution centre and will play a key role in overseeing and monitoring the day-to-day performance of the third-party logistics (3PL) operation. 

The role will be responsible for monitoring inbound & outbound volumes, inventory accuracy, order fulfilment, operational performance and adherence to agreed service levels. The Logistics Analyst will analyse operational data, maintain and report on key business KPIs, identify trends and exceptions, and provide clear insight to management to support operational decision-making and continuous improvement. 

Working closely with the 3PL provider and internal stakeholders, the role will ensure that operational processes are being followed, contractual and business requirements are met, and any areas of non-compliance or underperformance are promptly identified, escalated and followed through to resolution.

Key Responsibilities: 3PL Operations Oversight 

• Monitor the day-to-day performance of the 3PL operation within the distribution centre. 
• Oversee and analyse, goods receipt, put-away, storage, picking, packing, despatch and returns activities to ensure risk free operation levels.  
• Monitor operational volumes against planned and expected activity levels. 
• Ensure agreed processes, service levels and operational standards are consistently maintained. 
• Liaise with the 3PL operational team to resolve issues, delays, discrepancies and exceptions. 
• Identify operational risks and escalate issues that may impact customer service, cost, inventory or business performance. 
• Support the smooth running of daily warehouse and distribution activities. 

Inventory Management 

• Monitor inventory accuracy and investigate customer impacting stock discrepancies.  
• Analyse stock movements, adjustments, variances, losses and other inventory exceptions. 
• Monitor cycle counts, stock checks and stock reconciliation activities. 
• Identify trends in inventory discrepancies and work with the 3PL to establish root causes. 
• Ensure inventory-related processes and controls are being followed. 
• Support investigations into damaged, missing, excess or unidentified stock. 
• Maintain accurate records and reporting relating to inventory performance. 

KPI & Performance Management 

• Maintain and monitor key logistics and supply chain KPIs. 
• Track 3PL performance against agreed SLAs, KPIs and operational targets. 
• Analyse  daily, weekly and monthly performance reports for potential gaps and best service possible.  
• Highlight performance trends, recurring issues and areas requiring management attention. 
• Provide clear commentary and analysis alongside reporting rather than simply presenting data. 
• Maintain dashboards and reporting tools to improve visibility of operational performance. 

Compliance & Non-Compliance 

• Monitor compliance with agreed operational procedures, SLAs, contractual requirements and internal policies. 
• Review operational data and reports to identify instances of non-compliance. 
• Flag, record and escalate compliance failures and operational exceptions. 
• Work with the 3PL provider to establish root causes and agree corrective actions. 
• Maintain an action log and monitor corrective actions through to completion. 
• Identify recurring non-compliance and provide analysis and recommendations to prevent reoccurrence. 
• Ensure relevant documentation and records are maintained accurately and consistently. 

Data Analysis & Reporting 

• Collect, validate and analyse logistics and warehouse data from multiple sources. 
• Identify trends, anomalies, inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement. 
• Translate operational data into meaningful business insight. 
• Prepare management reports and presentations covering operational performance, KPI achievement, compliance and key risks. 
• Investigate data discrepancies and ensure reporting is accurate and reliable. 
• Develop and improve reporting processes to reduce manual work and improve data visibility. 
• Use data to support operational decision-making and continuous improvement initiatives. 

Continuous Improvement 

• Identify opportunities to improve warehouse, inventory and distribution processes. 
• Use data and operational insight to identify inefficiencies and potential cost savings. 
• Support process improvement projects and implementation of corrective actions. 
• Work collaboratively with the 3PL provider and internal teams to improve service levels and operational performance. 
• Monitor the impact of improvement initiatives through relevant KPIs. 
• Challenge existing processes where appropriate and provide evidence-based recommendations. 

Key Working Relationships :The role will work closely with: 

• 3PL warehouse and operational management 
• Internal Logistics and Supply Chain teams 
• Transport and Distribution teams 
• Inventory/Stock Control 
• Customer Service 
• Finance 
• IT/Data teams 
• Senior Management 

Skills & Experience:Essential 

• Experience within a logistics, warehouse, distribution or supply chain environment. 
• Strong analytical and numerical skills. 
• Experience producing and interpreting operational KPI reports. 
• Good understanding of warehouse and distribution processes, including inbound, outbound and inventory management. 
• Experience identifying operational issues, exceptions and non-compliance. 
• Strong Excel skills, including the ability to analyse large datasets and produce meaningful reports. 
• Strong attention to detail and a methodical approach to problem solving. 
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to work effectively with operational teams and management. 
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced distribution environment. 

Desirable 

• Experience in a logistics analyst, supply chain analyst, warehouse analyst or similar role. 
• Experience managing 3PL performance against SLAs and contractual KPIs. 
• Experience with WMS or warehouse management systems. 
• Experience with Power BI or other data visualisation/reporting tools. 
• Knowledge of inventory control and stock reconciliation processes. 
• Experience supporting audits, compliance reviews or operational investigations. 
• Understanding of continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean or Six Sigma. 

Personal Attributes:The successful candidate will be: 

• Analytical and commercially aware. 
• Highly organised and detail-oriented. 
• Proactive in identifying problems rather than simply reporting them. 
• Confident challenging operational performance when required. 
• Comfortable working with both data and operational teams. 
• Strong at communicating complex information clearly and concisely. 
• Able to work independently while maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders. 
• Resilient and capable of working in a busy distribution centre environment. 
• Focused on accuracy, accountability and continuous improvement. 

What Success Looks Like:Success in this role will be demonstrated through: 

• Accurate and timely KPI and management reporting. 
• Improved visibility of 3PL operational performance. 
• Effective identification and resolution of opera