Contract Logistics Team Leader

Contract Logistics Team Leader

Location: Derby
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
Job Type: Full-time, permanent
Hours: 40 hours per week

About the Role

We are recruiting for an experienced Logistics Lead to take ownership of the day-to-day coordination and performance of a high-volume vendor returns operation.

This is a hands-on operational leadership role, responsible for ensuring customer expectations and service levels are consistently achieved across warehouse, transport and customer-facing activities. You will act as a key link between internal operations, transport planning, warehouse teams, technology partners and external customer stakeholders.

The successful candidate will be organised, commercially aware and confident managing operational challenges in a fast-paced logistics environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operation of a high-volume vendor returns function, ensuring agreed service levels and customer commitments are achieved.
• Oversee the end-to-end process from inventory receipt through to final delivery.
• Manage and monitor operational KPIs, productivity, workload and service performance.
• Lead and support a team, providing direction and ensuring consistent operational standards.
• Act as the escalation point for service issues, customer concerns and operational risks.
• Coordinate inbound inventory and outbound delivery schedules to maximise efficiency.
• Monitor inventory accuracy, storage capacity and throughput, investigating and resolving discrepancies.
• Manage delivery exceptions including failed deliveries, refusals, rebooking and other service issues.
• Work closely with warehouse and transport planning teams to coordinate inventory movement and delivery activity.
• Support trailer management, capacity planning and resource allocation during peak periods.
• Build strong relationships with customers, transport providers and internal stakeholders.
• Produce operational reports, dashboards and performance updates for senior management.
• Analyse performance data and identify opportunities for process improvement.
• Develop and implement improved processes, procedures and best practice.
• Support technology and automation initiatives designed to improve accuracy and efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with company procedures, SOPs and customer requirements.

About You

We are looking for an experienced logistics professional with a strong operational background and the ability to take ownership of a customer-focused operation.

You will ideally have:

• Previous experience within logistics, transport, warehousing or supply chain operations.
• Experience leading teams and coordinating day-to-day operational activity.
• Strong knowledge of inventory control and logistics processes.
• Experience managing customer-facing operations and stakeholder relationships.
• Strong organisational and planning skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• A strong analytical and problem-solving approach.
• Experience working with operational KPIs, reporting and performance data.
• Good Excel and Microsoft Office skills.
• A proactive, resilient and solutions-focused approach.
• A genuine interest in continuous improvement and operational excellence.

The Opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Logistics Coordinator, Transport Lead, Operations Supervisor, Logistics Supervisor or similar to step into a position with significant operational responsibility and ownership.

You will play a key role in maintaining service performance, developing operational processes and strengthening relationships across a complex logistics network.

About Cast UK

Cast UK is a leading executive consultancy, providing national recruitment solutions to both clients and candidates. Specialising in Business Change & Transformation, HR, Procurement, Buying, Supply Chain, and Logistics, each member of our specialist team has a professional background specific to their recruiting sector. With this unique insight and knowledge, our consultants are able to place individuals from trainee through to main board. For more information on Cast UK and a complete list of all of our current vacancies, please visit www.castuk.com