The Branch Manager is accountable for the overall performance, profitability, and operational leadership of the East Midlands freight forwarding branch. This role carries full P&L responsibility, ensuring the branch operates efficiently, grows revenue, delivers exceptional customer service, and aligns with Nippon Express strategic objectives.
The role requires a commercially astute leader capable of driving operational excellence, developing high-performing teams, and strengthening the branch's market position across air, ocean, and road freight services.
Branch Leadership
- Lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing branch team across operations, customer service, and administration.
- Create a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Provide visible, hands-on leadership within the branch.
- Ensure alignment with Nippon Express values, policies, and operational standards.
P&L Ownership
- Hold full responsibility for branch P&L performance.
- Deliver against revenue, margin, and cost targets.
- Monitor and control branch overheads and operational costs.
- Produce and present monthly financial performance reports and forecasts.
- Identify and implement cost-efficiency initiatives and productivity improvements.
Commercial Performance
- Drive branch growth through customer retention, development, and new business collaboration with sales teams.
- Maintain strong relationships with key customers and strategic partners.
- Ensure pricing discipline and margin protection across all freight products.
- Support regional and national commercial strategy execution.
Operational Excellence
- Ensure efficient and compliant freight forwarding operations across air, ocean, and road.
- Maintain high standards of service delivery, compliance, and process consistency.
- Monitor KPIs, service levels, and operational productivity.
- Address operational risks proactively.
Stakeholder Management
- Act as the senior Nippon Express representative for the East Midlands branch.
- Collaborate with Finance, HR, Sales, and Product teams.
- Provide regular performance updates to UK leadership.
Skills & Experience
- Proven branch or operations leadership experience within freight forwarding or logistics
- Strong financial and commercial acumen with P&L responsibility
- Demonstrated ability to lead and develop teams
- Experience managing multi-modal freight operations
- Strong decision-making and problem-solving capability
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
- Results-driven leadership style
Leadership Profile
- A visible and credible leader
- Commercially driven and financially accountable
- Operationally strong and performance focused
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced logistics environment
- Able to balance strategic thinking with day-to-day execution
To apply for this role or to have a confidential discussion, please contact:
Ali Gill
HR Director UK & Ireland
Nippon Express (UK) Ltd