Finished Vehicle Logistics Manager - #2193972

Following Changan Automobile’s successful establishment in the UK market over the past year, we are seeking a strategic and results-driven Finished Vehicle Logistics Manager to take ownership of our growing and maturing finished vehicle logistics (FVL) network. In this role, you will lead the continuous optimization, scaling, and cost management of our end-to-end transport, import compliance, and distribution operations from entry ports to our UK dealer network.

You will drive operational excellence, enforce rigorous vendor governance, and ensure top-tier delivery performance and service quality, directly supporting Changan’s next phase of commercial growth and market consolidation in the UK.

Key Responsibilities

1. Network Architecture & Flow Design

• Design, optimize, and future-proof the end-to-end physical distribution flows from UK entry ports (e.g., Bristol, Southampton) through to storage compounds, PDI (Pre-Delivery Inspection) centers, and final dealer delivery.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Network Development, After-Sales, and Finance to forecast volume arrivals and secure corresponding logistics capacity well in advance.
• Manage right-hand drive (RHD) vehicle distribution models, coordinating multi-modal transport flows tailored to the UK market's specific commercial and retail requirements.

2. 3PL & Vendor Lifecycle Management

• Select, onboard, and manage logistics service providers, including freight forwarders, finished-vehicle carriers (car haulers), compound operators, customs brokers, and PDI partners.
• Establish rigorous performance criteria, SLAs, KPIs, and contracts designed to scale seamlessly as shipping volumes increase; conduct regular Business Reviews (QBRs) and replace underperforming vendors.
• Monitor vendor performance across costs, quality, and delivery timelines, proactively initiating corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) when standards are compromised.

3. Operational Control & Quality Assurance

• Strategic Control over Daily Execution: Oversee the core operational pipeline—port discharge \rightarrow compound storage \rightarrow PDI \rightarrow dealer handover—ensuring that stock accuracy, yard discipline, damage control, and claims management are strictly governed by contract and audit rather than direct manual execution.
• Continually track and audit delivery quantities, lead times, and transport costs to minimize vehicle transit damage and maximize operational precision.

4. Customs, Import & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure all customs brokers and supply chain partners maintain a fully compliant import, clearance, and documentation chain aligned with UK regulatory frameworks (e.g., CDS, GVMS).
• Maintain clear operational boundaries and accountability between Changan UK and third-party logistics (3PL) providers, while tracking and adapting to UK regulatory or environmental policy shifts.

5. Cost Management & Budgeting

• Own the UK regional logistics budget in close partnership with the Finance team, establishing transparent cost models and route-to-market financial tracking.
• Drive continuous cost-optimization initiatives and efficiency gains without sacrificing service levels or compromising network resilience for future volume growth.

6. Demand Planning & On-Time Delivery (OTD)

• Align vehicle allocation forecasts with downstream delivery schedules to guarantee secure transport capacity and preemptively resolve supply chain bottlenecks.
• Evaluate the operational and financial impact of logistics adjustments (e.g., routing changes, shifts in shipping modes, batch volume surges, or carrier transitions) and report insights to leadership.

7. Logistics Management Platform & Digital Systems

• Serve as the business-content owner for logistics IT systems, including Transportation Management Systems (TMS), Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), and Control Tower monitoring tools.
• Define functional requirements, participate in user acceptance testing (UAT), and drive high adoption rates among internal stakeholders and external logistics partners.

8. Governance & Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

• Establish robust Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), governance frameworks, and escalation matrices tailored to the UK market landscape.
• Maintain agility within a lean headquarters structure, capable of deploying emergency protocols or coordinating local resources during operational peaks or disruptions.

Required Skills, Competences & Background

• Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, Automotive Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Industry Experience: Extensive professional experience in automotive supply chain management or finished-vehicle logistics (FVL), ideally within an OEM or major automotive logistics provider operating in the UK or European market.
• Vendor & Contract Expertise: Demonstrated success in 3PL tender management, SLA structuring, complex contract negotiations, quality claims management, and supplier business reviews.
• Market Knowledge: In-depth working knowledge of UK port operations, compound management, specialized road transport, PDI processes, and UK import/customs regulations.
• Process & Operating Model Design: Proven ability to design and implement scalable logistics processes and operating frameworks from the ground up, rather than merely executing pre-existing playbooks.
• Digital Systems Acumen: Comfortable acting as a business owner for logistics technology platforms (TMS, WMS, Control Towers).
• Commercial & Soft Skills: Strong numerical aptitude for cost modeling and KPI tracking; exceptional negotiation skills; and cross-cultural communication abilities to align multi-country stakeholders and external partners effectively.
• Work Location: Based within a workable commute of the designated UK office, with willingness to travel to ports, compounds, and partner facilities as required.