Solutions Design Manager

Great Bear (Part of the Culina Group) provides distribution services to FMCG clients. Customer centric service focus is delivered through a site-level empowered culture.

At Culina we have a winning culture, we believe that our culture is one of the reasons our company continues to thrive… A place where you're valued, challenged, and inspired!

Reporting to the Senior Solutions Development Manager, you will work within the Business Development function, responsible for leading the solution design of tender responses, designing and delivering commercially competitive solutions for warehouse opportunities. 

This role can be based at any of our Great Bear depots within the Midlands or North area however some travel will be a requirement as part of the role.

Working hours: Monday to Friday, 40 hour week.

Key Duties of a Solutions Development Manager:

• Communicate directly with customers during all stages of the tender process.
• Analyse customer requirements including tender documents and data. Assess business development opportunities in the context of Great Bear’s existing operations and provide executive summaries. Make recommendations regarding the suitability of potential new business.
• Plan and coordinate project and tender responses. Make recommendations regarding bid scope. Liaise with Regional Operations Directors, operations teams and specialist functions within the business throughout all phases of the tender process.
• Design warehouse and transport solutions taking into account industry best practice, including: Warehouse processes; layouts; equipment; vehicle routing and shift planning, IT systems; management and admin structures.
• Develop and execute appropriate models to determine resources (people, equipment, property, IT, transport etc.) to feed into financial models.
• Manage quotes for sub-contracting any non-core services which form part of tender scope.
• Prepare profit and loss budgets in conjunction with finance teams.
• Provide detailed financial and operational comparisons for alternative solutions highlighting risk.
• Prepare tender response documentation and presentations.
• Assist with the development of company marketing materials.
• Maintain an up to date knowledge of developments in the industry through membership of a professional body (e.g. CILT), attending industry events and training courses.
• Support the development of other members of the business development team.
• Support the implementation of new contracts.

The successful candidate will have a commercial awareness of the UK third party logistics sector gained through an operations or solution design background. You will possess excellent analytical and IT skills essential to produce detailed operating cost models.  You will be comfortable communicating at Board Level and presenting proposals to customers. You will be forward thinking in reviewing any suitable automation opportunities for the projects you work on.

• Successful track record working in a logistics solutions design role with commercial accountability. Operational experience advantageous.
• Ability to lead a team through the tender process and produce high quality results. Leverage support from other departments e.g. IT, operations, HR, facilities management, to ensure appropriate engagement in solutions design and the tender process.
• Technically proficient using advanced Microsoft Office Excel functionality (macros; pivot tables; data links; lookups; etc.) with the ability to deal with complex data management.
• Current and in depth understanding of commercial warehouse rates and profit & loss.
• Confident communicating with Senior Management, Key Stakeholders and customers up to and including Board Level.
• Capable of working under pressure to meet critical deadlines and complete objectives.
• Experience of automation technologies currently in the market.
• Ability to use industry-recognised simulation and modelling tools is not essential but may be advantageous e.g. CAD, CLASS, CAST, Paragon etc.

As part of our drive to make Great Bear a great place to work. We are proud to be an inclusive and diverse organisation where we are committed to employee development and recognising success for hard working performers.

Our dedicated learning and development programmes are open to every employee to give you the opportunity to shape your own future within logistics and continue to work in an environment where team culture thrives.

Our People are the driving force behind our success, which is why we offer a wide range of benefits which include:

• Annual Leave – Competitive holiday entitlement of 25 days plus the bank holidays.
• Company Bonus – We do our best work to succeed together. When we achieve our goals you'll be rewarded through our bonus scheme.
• Private Medical Cover – This gives you peace of mind, you have choice, flexibility and speed of access to the most clinically appropriate care via Bupa.
• Pension scheme – we want colleagues to enjoy a comfortable retirement so we offer a great contribution of 5% employee and 8% employer.
• Life Assurance -  4x your annual salary.
• Company car or car allowance - business need
• Wellness – Via our Employee Assistance Programme, we offer immediate access to a confidential telephone counselling and legal information service that operates 24 hours a days, 365 days a year.
• Eye Care Vouchers – We can provide you with substantial savings with free eye tests and discounts on prescription glasses.
• Reward & Recognition – We recognise that employees have gone the extra mile via Employee of the month and year, special recognition and long service awards.
• Everyday discounts - via our benefit platform you will have access to over 50 retailer discounts for everyday savings!

If you meet the requirements for the above role and are looking for your next career opportunity please apply now and become a part of our #WinningTeam!