Ocean Freight - Branch Manager

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Job Description - Branch Manager
Location: Southampton
Contract: Full time, Office Based

About the Role

As Branch Manager, you will be responsible for the operational and financial performance of your branch, ensuring it achieves its full potential while contributing to the wider success of EV Cargo. You will act as a positive change agent, guiding your branch through the fast-moving and often volatile logistics industry, while maintaining a strong focus on profitability, efficiency, and client satisfaction.

This role requires an exceptional leader who can inspire and influence others, foster a performance-driven culture, and act as a key link between the branch and senior leadership. You will lead from the front, driving operational excellence while supporting and developing your teams to ensure EV Cargo remains an employer of choice.

Key Responsibilities

KPIs

• Maintain and improve GP Margin by engaging with commercial teams to deliver outcomes based on client analysis (Budget and Monthly Reporting).
• Maintain and improve Productivity and Quality Metrics across individuals and teams (Daily/Weekly/Monthly KPI Dashboard).
• Monitor and act on financial data metrics to ensure compliance with file processing and completion, driving an effective order-to-cash cycle.
• Ensure client retention through proactive relationship management.

Operational & Strategic Leadership

• Proactively manage all financial and operational duties across departments within the branch.
• Monitor and control costs against budget, taking corrective action as required, including resolving complaints and reducing errors.
• With support from senior leaders, make strategic logistics decisions to increase profitability while delivering excellent customer service.
• Develop and deliver operational strategies to achieve both immediate and long-term business goals.
• Review branch performance against KPIs and P&L indicators, providing clear business insights to senior management.
• Champion a performance-based culture built on transparency, accountability, and trust.
• Identify and deliver continuous improvement initiatives through process enhancements, documentation, and post-implementation reviews.

People & Client Leadership

• Inspire, coach, and develop teams to achieve branch targets, fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration.
• Support junior managers in navigating complex people management situations.
• Attract, integrate, and retain top talent within the branch, building a strong and resilient team.
• Drive client engagement through regular business reviews, client calls, and support for new business opportunities.
• Ensure proactive people management, identifying training needs and using data insights to drive team and individual performance.

Skills & Experience

• Strong background in logistics management, with demonstrable success in operational and financial performance delivery.
• Proven commercial acumen with knowledge of industry best practices.
• Cross-functional understanding of operations, finance, HR, administration, and commercial functions.
• Track record of building and leading high-performing teams in a performance-driven environment.
• Experience managing complex people situations and supporting the development of junior managers.
• Ability to establish and maintain long-term, trust-based relationships with stakeholders and clients.

Behaviours

• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, with the ability to influence and drive change across multiple functions.
• Collaborative, sharing successes and fostering team spirit.
• Proactively develops others, providing coaching, guidance, and conflict resolution where required.
• Highly organised, with excellent time management and the ability to prioritise effectively.
• Demonstrates adaptability, resilience, and a positive "can do" attitude in the face of challenges and change.
• Builds professional credibility by delivering on promises and maintaining consistent standards of integrity and trust.
• Comfortable making sound judgements in uncertain situations, taking considered risks where appropriate.