Head of Road Planning Zeebrugge

ECS is on the brink of a very exciting transformation to accelerate its growth curve. It is both a digital and an organisational transformation where ECS wants to excel in operational excellence, growth in strategic corridors, optimal customer care, and the development of an end-to-end transport network with intermodal sustainable solutions.

We are looking for a driven Head of Road Planning Zeebrugge who will play a crucial role within our organisation and for the development of our strategic plan. It is a new role for the Group, with the ambition to integrate the Road Planning departments at Zeebrugge for both Business Units. Part of the objective is to realize synergies by operating as one team with strong operational expertise and an efficient streamlined logistics operation.

He/She is the manager of the planning teams Road in Zeebrugge and the Trucking department (50 or so own tractors). He/she will work closely with the planning teams of the foreign offices Venlo and Hull which are locally managed.

We are looking for someone who is steeped in the ‘continuous improvement’ mindset, capable of achieving cost reductions and more efficient operations. We are looking for a person who is hands-on and pragmatic, on the floor and provides positive direction to employees. At the same time, this person should also be able to abstract from day-to-day operations to initiate positive change.

Reporting to the BU Director Intermodal West, the Head of Road Transport will have ultimate responsibility for leading the Trucking department and Road Planning departments based in Zeebrugge, as well as achieving improvement targets in terms of costs, efficiencies and potentially procurement.

Your responsibilities

Continuous improvement: cost and efficiency improvement:

• In-depth knowledge of logistics and transport processes to see all opportunities for cost improvements.

• Insight to make planning departments collaborate and create synergies.

• Analytical thinking skills and insight through data analytics to optimise routes and schedules.

People management & leadership skills:

• Strong leadership skills to inspire and guide teams towards achieving strategic goals, including cost efficiency and savings initiatives. Building management team growth, creating ownership, setting objectives in line with strategic objectives.

• Ability to mentor and develop team members and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

• Putting the right people in the right roles, ensuring a shared vision, culture and leadership values.

• Lead-by-example role, encourage dialogue and constructive improvement mindset and commit to reducing the distance between different departments and layers in the organisation.

• Ability to manage and coordinate multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.

• Decision-making skills so that decisions can be taken quickly but considered and under pressure.

• Problem-solving skills: ability to respond quickly and effectively to unexpected situations and problems.

Relationship with stakeholders:

• Collaborating with other head of's and managers to deliver and realise ECS's strategy as one management team.

• Strengthening the connection and link between the departments, within Operations itself, across countries, but also with the BUs and with the supporting services. A good understanding of the operational work processes as well as the earnings model of ECS. Data insights is essential for this.

• Cooperation with external carriers and stakeholders to optimise operational services.