Outbound/Inbound Logistics Manager

At AQA, we’re committed to advancing education and we’re committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK, we mark over 10 million exam papers each year and it’s our people who make this happen.

Outbound/Inbound Logistics Manager

Permanent

Milton Keynes: £48,000 - £52,000

Manchester: £46,000 - £50,000

Hybrid/Smart Working

Are you an experienced logistics professional seeking your next opportunity?

If you are ready to make a difference and are excited about leading a talented team and improving logistics processes to support learners across the UK, we want to hear from you.

At AQA, we are dedicated to ensuring that every learner receives the support they deserve, and we need someone like you to help us achieve that mission.

As the Outbound/Inbound Logistic Manager, you will play a crucial role in leading our Outbound/Inbound Logistics team to ensure the efficient and secure handling of materials for our exam series. You will collaborate with operational teams and manage the relationships with external third parties to ensure that exam scripts and materials are dispatched to centres and returned seamlessly, we have a 100% expectation to ensure that we never let a learner down. Your innovative approach to risk management and continuous improvement will help shape the future of our logistics processes.

What will I be doing?

• Overseeing all logistics processes, from the timely outbound dispatch to secure inbound return of exam materials.

• Creating and monitoring budgets, optimizing costs while upholding quality and security standards.

• Developing and lead your team, fostering a culture of growth, productivity, and resilience.

• Analysing data to streamline operations, minimize errors, and enhance efficiency.

• Implementing robust QA protocols and adhere to governance frameworks.

• Managing and fostering relationships with third party providers

What will I need to succeed?

• Proven experience in leading and developing high-performance teams.

• Strong analytical skills to challenge existing processes and drive improvement.

• The ability to build outstanding relationships with stakeholders

• A commitment to modelling our AQA values and contributing to our strategic priorities.

What’s in it for me?

• Generous leave: 25 days leave allocation plus additional Christmas and New Year’s leave. 

• Wellbeing support: Newly refurbished office environment good transport links, complimentary tea and coffee, subsidised eateries, and a variety of staff networks and mental health resources. 

• Pension: Benefit from up to 11.5% employer pension contributions. 

• Flexible work: Enjoy a balanced 35-hour work week with flexible hours. Office attendance is approximately two days a week but could be more due to business need, with a variety of individual and collaborative workspaces 

• Supportive culture: A dynamic work environment where your contributions are valued and your success is our priority. 

• Flexibility: Potential for travel between AQA sites and to third party providers to provide seamless transitions

How do I apply?

Read the full job description and upload your most recent CV with a cover letter explaining your suitability.

Interviews will be over two stages at the beginning of December, one virtual and the second face to face to enable you to see the environment in which you will be working.

 AQA is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, citizenship, or any other aspect which makes people unique. 

Apply now to become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and excellence.

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Full Job Description

Summary

The Outbound/Inbound Logistics Manager successfully leads, supports and develops the Outbound/Inbound Logistics team effectively. Lead the day-to-day management of all Outbound/Inbound related processes leading a team that are responsible for the efficient and secure dispatch and return of all physical materials for each exam series. Monitor and report on processes, while managing risks effectively and leading continuous improvement, working collaboratively with other teams involved in the end-to-end delivery of the exams series to ensure that AQA never lets a learner down.Landscape:
Reporting to the Head of Operations – Materials & Logistics and working alongside other operational colleagues, the Outbound/Inbound Logistics Manager ensures that across all exam series each year, all exam scripts and associated materials are delivered to centres in a timely manner and to the expected/required quality and completed exam materials are returned from centres to the scanning centre via our logistics provider.
The role holder will lead a team of permanent colleagues, supplemented by a temporary workforce during peak delivery.
The role holder may be required to travel between AQA sites on a regular basis
Activities:
Oversee the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of all outbound and inbound logistics operations for examinations.
Create and manage budgets and secure cost-effective solutions through negotiations with third-party fulfilment and transportation providers. Ensuring that procurement and finance business partners are engaged throughout.
Develop effective delivery plans for peak activity periods which include detailed expenditure and resourcing requirements to meet performance KPIs whilst operating within and achieving financial targets.
Ensure the accuracy and security of all deliveries, adhering to strict protocols throughout the examination process.
Lead and develop a team, fostering a positive, productive, and high-performing work environment.
Analyse data and identify opportunities to streamline processes, optimise efficiency, and minimise errors.
Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including Assessment, Scanning Centre Operations, and Reconciliation, to ensure seamless logistical operations.
Develop a robust framework to manage and control resource and direct costs, engaging with the wider team to collectively manage the team's budget.
Drive CI across the team by establishing and embedding best practice and ensuring that any improvements are also aligned with wider strategic priorities.
Embed robust QA processes/activity across the team.
Collaborate effectively with other teams involved in end-to-end delivery to ensure collective ownership of successful series delivery.
Monitor/track progress against delivery plans, think creatively to address any off-track activity and know when to escalate issues.
​To be successful in this role, you will need to know how to:
Develop, lead and coach a high performing, resilient team using a strong goal setting/performance driven approach.
Consistently model the AQA values.
Build outstanding relationships with internal and external stakeholders to create confidence in delivery of all logistics related activity.
Actively contribute, provide constructive challenge and influence across other teams in Operations and the wider AQA business.
Analyse complex data (in various forms) to challenge established ways of working, especially around productivity, quality and the use of both permanent and temporary resource.
Operate within the agreed governance framework for end-to-end series delivery.
Engage in wider business strategic priorities and share subject matter expertise as needed.