Logistics Head of Region Europe

The organisation

Our client, Sandvik Manufacturing and Machining Solutions (SMS) is a business area within the Sandvik Group a Swedish company listed on the Nasdaq in Stockholm.

Sandvik Machining Solutions (SMS) provides tools, tooling systems, metal powder and services that optimize machining operations such as turning, milling, and drilling. Services include, for example, logistic solutions and productivity improvement programs. The business area segment holds several market-leading brands for its metal-cutting offering which operate independently from each other: Sandvik Coromant, Seco, Walter and Dormer Pramet.

Part of SMS is the SMS Logistics organization: a distribution network around the world with five Distribution Centers around the globe (Hebron Kentucky (USA), Den Hoorn (NLD), Jundiaí (BRA), Singapore (SGP) and Shanghai (CHN)). The headquarters of SMS Logistics is located in Luzern (CHE).

In 2022 the European Distribution Center in Den Hoorn was opened. A 15,000m2 warehouse, where over 100,000 different tools and tooling systems are stored to be distributed all over the world: shipped at the same day when ordered. This site employs about 260 employees of which 80 temporary staff.

At SMS Logistics employees are proud of their contribution to the customer experience. They support the divisions within Sandvik Machining Solutions in meeting their core business needs. They add value to the customer experience using their expertise in logistics and collaborating with the divisions to make sure customer orders are fulfilled in time, in perfect condition, with the lowest possible impact on the environment and in compliance with all international laws and regulations – at the lowest possible cost.

The culture of Sandvik can be described as: tech driven, innovative, and entrepreneurial. There is a huge believe that success is a team effort so they value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where people can be themselves and reach their full potential. They invest in supporting each other, learning together, and celebrating their differences.

The position

For SMS Logistics, we are searching for a Logistics Head of Region Europe, who will also serve as the site manager for the Distribution Center in Den Hoorn (ZH).

In this role you take the responsibility to lead, optimize, and continuously improve logistics operations to support the organization's objectives, meet customer needs, and drive sustainable success in the European region.

In this position, you report directly to the President of SMS Logistics, and you are a member of the global SMS Logistics management team. You are also leading the local management team, consisting of nine members, including this position.

Tasks & responsibilities

As Logistics Head of Region Europe, you combine the following aspects in your role:

• Strategic Planning: developing and implementing the logistics strategy for the Europe region in alignment with the overall company goals. This involves analyzing market trends, identifying opportunities for optimization, and ensuring efficient operations.
• Logistics Operations: Manage day-to-day logistics operations. Streamline processes to optimize resource utilization and secure that activities are aligned with other business processes within SMS Logistics. Also, you are responsible for supervising the maintenance and the total premises of the European DC. 
• Team Leadership: Managing and leading a team of professionals at the European Distribution Center. This involves providing guidance, coaching, and support to ensure the team meets its objectives and delivers high-quality results and maintains a competitive advantage for the SMS Divisions in line with the Sandvik Core Values. As the Head of the European Region you are expected, with your local management team, to drive engagement, inclusion, feeling of belonging and a can-do-culture around all employees on site. 
• Budgeting and Cost Control: Developing and managing budgets for logistics operations in the European region. Responsible for controlling costs, optimize spending, and deliver results within budgetary constraints.
• Performance Monitoring: Driving key performance indicators and metrics to track the performance of logistics operations. You would regularly monitor these metrics, analyze performance data, and identify areas for improvement.
• Communication and Collaboration: Collaborating closely with the divisions within Sandvik Machining Solutions and the internal organization to ensure alignment, provided services and coordination for the European region. Effective communication is essential for successful cross-functional collaboration.
• Continuous Improvement: Driving a continuous improvement culture, including initiatives to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and streamline processes within the logistics operations. This may involve implementing new technologies, optimizing routes, or redesigning workflows.
• Compliance and Risk Management: Ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and standards related to logistics and transportation. You would also be responsible for identifying and mitigating risks associated with logistics operations, such as supply chain disruptions or regulatory changes.
• Quality, Health, Safety and Environment: Responsible for securing QHSE and make sure that these are aligned with our company policy. 
• Vendor Management: Developing and maintaining relationships with suppliers and other external partners. You would negotiate contracts, evaluate vendor performance, and ensure service level agreements are met.

Candidate profile

Great value is placed on your strong leadership skills. By demonstrating a clear vision, empowering team members in taking ownership of their roles and responsibilities to foster a sense of autonomy, accountability, and creativity within the team. You build trust among team members and stakeholders through transparent communication, integrity, reliability, creating a positive and supportive work environment.

You have a strong drive to deliver results and to drive people engagement. With solid warehouse management capabilities, analytical thinking, decision making, and a problem-solving attitude, you influence and promote a culture of innovation and continuous improvements. Furthermore, you use your excellent communication capabilities to build and maintain solid relationships, motivating and inspiring both employees and stakeholders. You believe that good teamwork is a key to success.

Furthermore, you bring: 

• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in supply chain management, logistics or business administration, or equivalent knowledge gained from previous assignments within leadership and people management. 
• You have at least ten years of relevant working experience and you have in depth and up-to-date knowledge of supply chains (especially warehousing) and market trends. 
• As our client operates in a global environment, you need excellent communication skills in English, both verbally and in writing. Communication skills in Dutch is an advantage.
• (Limited) travel is a natural part of the role as well efficient digital collaboration across time zones, in order to keep a strong presence across the organization.

Interested?

You can apply for this position by using the form below. For more information you can contact Karin Benning via 06 – 30 14 85 14.

There will be several interview rounds with representatives from Lodiers & Partners and with our client. A personality questionnaire (Lumina) will be part of this procedure. An assessment center and or presentation of a business case could also be part of this.

For more information about our client, please visit their stories hub, LinkedIn, or Facebook to get to know them further.