Regional Director of Operations

Regional Director of Operations

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At DHL Global Forwarding, people are at the heart of everything we do.

A world leader in logistics, we connect people and businesses, moving more than just freight; we move ambition, opportunity, and global trade forward.

As Regional Director Operations & Strategy, you'll lead our Northern UK region (Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, East Midlands, and Belfast), in this critical senior leadership role, combining strategic direction with operational excellence to deliver sustainable growth, market share expansion, customer excellence, and people development.

Your Impact

Setting the strategic direction and leading multi-site freight forwarding operations with full accountability for performance, from customer excellence and market share growth to financial results and talent development, this role offers the scale, autonomy, and influence to make a genuine difference.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

• Define and execute regional strategy aligned with DHL’s global vision
• Drive profitable growth through customer retention and acquisition
• Lead high-value operational and commercial initiatives
• Own full P&L accountability, ensuring strong EBIT delivery and disciplined financial control
• Champion a customer‑centric culture, ensuring service delivery consistently exceeds expectations
• Lead senior‑level customer reviews and sponsor continuous improvement initiatives
• Oversee onboarding and integration of key accounts, ensuring seamless transitions and long‑term value creation

Operational Leadership

• Lead complex, multi‑site freight forwarding operations, ensuring efficiency, resilience, and scalability
• Monitor and optimise operational capacity in line with demand, growth, and network strategy
• Drive adoption of best‑in‑class processes, digital tools, and operational innovations

People, Culture & Safety

• Inspire and develop high‑performing leadership teams
• Promote a strong culture of safety, inclusion, well‑being, and continuous learning
• Ensure consistent application of people processes to attract, retain, and grow diverse talent

Change, Compliance & Transformation

• Lead change initiatives, including digital transformation, process renewal, and operational simplification
• Ensure full compliance with statutory, regulatory, and DHL standards across all sites

What We’re Looking For

• 8+ years’ experience in senior operational or strategic leadership roles, ideally within freight forwarding, logistics, or supply chain
• Air and Ocean freight forwarding knowledge is essential
• Proven success leading multi‑site operations and large, diverse teamsStrong commercial mindset with demonstrable P&L ownership
• Strategic, decisive, and resilient leadership style
• Full right to work and remain in the UK (sponsorship is not available)
• Ideally based within the ‘Northern region’ as outlined for the role

Why Join DHL Global Forwarding?

Be part of a world‑class, purpose‑driven organisation recognised globally for our people practices and help shape strategy, influence decisions, and drive meaningful change.

We offer:

• Competitive executive reward and benefits package

Ready to move the world with us?

If you’re a senior freight forwarding leader looking to take your impact to the next level, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply now and discover what it means to be part of DHL Global Forwarding — Excellence. Simply Delivered.

DHL Global Forwarding is committed to diversity and inclusion. We provide equal opportunities for all employees, ensuring our workplaces are free from discrimination and provide a respectful environment for everyone.

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