Logistics Operations & Transport Manager

Sumitomo Chemical is one of the world’s leading chemical manufacturers, conducting business in five sectors – essential chemicals & plastics, energy & functional materials, IT-related chemicals, health & crop sciences, and pharmaceuticals.

Through the global network of around 35.000 employees, the company provides worldwide support to a wide variety of industries. Sumitomo Chemical Europe has its headquarters in Machelen (Belgium), and markets a variety of chemicals throughout Europe.

To further strengthen their international Supply Chain & Logistics department in Europe, we are currently recruiting a Logistics Operations & Transport Manager.

As part of the Supply Chain & Logistics Department, you will be responsible for managing the key Logistics Service Providers and for ensuring a strong logistics collaboration between Asia and Europe, alligned with the Supply Chain & Logistics Strategy. In addition, you will continuously strive for inventory- and logistics related cost optimizations, under constant consideration of customer service, quality, safety, sustainability, and legal compliances.

• You will manage, maintain and further develop established long-term collaborations with existing Logistic Service Providers, covering both warehousing and transportation activities.
• You will optimize & manage the logistics flows from Singapore, Japan and Saudi Arabia towards Europe and secure the further distribution within Europe.
• You ensure that Sumitomo’s inventory is managed inbound & outbound accordingly by LSP’s by continuously keeping them informed on the planning.
• You will track, and adjust where necessary, the performance of LSP’s by implementing strategic KPI’s regarding cost, delivery, performance, flexibility, quality improvement, risk management and sustainability whilst striving for continuous improvement.
• You will act as internal SPOC to the Sales & Marketing department, ensuring continuity between the supply chain flows and the sales strategy.
• You will support the Head of Supply Chain & Logistics regarding the procurement and introductions of new 3PL providers. You will secure your partnership with the existing 3PL companies and expand the collaboration where needed or possible.
• You will provide day-to-day logistic support across different departments (mainly Customer Service & Regulatory) , to ensure seamless flows on inbound, handling, storage and outbound.
• You ensure internal control procedures are in place for all Business Units, in order to identify, quantify and minimize the company’s risks and secure alternative solutions when needed.
• You will develop and update the Logistics Manual for the different businesses.
• You will closely collaborate with and report directly to the Head of Supply Chain & Logistics.

• You obtained a Master’s degree and gained a valuable working experience of 3-5 years within an international supply chain management role.
• You have experience with managing Logistics Service Providers on both on a day 2 day operational basis as well as on a more strategic level.
• You have experience with outsourced logistics, distribution & warehousing activities combined with sea/road & train transportation.
• You gained your experience within an industrial B2B setting, preferably within an industry such as Chemicals/Food/Pharma or within an operations management role with a Logistics Service provider servicing the above industries. Experience with packed and bulk goods as well as import processes is a plus.
• You are experienced in optimizing inbound capacity planning. Ideally, you have experience with optimizing overflow warehousing.
• You are a team player and excellent relationship builder, able to secure buy-in from both internal and external stakeholders.
• You have analytical skills to drive data based decision taking.
• You have strong social skills and are open to other cultural mindsets, experience with the Japanese culture is a plus.
• You have strong communication skills, both orally and written, and this to different audiences in the business environment.
• You are empathic, mature and correct. You are stress-resistant and are able to maintain a helicopter view at all times.
• You are fluent in English and Dutch, other languages are considered an asset.
• You will work in SCE’s HQ in Machelen, combined with a flexible homeworking policy. You are flexible towards regular travel to your key logistics service providers that are mainly located in the Benelux and partially in the South of Europe (max 20%).

Sumitomo Chemical Europe offers you the chance to work in a world leading and stable company with international exposure and a high quality product range. A professional organization where autonomy, initiative and adaptability are recognized and stimulated.

A role with a broad variety of responsibilities in terms of tasks, cultures, projects, clients and applications. Take the chance and join a division in full expansion and headquarters that fully invest in the development of its activities and its people.

Sumitomo offers a state of the art salary package including company car, extra-legal benefits, bonus and a solid work-life balance.