Recruiting a Business Programme Director for the Logistics Sector

The Challenge

A leading pooling and logistics provider approached us to recruit a Business Programme Director for their UK and Ireland operations. Known for its innovative supply chain solutions, the company sought to enhance its leadership team to drive its growth ambitions.

The role required a leader with strong programme management experience and the ability to implement transformative projects. The client specifically wanted to engage passive job seekers who had the requisite technical and leadership skills but may not have been actively seeking such senior roles.

They were focused on candidates with around 10 years of experience in adjacent or slightly lower roles, having demonstrated leadership potential and readiness to step into a more senior position.

The Role

The Business Programme Director role was pivotal in executing key transformation programmes and ensuring alignment with the company’s long-term strategy. Key responsibilities included:

• Programme Leadership: Delivering transformational programmes across the UK, Ireland, and European operations.
• Team Development: Building a high-performing environment for two direct reports, focusing on mentorship and engagement.
• Stakeholder Management: Managing relationships with internal departments, senior stakeholders, and external partners to ensure programme success.
• Operational Excellence: Using a data-driven approach to align processes with ISO 9001 standards and enhance quality assurance.
• Strategic Vision: Supporting the leadership team to prepare the business for future opportunities and transformation initiatives.

This role offered an ideal step-up opportunity for a candidate transitioning from middle management into strategic leadership.

Our Approach

To pinpoint the best candidate, we undertook a tailored search process built around passive job seekers ready for career progression:

1. Industry Outreach: We leveraged market research and networks to identify professionals in adjacent roles within logistics, supply chain, or programme management.
2. Career Growth Focus: We prioritised candidates with ambition and proven success in transformational projects who were ready for a larger challenge.
3. Leadership Attributes: The search emphasised individuals with natural leadership qualities, focusing on their ability to inspire and mentor teams rather than relying solely on prior seniority.
4. Skill Assessment: We sought candidates with operational expertise in ISO 9001 standards, technical proficiency, and strong analytical skills to quickly drive value.
5. Culture Alignment: Candidates were selected based on compatibility with the company’s collaborative workplace culture and proactive approach to driving improvements.

Finalising the Shortlist

Our approach resulted in a shortlist of candidates who possessed technical expertise and leadership potential, even if they hadn’t operated at the Business Programme Director level before:

• Adjacent Expertise: All shortlisted professionals had managed projects and programmes in complex environments, demonstrating readiness to take on broader leadership roles.
• Ambition for Growth: Selected candidates expressed enthusiasm for career advancement and a willingness to contribute to a dynamic, innovative logistics business.
• Leadership Capability: Despite operating in slightly lower-level roles, the individuals showcased strong track records in leading teams, managing stakeholders, and delivering programme results.
• Strategic Adaptability: Candidates exhibited the ability to quickly align with strategic priorities while ensuring operational execution.

The Outcome

Within eight weeks, we placed a candidate who had spent a decade as a Programme Manager at a major logistics provider, delivering complex projects. Though not actively seeking a promotion, our outreach convinced them to explore the opportunity and step into this senior leadership role.

Since joining, the new Business Programme Director has:

1. Built Leadership Capacity: Reshaped their direct reports into a high-performing team that is now overseeing five active programmes across the UK and Ireland.
2. Strengthened Strategic Alignment: Quickly adapted to the leadership team’s objectives, delivering pragmatic solutions to streamline programme planning and execution.
3. Fostered Stakeholder Collaboration: Established strong relationships across departments, winning buy-in from senior stakeholders and external partners.
4. Delivered Early Wins: Achieved key programme milestones, bringing processes in line with ISO 9001 and implementing impactful improvement protocols.

Their proactive approach and readiness for greater leadership responsibility have already delivered visible benefits for the organisation.

Contact Us

Looking to recruit ambitious individuals ready to step into leadership positions? We specialise in identifying passive talent and supporting their career growth to fill pivotal roles in your organisation.

Call: 0207 160 6996
Email: info@executiveheadhunters.co.uk