Logistics Manager

Karla Otto is a renowned public relations and communications agency with offices across 14 locations in the UK, EMEA, US and Asia. Established in 1982 by Karla Otto herself, the agency has since grown to become a global leader in luxury brand PR and events.

With offices in major fashion capitals such as Milan, London, New York, and Los Angeles, Karla Otto represents some of the most prestigious fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brands in the industry.

In 2017, Karla Otto and K2 merged to form The Independents, a global group of agencies for industry leaders across luxury and lifestyle. Currently this group comprises of Bureau Betak & Bureau Future, Bureau Beatrice, Karla Otto, K2, The Qode, Lefty, Prodject and CTZAR, Atelier LUM, INCA Productions, Atelier Athem, Kennedy and Sunshine.

Our network of expert strategists, designers, planners and publicists work tirelessly to deliver exceptional results and establish long-term partnerships with our clients. We are passionate about the world of fashion, beauty, and luxury, with everyone bringing their unique expertise and insights to the table. We are driven by a shared commitment to excellence and a deep understanding of the ever-evolving industry landscape.

The Logistics Manager is responsible for driving the efficiency of the department, leading by example, and providing guidance and support to all members of the Logistics team, so they are working towards the same departmental goal. The Logistics Manager will enjoy relationship building and will foster a cohesive, efficient, and professional working environment, mediating any interpersonal issues within the team and with other departments.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Creates a regular and consistent communication plan with the London Logistics Department to identify challenges, share best practice and enable positive collaborative relationships
• Manage the preparation, maintenance, and adhere to standard company documents (e.g., Logistics training pack, Return to Vendor charts, Liability Release Letter, etc.) to enable the efficient and successful delivery of logistics tasks
• Source, establish, secure, and negotiate with trustworthy vendors and suppliers for the Company to use where appropriate
• Work with members of the Logistics Department to plan, evaluate, and improve the efficiency of departmental processes and procedures to enhance speed, quality, efficiency, and output
• Ensure the team are developing a commercial mentality when making departmental decisions
• Establish and maintain relevant controls and feedback systems to monitor the performance of the department
• Support and help drive values, activities, and initiatives within the team to foster a collaborative and communicative working environment within the office to ensure that the team understand the departmental objectives and work together to achieve it
• Provides guidance to the team on how to run the department efficiently and effectively, including communicating and setting team and individual and departmental goals
• Encourage positive and professional behavior by letting individuals know what things they are doing well, and offering clear, constructive advice on how to change actions that need improvement
• Work alongside the team to review local performance data that supports with the identification of activities to monitor and measure productivity, establish goals and targets, and overall effectiveness of the department
• Listen to team members’ feedback and resolve any issues or conflicts within the team and with other departments and/or Employees quickly and fairly
• Assist HR and the Logistics team with the hiring processes and new team member training
• Prepares periodic reports for management, as necessary or requested, to track strategic goal accomplishment
• Keeps senior management closely abreast of all departmental activities
• Maintains regular communication with all team members, senior management, and other designated contacts within the organisation
• Manages Logistics Assistants in daily operations pertaining to the department
• Training, and evaluation of Logistics team members
• Monitoring the delivery of samples to meet deadlines
• Utilize FGPS for samples trafficking, RTV’S, sendouts, shipments, imports, and sample creations
• Drives communication with clients and other logistics departments worldwide to distribute information in a timely manner
• Partners with PR teams to executive seasonal press days
• Daily management of imports and exports, inclusive of the coordination and tracking of all international and domestic shipments
• Evaluates and re-negotiates existing supplier and courier contracts, as well as source new partners
• Job duties
• Preparation of export documents, Commercial Invoices, Packing Lists
• Provides proactive feedback regarding shipping delays
• Handles all clearance delays with customs
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned

KEY ATTRIBUTES

• Demonstrates excellent leadership skills at all time
• Developing and using knowledge of post Brexit customs, duty, transport regulations for exporting to the EU and Non-EU countries
• Self-motivated and able to work on their own initiative
• Effective communicator so that the team and other relevant employees are aware of all the activities happening in the department to ensure all functions are flowing harmoniously from start to finish and everyone is aware exactly what needs to be accomplished
• Comfortable and confident to liaise and communicate (both written and oral) directly with clients, senior management, and other departments across the Company to distribute and relay information in a timely manner
• Have effectual time and project management skills
• Be able to always make responsible and effective decisions
• Have a strong background and understanding of market dynamics and logistical landscape
• Knowledge and experience in business, supervision, and management
• Knowledge of the functions, operation, and mission of the specific department
• Outstanding interpersonal relationship building and employee coaching and development skills
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop a department and department staff members
• Demonstrated knowledge of basic economics, budgeting, and accounting principles and practices
• Demonstrated ability to serve as a knowledgeable resource to the organization's management team that provides expertise in the specific department and direction
• Evidence the ability to practice and deal with a high level of confidentiality
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Must have previous experience working with Fashion GPS, strong understanding of the system
• Excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment

At Karla Otto, we are always looking for personalities with positive charisma who are enthusiastic, self-motivated, and have a keen sense of aesthetics.

Karla Otto embraces and celebrates diversity, inclusivity, and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Karla Otto provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join our team