PD Ports is a leading UK port business offering end-to-end supply chain solutions, employing over 1,400 people in the UK. With headquarters based in the Northeast of England, PD Ports owns and operates the UK’s sixth largest port by volume. Operating out of 11 key ports and logistics centres across the UK, we are committed to retaining and developing talent nationwide.
We are seeking to recruit a Business Unit Director for our Groveport site located on the River Trent. The successful candidate will provide dynamic leadership and effective management facilitating change and shaping a culture of success and will bring significant presence to the business with a focus on health and safety, customer partnerships and generating growth by driving the commercial and strategic objectives whilst exercising budgetary control.
The Business Unit Director will be responsible for the delivery of site operations and will seek to inspire, support and mentor their leadership team to exceed performance targets/business metrics across the various areas of the operation.
The main things our Business Unit Director will be working on include:
- Leading the health and safety agenda and ensure full engagement with the Company’s health and safety ethos and safety-first philosophy, maintaining high safety standards
- Ensuring site wide compliance with company safety policies, statutory obligations, undertake inspections and audits and confirm that procedures, risk assessments and work instructions are followed
- Leading on the development of the business unit strategy and deliver the agreed objectives
- Leading on the creation and implementation of best practice principles, policies and processes to improve operational and financial performance
- Plan, manage and evaluating the operations liaising with internal stakeholders, suppliers, logistics providers, transportation companies and customers
- Setting departmental objectives/KPIs and performance targets, monitor, report on delivery against targets and identify any remedial action required
- Negotiating rates and contracts with customers and suppliers
- Lead, manage and co-ordinating internal and customer projects drawing on expert resource as required
- Manage, coach, motivate and developing a high performing team capable of meeting agreed objectives and delivers best practice results, added value and continuous improvement initiatives
- Working collaboratively with the People Team and Talent & Capability Team to ensure our people are supported, trained, developed and managed in line with our principles and our objective of being an employer of choice
- Lead the team to deliver environmental management initiatives, site-wide legal compliance and effective facilities, equipment, plant and resource management
- With support from the Commercial Department lead the team to maintain service levels of existing contracts, manage the customer experience and seek to develop new business opportunities
- Lead on the development and utilisation of IT systems to meet operational and financial requirements
- Set budgetary targets and use established financial management practices, tools and review mechanisms to measure turnover, profitability and control costs to deliver agreed financial performance
- Lead on the management and delivery of departmental audits to maintain existing internal and external accreditation and standards
We are seeking someone who:
- Has a proven track record in a senior management role with operational and commercial acumen.
- An effective leader.
- Can demonstrate organisational, communication, negotiation, mentoring and influencing skills.
- Self-motivated and flexible.
- Has an eye for detail and the ability to work under pressure in a very demanding environment.
- Be able to effectively communicate and build relationships both internally and externally, at all levels.
Benefits:
We offer 25 days holiday, paid maternity, paternity and adoption leave, life insurance and a cycle to work scheme.
If you are interested in this opportunity please apply in writing, outlining relevant skills & experience, to hr.recruitment@pdports.co.uk and use job reference BUDG25.
Closing Date: Friday 11th July 2025.