Head of Melbourne Logistics

Company Overview
Strait Link is one of Tasmania's leading integrated freight and logistics providers, connecting Tasmania with mainland Australia through road and sea freight services across Bass Strait. With a heritage of more than 45 years, the business has evolved from a dedicated shipping operation into an end-to-end logistics provider, offering transport, warehousing and shipping services to customers across agriculture, forestry, mining, manufacturing, retail and aquaculture.

The business has continued to invest in vessels, transport, container fleets and logistics infrastructure to support its growing customer base, and is entering an exciting new phase of growth. This newly created leadership role sits right at the centre of it.

Position Overview
Reporting to the GM Logistics, we are seeking a commercially strong, safety-focused leader with a genuine enterprise mindset to take full accountability for the safe, efficient and profitable operation of the Melbourne branch, spanning warehousing, yard services, transport and supporting administration across both ambient and refrigerated freight.

Key to your success in this role will be your ability to align people, assets and infrastructure to meet customer demand, embed a strong safety and continuous improvement culture, and drive operational and commercial performance across a fast-paced, customer-focused environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Champion a proactive safety culture through visible leadership, risk management, compliance and continuous improvement
• Lead and embed organisational change initiatives, ensuring successful adoption of new processes, systems and ways of working
• Build and maintain strong relationships with strategic customers, union representatives and key internal stakeholders
• Manage strategic customer relationships, partnering closely to ensure service excellence, identify growth opportunities and deliver continuous improvement outcomes
• Collaborate with Sales and Commercial teams to contribute to tender preparation and new business opportunities
• Lead, develop and engage a high-performing workforce, fostering accountability, capability and succession planning
• Promote an inclusive, diverse workplace that attracts and retains talent from a broad range of backgrounds

Key Responsibilities

• Drive operational excellence by aligning people, assets and infrastructure to customer and network requirements
• Identify and eliminate waste, reduce costs and optimise resource utilisation using Lean principles and continuous improvement methodologies
• Leverage technology, data and automation, including modern logistics systems (WMS / TMS), to enhance decision-making and customer outcomes
• Deliver branch financial, operational and customer performance outcomes against clear KPIs, including safety, DIFOT, EBITDA and productivity targets
• Contribute to strategic customer retention, improved customer experience and overall revenue growth

To be successful, you will have:

• Proven experience in a senior operational leadership role with P&L accountability and an enterprise-wide, strategic mindset
• A strong track record in safety leadership, risk management and workplace compliance
• Experience leading organisational change, business improvement and operational transformation 
• Demonstrated ability to manage financial performance, cost control and drive productivity improvement
• Experience building relationships with customers, unions and key stakeholders in a fast-paced environment
• Working knowledge of Lean principles and continuous improvement methodologies
• A qualification in Business, Logistics, Supply Chain, Operations Management or a related discipline, or equivalent industry experience
• A valid Class C (car) unrestricted Australian driver's licence

What's on offer:

• The opportunity to lead a business entering a genuinely pivotal moment, with real, enterprise-level influence over how Melbourne's operations evolve
• Autonomy and scope to shape process, drive transformation and build a high-performing culture
• A stable, long-standing operator backed by new ownership with clear ambitions for growth
• The chance to work closely with senior leadership and make a tangible commercial impact

How to Apply:
To apply online, please click on the apply function. Alternatively, for a confidential discussion, please contact Lewis Ironside on [0435 824 108](tel:0435 824 108) or [email protected]