Daniel Patrick Email & Phone Number

Owestry, West Midlands, Uk, International

I have loved smoothing the supply chain within the Dairy Industry and more recently within one of the country's leading third party logistics providers. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to have been involved with market leading organisations, getting fast moving consumer goods to market.In an attempt to follow my dreams and create a work life balance I have set up a small enterprise processing fallen trees and waste timer into premium firewood, packed for economy and convenience, building on my experience heating our 400 year old country home.I would like to keep upto date with the logistics industry, in particular FMCG and chilled food distribution, by working on a part time or freelance basis, so contact me if you see any opportunity that could lead to mutual benefit, or if you need some firewood!

I manage the commercial relationship and development for client in the Northern region, covering six distribution centres in the Midlands and the North of the country, both temperature controlled and ambient. Supported by a team of four, we manage a large number of clients including household names as well as smaller and start up companies, ensuring contractual compliance and developing lasting mutually beneficial relationships.

Outsourcing of warehousing and transport operations required close management and optimisation of distribution networks across the group. Having been largely responsible for the implementation of that outsourcing, I was seen as the natural candidate for the position. The role was made up of contract management of both chilled and ambient networks as well as liaising with manufacturing sites to ensure quality product is made available to service providers at the right time. Working continuously with third party logistics providers to ensure customers receive the highest service levels at the lowest possible cost, as well as planning closely with the customers to understand their requirements and to tailor services accordingly. This involved driving change and improvements to enable delivery of business plans.

My experience in and knowledge of customer supply chain led to this secondment to implement the biggest change in our route to market; that is, the outsourcing of ambient warehousing and consolidation of chilled transport providers. Pulling together and coordinating all relevant work streams as well as identifying opportunities and threats, which were maximised and minimised respectively. I consulted with customers to manage expectations and concerns and produced and executed cut over plans ensuring seamless customer service

The role was to manage and develop the customer supply chain with key retail customers, mainly M&S and Waitrose, and covered all major retail and foodservice customers at different stages. Building close relationships enabled me to become an integral part of their supply chain, from working on collaborative forecasting to off loading a vehicle at the local store and merchandising product on shelf. Understanding customers’ objectives and business plans enabled the tailoring of products and service to their requirements in the leanest way, sharing cost savings and improving service levels.

I was brought in to develop and manage a customer service team to meet the changing requirements of the customer base. Initially the role was one of service reporting and customer liaison, whilst advocating for the customer in a high pressured traffic office. Soon finding my feet, I took on more responsibilities including the Administration Department as well as Customer Services Department, which included paperwork, PODs and customer invoicing. In addition I provided management reports, procedures, service reports, ad hoc numerical analysis as well as being responsible for vehicle tracking and mobile phones, driver induction and compliance.