Meet our people
Andrew Bond
Senior Key Account Manager
Can you talk us through a typical day as a senior Key Accounts Manager?
In my role as Senior Key Account Manager at Tilbrook site in Milton Keynes I oversee a team of 29 people. My role focuses on the Final Mile outbound process for consumer technology customers and final mile destinations for several high street retailers and supermarkets. Some of my responsibilities include overseeing customer contracts, dealing with any escalations, creating reports, including financial reporting as well as regular customer visits.
Where did you start your journey in Yusen Logistics and how did you get to your current position?
I have been with Yusen Logistics for approximately 14 and a half years and in my current role for just over a year. I first joined through an agency working on a six-month temporary contract in 2008 and moved to a permanent contract as an NVOCC Coordinator for just over 5 years, before moving on to a Customs Coordinator role for just under 3 years. I then progressed to a Customs Logistics Team Leader for approximately 2 and a half years before becoming an NN Manager for roughly another 2 and half years.
How did you get into logistics in the first place?
Initially I was studying IT in college, and I wanted to progress through a programming route. Then I got some temporary work through an agency and fell into logistics that way. Once I got started with Yusen Logistics, I fell in love with the job and the fact that Yusen Logistics is all about people.
What would say to a person considering a role in logistics at Yusen Logistics?
I would recommend getting in touch with someone doing the job you are interested in, to find out more about it, as you don’t really know until you have had that conversation.
I have been with Yusen Logistics since I was 18 and the factors that have kept me here include that it is a well-respected and friendly company, as well as very people focused and it’s more like working with friends and family than strangers. You are not just a number here and you get respect from all, which is reflected by many other colleagues who have been with the company for a long time. I also like the development and training opportunities on offer, and it is certainly a company where you get out what you put in.
I have had a very supportive manager on my own progression path, providing coaching, mentoring, and offering training programmes such as our Leadership Development Programme, in aiding my career development. Because of the support I received, I have now become a mentor myself, supporting our graduates in their career journeys with Yusen Logistics.
Dean Washington
Driver Trainer & Assessor
What is your role in Yusen Logistics?
I initially started as a driver for Yusen Logistics 18 years ago and a few years ago I was offered a Driver Trainer Assessor role and I haven’t looked back! I was offered the LGV Instructor and DCPC Instructor training courses at RTITB and I passed both. I also passed the Yard Shunter Instructor Course. I’m now doing something that I really wanted to do and I have had great support from my manager and other colleagues along the way.
I’m based in Derby but I work across different sites, including Leeds, Erith, Northampton and Wythenshawe. I also work closely with our insurance department regarding accidents and finding ways to reduce these. I like carrying out DCPC Training which Driver’s need to complete over a 5-year cycle.
I enjoy helping as much as I can and passing on my experience to other HGV drivers. I’m no expert but I like to think I have learnt something over my driving career. If any body needs help or a chat, I’m a good listener.
How did you end up in the logistics industry?
I have been driving since 1985, both my father and grandfather used to work as drivers, so I guess it runs in the family! Seeing the work, they were doing, I knew from an early age what job I’d like to do.
Obviously, since then driving itself has changed a lot. We now deal with more traffic, safety is a big thing and concentration is paramount when you drive for a living. We now have more technology available to make our job easier (e.g. Scanners, Bluetooth, Sat nav & Modern Vehicles), which have come a long way since I first started. I think the public appreciate driver’s more now a days which as to be a good thing!
Tell us about your role/Take us through your typical day.
My typical day starts early to get on top of everything. I work closely with our Transport Managers to arrange what drivers I need for training on the day. We carry out training all year on the Toyota contract which includes Annual Driving Assessments, Coupling-Uncoupling audits, Load safety audits, Pre-Vehicle check audits, eyesight check audits and Manual Handling which I am now an instructor.
I also work closely with Toyota to maintain good safety levels. If they have any issues, they involve me to help. I carry out customer site visits assessing that it is safe for our drivers to carry out their duties. I work with 2 driving assessors, who help me out a lot and I arrange work for them to carry out. What I like most about my role is that there is always something to do and I like the challenges my role throws up.
What would you say to a person considering a career in logistics?
Driving is a good career if you work for a good company, and I truly believe that Yusen Logistics is one of them (the grass is not greener out there, it is just cut a bit different). We provide regular training to our drivers and we strongly focus on safety. We also offer stability and long-term career opportunities in our organisation. Our drivers use a modern vehicle fleet so not only are their work conditions good, but they can represent us to our customers in a professional way.
Driving careers will suit someone who is independent and who is happy to work on their own. When working for Yusen Logistics, our drivers are in very stable jobs, and they also have overtime opportunities to increase their earnings. We are happy to discuss flexible working arrangements and different shifts to best suit individual circumstances.
Overall, a driver who is motivated, open minded and eager to learn new things, will succeed at Yusen Logistics.
Eismantas Sungaila
Warehouse Solutions Design Analyst
Tell us about a typical day as a warehouse solutions design analyst?
My current role is in the Business Development Team and I support new business opportunities as well as existing business activities, by supply the Business Development team with analysis data and proposed solutions. I also work on contract renewals and strategic projects with my current team.
What lead you to start your journey in Yusen and how did you get to your current position?
I started my journey by completing a Logistics & Supply Chain Management Degree at Hull University. I had an interest in the world of logistics after researching the industry in the 6th form at school. As part of my university degree, I completed a sandwich year at another logistics company. Following my degree I then found the graduate opportunity at Yusen Logistics. One of the aspects that appealed to me was the culture of the company. Although I found my sandwich year a valuable experience, I felt that Yusen Logistics was the best fit for me culturally, and that was just as important to me as the programme and future opportunities it offered. Although Yusen Logistics is a large company, it has that family feel. As part of the Management Trainee Programme, I had easy exposure to higher level management, which was a real bonus. I find that the departments work closely together and with flexibility and room to input ideas. Yusen Logistics is a very close knit and co-dependant company and that personally works well for me.
How did you get into logistics in the first place?
Like most people I mostly fell into it after I did some research in 6th form. I studied Business Studies in 6th form and part of the course was looking at Supply Chain. When I did my research, I realised quickly that it’s not as simple as a – b; there are so many different roles in the industry It was when I attended careers fairs and learned about variety that I really wanted to get involved. There is something for everyone in Supply Chain and I find the environment here very inclusive.
What would say to a person considering joining as a management trainee at Yusen?
I would advise being proactive and reach out and approach people There is a great support structure in place here. However, the more you put in, the more you get out of this experience. You have fantastic support, but you need to drive yourself. If you want to get involved in more, ask. If it’s not possible at that time, where’s the harm in asking the question?
Why would you recommend joining as a management trainee at Yusen?
The mentorship you receive is valuable. It’s a very well-structured scheme and the support is there to help you to succeed. You have the flexibility to build your own path to develop where you want. You get exposure to senior management, who are all very approachable and supportive. It’s a fantastic way to get to understand the company. The company really demonstrate that they look after people, which is seen in the longevity of a lot of colleagues and one of the reasons I have chosen to stay with Yusen Logistics on my career path following completion of my Graduate Trainee Programme.
Michael Nock
Financial Planning & Analysis Apprentice
Tell us about a typical day as an apprentice in the finance team
There isn’t really a ‘typical day’ as such, it’s different every day. There are certain tasks that we do on a regular basis which include month end and mid-month reports. I first started my apprenticeship in Accounts Payable and Financial Planning and analysis is what I’m doing now.
As an Accounts Payable Coordinator, I dealt a lot with suppliers. Generally, the team received invoices which we process and then pay the suppliers. Accounts payable was split into 2 teams; the scanning team and the coordinators, which I was a part of. My main job was liaising with the suppliers and matching invoices for payment. Maintaining accuracy was a priority in this role and good time management was also a key, especially with weekly and monthly reports.
In my current role as a Financial Planning & Analysis Apprentice, again, every day is different and that’s what makes it interesting. One of my tasks is to produce a budget Vs actual report for contract logistics during mid-month but based on the previous month, send to head of Finance on the contract logistics side. As well as our regular monthly and weekly reports, we also have some tasks that are more random, so there is a good variety of tasks in my working week.
I finished my last apprenticeship in October, and I am starting my next one in July. 20% of my time is dedicated to college where I am doing my CIMA Level 7. With studying alongside work, I have to plan my time effectively.
What lead you to start your journey in Yusen and how did you get to your current position?
I was originally going to 6th form and working in Morrisons part-time. I did a bit of work experience with my sister in accountancy, and I found I really enjoyed it. So, from there I started as a Business Administration Apprentice. I then went on to do my AAT qualification while working and gaining experience as well as earning a wage at the same time. The CIMA Level 7 that I am currently studying as part of my apprenticeship, is the equivalent of gaining a Masters.
How did you get into logistics in the first place?
To be honest, I didn’t specifically target logistics, it was an opportunity that I found, and I went for it. It was a surprise just how supportive Yusen Logistics were to me and the future opportunities that the company offers.
What would say to a person considering an apprenticeship in logistics at Yusen?
Do it! Even if do start something and you find it’s not quite the right direction for you, there are a variety of opportunities with the business.
Why would you recommend an apprenticeship at Yusen?
It’s really valuable to have the opportunity to gain real world experience and get a decent qualification whilst also earning a salary. I have had a lot of opportunities in my apprenticeship and have had a lot of support. We have 6 monthly apprentice meetings and have built a network with each other, which is really helpful and supportive.
Prab Bahra
Quality & Compliance Manager • Healthcare
What is your role in Yusen Logistics?
I am a Quality & Compliance Manager (Healthcare) based between the Marston Gate and Grange Park 3 sites.
I started in September 2020 as a Compliance Advisor and logistics was something I had no knowledge of, but I was excited to take on a new challenge. In May 2021, I was promoted to a Compliance Supervisor role with 5 direct reports. Our team didn’t have a Quality Manager, which enabled me to take on more duties such as customer interactions. A consultant in our team helped me to develop and gave me insights which enabled me to become more hands on. I progressed to the role as Quality Manager and following a recent restructure, I applied for the Quality and Compliance Manager role. In this role I am involved in both the Healthcare transport and the warehousing side from a quality perspective.
Take us through your typical day.
There is no typical day in logistics! I have scheduled customer support meetings and internal meetings as well as reviewing documentation and reviewing current ways of working - I am looking at making everything uniform.
Being a good manager and being present for my team is important to me and I have weekly team meetings, so that my team are informed with any changes or general information happening within the business.
My role has really developed and there is no typical day, but I enjoy every bit of it!
How did you end up in logistics?
I was made redundant during the COVID period and I decided to apply for a role that mentioned complaints and root cause analysis methodology, which is something I had experience in, though I did not come from a logistics background.
I have found that logistics is a complex industry, but do not let that scare you. There are a lot of things to learn, it’s a whole new world.
What would you say to a person considering a career in logistics?
Do it! Whether you start from the bottom, middle or even the top, there is a lot to learn. There is not one set career path, there are endless opportunities.
Being a young woman of colour and in a managerial position is very empowering. Healthcare logistics has its own complexities, but I really enjoy the challenge and it would take a lot for me to leave this industry.