Darren Cook
Kilmarnock,United Kingdom
Summary
Results-driven logistics and supply chain professional with expertise in logistics management, supply chain optimisation, and contract negotiation. Skilled in risk assessment and vendor relationship management, enhancing operational efficiency. Specialises in transport scheduling and team collaboration to improve client relations. Focused on optimising supply chain operations through strategic insights and effective project management.
Overview
1
1
Certification
25
25
years of professional experience
Work history
Logistics Business Project Manager
Far Logistics Glasgow
Paisley, Renfrewshire
2021.05 - 2026.07
- In my current role, I am based within a major client’s facility, assisting with their daily logistics requirements. This is an FMCG facility that produces aerosols for many major retailers, on a just-in-time basis. I cover their raw material imports and final product exports, which include collections of raw material from suppliers in various countries to their facility.
- Directed daily operations to achieve maximum efficiency and productivity.
- Negotiated rates and contracts with transportation and logistics providers with favourable outcomes.
- Delivered solutions to logistics problems while maintaining high levels of service within budgetary requirements.
- Coordinated with suppliers, customers, sales and manufacturing departments to ensure timely delivery of products customers.
- Recommend optimal transport modes, routes or frequency to reduce delivery times.
- Scheduled transportation of inbound and outbound goods to meet customer requirements.
- Assisted with continuous improvement initiatives by identifying inefficiencies and cost optimisation opportunities.
- Tracked inventory levels and optimised ordering strategies to meet availability needs whilst maintaining budget goals.
- Verified carrier compliance with company policies to ensure safe and timely deliveries. with company policies and procedures for product transit or delivery.
- Managed logistics operations, coordinating transportation, warehousing, and inventory control to optimise supply chain efficiency.
- Reviewed and approved export documentation, certifying accuracy and compliance with international standards.
- Negotiated freight rates with shipping companies, achieving cost savings for the company.
- Developed strong working relationships with colleagues across business at all levels to communicate transport department requirements and needs.
- Worked closely with sales team to manage customer expectations on product availability and delivery timings.
- Coordinated shipping schedules successfully resolving any conflicts or delays promptly.
European Logistics Manager
Urecycle Ltd
Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire
2018.09 - 2021.04
- Coordinated engineering teams to deliver specialist packaging materials on schedule.
- Collected damaged or defective safe batteries efficiently using agreed processes.
- Conducted traffic management risk assessments to identify hazards and mitigate issues.
- Managed collection schedules by assigning transport resources and completing paperwork.
- Coordinated forwarding with external contractors to improve delivery timelines.
- Dispatched transport personnel and vehicles to meet each collection request.
- Coordinated battery recycler collections across UK manufacturers using own vehicles.
- Ensured timely product delivery by overseeing logistics arrangements for recycling.
- Negotiated supplier terms to reduce costs within agreed procurement rules.
- Improved production scheduling through planning strategies for smoother operations.
- Managed team schedules to keep production lines running smoothly.
- Generated production operation schedules to maintain optimal workflow.
Freight and Warehouse Manager
Belmont Trading UK Ltd (Electronic Waste)
Kilwinning, North Ayrshire
2001.11 - 2018.04
- Managed daily warehouse operations for inventory control and on-time fulfilment.
- Led warehouse operative team to improve efficiency and streamline daily output.
- Optimised warehouse equipment maintenance and repairs to cut downtime and disruption.
- Coordinated loading and unloading of goods while following safety standards.
- Coordinated with suppliers and transport companies to improve logistics flow.
- Applied health and safety compliance protocols to meet regulatory standards.
- Oversaw truck loading and unloading using stock systems for processing accuracy.
- Managed day-to-day export and import bookings for air, road, and ocean freight.
- Booked and documented inbound and outbound deliveries with accurate service records.
- Built strong relationships with hauliers and suppliers to keep logistics running smoothly.
- Negotiated with shipping lines to secure competitive freight rates and optimise transport costs.
- Resolved customs or delivery issues quickly to minimise disruption to service levels.
- Implemented tracking systems to improve visibility and control across multimodal transport.
- Coordinated multiple teams to deliver seamless project completion.
- Maintained compliance with industry regulations for transport and logistics tasks.
- Managed warehouse operations to support optimal storage conditions for goods.
- Coordinated shipping schedules to resolve conflicts and delays promptly.
- Streamlined production processes by coordinating with cross-functional teams.
- Managed supplier relationships to improve delivery timescales and product quality.
- Organised logistics to ensure timely delivery of products.
- Managed risk within the supply chain effectively addressing any potential issues proactively.
- Conducted regular reviews of suppliers' performance, maintaining high standards across the board.
- Planned logistics across international boundaries to reliably meet delivery requirements.
Education
Scottish Qualifications Certificate - Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor
SQA
KilmarnockSkills
- Logistics management
- Supply chain optimization
- Contract negotiation
- Risk assessment
- Vendor relationship maintenance
- Resource scheduling
- Communication skills
- Transport scheduling
- Team collaboration
- Problem solving
- Client relationship management
- Time management
- Operational efficiency
- People management
- Flexibility
- Project management
Certification
- WAMITAB COTC - LEVEL 4 in Waste Management Operations - Managing Treatment of Hazardous Waste.
- WAMITAB COTC - LEVEL 4 in Waste Management Operations - Managing Transfer of Hazardous Waste
- Dangerous Goods by Road and Sea.
DRIVING LICENCE
- Category C
- Category B auto
- Category B+E
- Category B1
Timeline
Logistics Business Project Manager
Far Logistics Glasgow
2021.05 - 2026.07
European Logistics Manager
Urecycle Ltd
2018.09 - 2021.04
Freight and Warehouse Manager
Belmont Trading UK Ltd (Electronic Waste)
2001.11 - 2018.04
Scottish Qualifications Certificate - Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor
SQA