Nowakowski Transport Sp. z o.o. - 03/2017 - 03/2019

Responsibilities:

• financial verification of new and current customers
• analysis of the efficiency of the fleet and employees
• internal employee training
• planning and delegating tasks to employees
• recruitment of employees
• reporting to the Management Board
• service to contractors
• cooperation in the creation and implementation of the IFS Logistics quality system, and DPD (Good Distribution Practices)
• systems: TMS MarcosBis, Cofface Icon, Bisnode D&B Credit.

Refrigerated Transport Department Manager - Between Efficiency and Quality

Managing a refrigerated transport department is like conducting an orchestra - each instrument must play perfectly, and the slightest inharmony can ruin the entire composition. After 15 years in the industry, I want to share with you what everyday work in this position looks like.

Financial Risk Management

One ​​of the key aspects of my job is the financial verification of contractors. In times of economic instability, this task becomes particularly important:

New clients:

• Analysis of financial statements
• Verification in debtor databases
• Checking payment history
• Assessing business stability
• Setting limits credit

Current contractors:

• Monitoring of timeliness of payments
• Periodic verification of financial standing
• Updating of terms of cooperation
• Receivables management

Efficiency as a priority

Efficiency analysis is not just about numbers - it's the art of drawing the right conclusions:

Fleet:

• Fuel consumption monitoring
• Service cost analysis
• Cargo space utilization assessment
• Planning fleet renewal
• Route optimization

Employees:

• Analysis of freight forwarder performance
• Monitoring drivers' working time
• Customer service quality assessment
• Identification of areas for training

Team Development

Training is an investment in the future of the company. I organize and conduct:

1. Introductory training:
   • Company procedures
   • Quality systems
   • IT systems support
2. Specialist training:
   • Operation of refrigeration units
   • ADR regulations
   • Transport documentation
3. Development of soft skills:
   • Client communication
   • Time management
   • Stress management

Team management

Planning and delegating:

• Creating work schedules
• Assigning tasks according to competencies
• Setting priorities
• Monitoring goal achievement
• Resolving conflicts

Recruitment:

• Defining job requirements
• Conducting job interviews
• Introducing new employees
• Periodic assessment
• Planning career paths

Quality systems - the foundation of action

Implementing and maintaining IFS systems Logistics and DPD is one of the biggest challenges:

IFS Logistics:

• Development of procedures
• Employee training
• Compliance monitoring
• Preparation for audits
• Document management

DPD (Good Distribution Practices):

• Development of transport and storage standards
• Control of temperature conditions throughout the supply chain
• Validation of transport processes
• Qualification of suppliers and subcontractors
• Management of transport documentation
• Procedures for emergencies emergency
• DPD staff training
• Monitoring and recording conditions during transport
• Verification of the effectiveness of refrigeration systems
• Periodic reviews and updates of procedures

Reporting and analytics

I am preparing for the Management Board:

• Monthly performance reports
• Financial analyses
• Development forecasts
• Optimization proposals
• Investment plans

Biggest challenges

1. Change management
   • Implementation of new technologies
   • Changing procedures
   • Adaptation to new regulations
2. Balance
   • Between quality and efficiency
   • Between costs and development
   • Between requirements and possibilities
3. Time pressure
   • Immediate decisions
   • Crises requiring response
   • Reporting deadlines

Keys to Success

1. Strategic Planning
   • Long-Term Development Vision
   • Flexible Approach to Change
   • Building Relationships with clients
2. Team management
   • Employee motivation
   • Competence development
   • Building organizational culture
3. Process control
   • Keyboard monitoring
   • Quality systems
   • Cost optimization

The future of the industry

The refrigerated transport industry faces many challenges:

• Electromobility
• Challenges of autonomous vehicles
• Ecology and sustainability
• Increasing quality requirements
• Cost pressure
• New technologies

Tips for future managers

1. Develop competencies:
   • Project management
   • Financial analysis
   • Quality systems
2. Invest in relationships:
   • With employees
   • With customers
   • With suppliers
3. Stay up to date:
   • New technologies
   • Legal changes
   • Trends market

The role of a refrigerated transport manager requires a combination of many competencies - from people management, through financial analysis, to knowledge of quality systems. This is a demanding job, but it gives great satisfaction from implementing complex projects and developing the team.

The key to success is finding a balance between different aspects of the business and continuous improvement of processes. In a dynamically changing world, the ability to adapt and predict change is becoming increasingly important.