Roles and responsibilities of the construction logistics manager

The construction logistic manager’s role can be described under the following headings: 

Planning/programming

• Plan site set-up to move labour, plant, and materials around site efficiently (eg hoarding, gates, site accommodation, cranes, hoists, security, temporary services, material delivery and waste management strategy, catering).
• Plan internal and external logistics routes through the project phases focusing on separation of vehicles, machinery and people. Lay down areas and offloading points.
• Pre-plan the usage of key assets such as hoists to ensure planned assets meet the needs of the program.

Mobilisation

• Create a secure site
• Responsible for all traffic management internally and externally, weighbridges and road network cleanliness.
• Manage installation of site accommodation and manage these facilities
• Create operational procedures and method statements
• Organise site inductions, ensure induction records are securely stored.
• Create a schedule of logistics meetings and ensure logistics is represented at site meetings.

Supply chain management

• Describe the characteristics of the site, including site access /egress, storage capacity and arrangement by programme, labour, hoists, cranes etc
• Use the description to produce daily, weekly and long term movements plans
• Understand procurement arrangements
• Control materials in and out of site.
• Plan and integrate with key contractors to meet the needs of the planned programme and de-confliction of on site space and time where appropriate.
• Assist in the evaluation of potential logistic suppliers and appropriate delivery management booking systems.
• Be capable of managing sub-contractors to deliver their package of goods or services
• Variation control and early communication of foreseeable change
• Commercial/contract basic understanding
• Utilise business management system procedures.
• Record keeping and key performance indicator (KPI) production.

Programme support

• Embrace a delivery-focussed culture.
• Organise resources to enable contract deadlines to be achieved.
• Organise resources to work additional hours as required to meet project deadlines (eg extended site hours if required by client).
• Responsible for ensuring logistics activities are not a constraining factor on the program, where deemed unavoidable ensuring the issues are communicated in order that de-confliction can occur.

Safety

• Ensuring the organisation’s safety policies are followed
• Creating of site-specific safety manual, ensure first aid cover and equipment is present
• Responsible for ensuring that material movement to and from the workface does not cause damage to the works, the workforce or the public.
• Complete safety inspections to company and client standards
• Ensure team has safety training to the company and client’s standard programme.
• Create appropriate logistics awareness training and deliver to site workforce via presentation/TBTs as required.
• Manage and maintain visitor PPE stocks to an agreed number.
• Produce method statements, risk assessments ensure lifting plans are produced.
• Safeguard vulnerable road users from traffic and transport created by the site.

Fire

• Create, maintain and update the Site Emergency Plan (including the Site Fire Plan) reporting to the appointed site fire officer.
• Maintain fire points and all common life saving equipment.

Site communications

• Create a system to communicate information around the site eg noticeboards, email distribution lists, monitor displays, web pages.
• Update site safety performance and key project indicators to pre-agreed frequency.
• Ensure local hospital data is regularly updated, communicated and routes are checked.
• Manage the ‘near miss’ returns and project suggestion box. Collate and issue to management team.

Signage

• Define and organise all site signage to the agreed corporate standard.
• Ensure that signage and signage symbols used are internationally recognised.
• Ensure additional languages are used in signage to ensure messages are understood.

Delivery management

• Select a delivery management technique, process and system.
• Provide logistics instruction to all project suppliers.
• Manage all movements to and from site and keeping associated records.
• Enforce the full use of the organisation's delivery management system.
• Plan to and maximise load capacity on all vehicles arriving at site were possible, ensure suppliers use appropriate vehicles for delivery.
• Ensure that drivers and vehicles meet the required standards before being accepted to site.

Vehicles, plant, equipment and vertical transport

• Specifying and managing plant and equipment.
• Maintain an asset register of all equipment.
• Ensure vehicles and plant are operated safely by trained personnel and in a legally compliant manner
• Ensure all equipment is inspected, maintained and tested to agreed frequencies
• Have a knowledge of hoists and cranes, and create and agree booking system to manage their capacity.

Security

• Manage guarding resource including rotas and contingency.
• Ensure compliance with the Private Security Industry Act (2001).
• Ensure adequate training has been provided and certification is valid.
• Actively police compliance with site rules.

Workforce

• Be capable of managing a team of operatives, including taking any necessary disciplinary action.
• Ensure supervisors provide and record ‘Tool Box Talks’ to workforce.
• Understand the roles of standard logistics operatives: labourer, waste operative, carpenter, hoist driver, handyman, traffic marshal, SIA guard.
• Ensure operatives are assured of their roles and responsibilities.
• Ensure competencies of own team are demonstrable.
• Recruitment of operatives.

Environmental

• Complete environmental risk assessment.
• Create, maintain and regularly update the Site Waste Management Plan to ensure the safe and efficient removal of waste from the project.
• Update environmental reporting on site communications boards and other media.
• Ensure duty of care certificates from all contractors are kept as required by project director.
• Ensure Safety, Health and Environmental monitoring is completed.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR)

• Conduct at least one CSR activity per month (monthly).
• Produce a project newsletter

Desirable skills and competencies

• A track record of delivery within a construction management or logistics function (over the past 3 years) that has led to performance improvement e.g. cost reduction, process/service enhancements, innovation, winning work etc.
• Personal commitment to promoting a sustainable approach to logistic procurement and supply chain development.
• Excellent communication skills that build empathy and support, engage with individuals at all levels, influence, promote.
• Intellectual capacity to deal with complex logistics issues, and to implement logistics and supply chain vision, strategy and priorities. A driver of performance improvement.
• IT skills (eg Powerpoint, Visio, Word, Excel)
• An  inspirational manager that can get the best out of individuals and teams. Can build consensus, work in a matrix structure, deliver performance and outcomes, and drive the professional and personal development of team members.
• Manage suppliers: scaffolding, temporary electrics, plumbing, welfare and office accommodation.

Desirable qualities

• Professional/lead by example.
• Passion/can do attitude/constructive challenge.
• To hold a proven track record of integrity and ethical behaviours.
• Open to change/new ideas.
• Share information.
• Supportive.
• Customer focused.

Beneficial qualifications

• CSCS
• SMSTS / SSSTS
• Current full UK driving licence
• Recognised safety programme, qualified and up to date
• First Aid
• Lifting Supervisor Certification
• A suitable qualification in traffic management (eg Chapter 8 awareness)
• Institutional membership