The scoreboard, and what is not on it. The hard targets, how often each is actually
looked at, and the quiet signals that never reach a dashboard.
Freight Cost as % of Revenue (or COGS)
The total cost of transportation relative to our sales revenue or cost of goods sold.
Target · Reduce from 4.5% to 4.2% over 12 months If our freight spend is £4.5M on £100M revenue, we're at 4.5%. Your goal is to get that down to £4.2M, saving £300K.
Transportation Budget Adherence
How well you manage the annual transportation budget, including line haul, fuel surcharges, and accessorials.
Target · Within +/- 2% of approved annual budget (£2M-£10M+) If the annual budget is £5M, staying between £4.9M and £5.1M is hitting the target. Anything outside means explaining why to the CFO.
Network Savings Initiatives
The actual realised savings from strategic projects like mode shifts, route optimisation, carrier renegotiations, or technology deployments.
Target · Achieve £1.5M in documented savings annually Implementing a new TMS that reduces empty miles by 5% and saves £750K, plus renegotiating a major carrier contract for another £750K, hits this target.
On-Time Delivery (OTD) Performance
The percentage of shipments delivered on or before the promised date to our customers.
Target · Maintain >98% OTD for critical lanes, >95% overall If we ship 1,000 orders in a month, and 960 arrive on time, that's 96% OTD. You'll need to dig into the 40 misses.
Strategic Influence & Collaboration
Your ability to shape broader supply chain and business strategy through effective collaboration and compelling arguments.
- You're regularly invited to C-suite planning sessions, your input is sought on major business decisions (e.g., new factory locations, product launches), and other department heads actively seek your advice on logistics challenges. You're seen as a trusted advisor, not just a service provider.
Team Development & Leadership
The growth and effectiveness of your direct reports and the wider transportation team.
- Retention rates for your team are strong, you have a clear succession plan for key roles, and your managers are consistently hitting their performance targets. You're known for developing talent and fostering a positive, high-performing culture. We'll see this in 360-degree feedback and talent reviews.
Risk Mitigation & Resilience
How effectively you identify, assess, and mitigate risks within the transportation network, ensuring business continuity during disruptions.
- You've got robust contingency plans for major disruptions (e.g., port strikes, severe weather), and you're able to adapt quickly without significant business impact. Post-incident reviews show proactive measures were in place, and recovery times are consistently improving. Your plans are stress-tested regularly.
Innovation & Technology Adoption
Your drive to explore, pilot, and implement new technologies and processes that enhance transportation efficiency and effectiveness.
- You're bringing forward well-researched proposals for new TMS features, real-time visibility platforms, or AI tools. Pilots are run efficiently, and successful initiatives are scaled across the business, showing clear ROI. You're not just buying tech
- you're integrating it to solve real problems.
