Logistics Manager

Location: Haag, St. Gallen, CH

Employment Type: Permanent About VAT Group

At VAT, we change the world with vacuum solutions. As the world’s leading supplier of high-performance vacuum valves, we have been driving innovation for more than 60 years. With over 3,200 employees worldwide, we operate from our headquarters in Haag, Switzerland, with manufacturing sites in Switzerland, Malaysia and Romania, as well as sales and service hubs around the world. We are guided by our passions integrity, teamwork, customer centricity, and innovation – always working together as #oneVAT.

Joining us means becoming part of a passionate, international team where your voice is heard, your ideas matter, and your career growth is supported.

Responsibilities:

Leadership & Team Management

• Provide functional and disciplinary leadership to Team Leaders within the assigned logistics area.
• Lead workforce planning activities, including staffing, recruitment, and resource allocation in line with budget targets.
• Set performance objectives, provide regular feedback, and conduct performance evaluations.
• Foster a high-performance culture through coaching, employee engagement, and talent development.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, safety standards, and operational procedures.

Operational Excellence

• Manage daily logistics operations to ensure smooth, efficient, and timely execution.
• Monitor, analyze, and optimize operational KPIs related to productivity, quality, and service performance.
• Act as Process Steward for the assigned logistics area, ensuring process compliance and continuous improvement.
• Lead and support projects focused on operational excellence, process optimization, and organizational development.
• Develop, maintain, and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and process documentation.

Quality & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as the key interface between Logistics and internal stakeholders, including Procurement, Supply Chain, Quality, and Production.
• Coordinate and resolve quality, material, and delivery-related issues and implement corrective actions when required.
• Ensure inventory accuracy through effective inventory management and oversight of physical inventory counts.
• Drive initiatives to improve service levels, operational quality, and customer satisfaction.

Performance, Safety & Compliance

• Take ownership of quality, productivity, and safety performance within the area of responsibility.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, internal standards, and audit expectations.
• Support strategic and operational planning activities to achieve short- and long-term business objectives.

Qualifications:

• Degree, apprenticeship, or professional qualification in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• Additional logistics certification (e.g., Logistics Specialist or equivalent) is highly desirable.
• Experience with logistics automation initiatives, such as automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), conveyor systems, automated guided vehicles (AGVs/AMRs), warehouse automation, or digital transformation projects within a logistics environment.
• Proven leadership experience in logistics, warehousing, or supply chain operations.
• Strong knowledge of warehouse management and ERP system, Microsoft Dynamics 365 F&O preferred
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with KPI reporting and performance analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to independently plan, manage, and execute projects.
• Professional proficiency in German and English.
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to motivate and develop teams.
• Excellent organizational and prioritization skills.
• Resilient and capable of performing in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Strong communication, stakeholder management, and conflict resolution skills.
• Results-oriented mindset with a continuous improvement focus.
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