David Cook

Operations leader with 25 years' experience, including service in the British Army, building high-performing teams and turning around complex, high-volume operations across logistics, supply chain and automotive sectors. Track record of cutting cost, lifting efficiency and restoring control across people, process and compliance in fast-paced, regulated environments. Currently accountable for the end-to-end operation of Europe's largest online vehicle auction site, leading an 80-strong team through more than 2,000 daily vehicle movements.

Senior Operations Manager - BCA

(2023-08 - 2026-07)

Europe's largest online vehicle auction platform. Own end-to-end operational management of over 2,000 daily vehicle movements, leading yard operations, logistics flow, compliance and an 80-strong team, including 10 direct reports, in a highly regulated, high-volume environment.

• Cut salary costs by £200k through workforce optimisation and efficiency measures, while maintaining KPI performance.
• Lifted operational efficiency by 30% by redesigning and executing process improvements across the site.
• Acted as operational troubleshooter, diagnosing root causes of performance, cost and process issues under pressure.
• Held full accountability for health, safety and compliance standards across the site.
• Chaired management meetings, operational reviews and performance planning sessions.
• Led incident and disciplinary investigations to resolution.

Head of Trade Logistics & Transport - EES Group

(2022-06 - 2023-07)

Energy-efficiency products business. Led logistics and transport operations for a fast-paced energy-efficiency business, with accountability for £10m of stock and warehouse and transport compliance. Introduced lean processes and change management strategies to lift operational effectiveness.

• Reduced transport costs by over £100k a year through improved forecasting and route planning.
• Cut third-party warehousing spend from £85k to £5k by consolidating the warehouse and analysing storage and sales data.
• Negotiated overseas supplier contracts, saving £100k+ a year and streamlining international import logistics.
• Recovered £25k by troubleshooting and resolving an obsolete stock issue.
• Coordinated ISO 9001 quality reviews, ran internal compliance audits. Coached staff on procedures that cut waste.
• Planned and managed inventory audits to maximise warehouse capacity and improve demand forecasting.
• Engaged senior stakeholders to keep company-wide KPI targets on track.
• Delivered 1-2-1 performance reviews across the team, identifying development needs against individual KPIs.

Operations General Manager - DHL

(2019-06 - 2022-06)

Global supply chain / FMCG operation. Led all operational management functions for a global supply chain business within an FMCG account, managing 25 colleagues across more than 4,500 pallet spaces and holding SLA and KPI targets, health & safety, compliance and cost reduction to account.

• Partnered with the Managing Director on strategic direction for growth and performance; hosted town halls to share business updates with all colleagues.
• Presented performance, risk and opportunity reviews to senior leadership and the board of directors.
• Managed client relationships, keeping projects on track and compliant while monitoring performance against KPIs.
• Chaired monthly health & safety committee meetings covering business continuity, incident investigation, site improvement and risk assessment.
• Ran monthly management appraisals, reviewing performance and coaching for improvement.
• Reviewed weekly financial reports including pay & absence, led forecast-versus-actual reviews to flag risk & opportunity.
• Delivered monthly business metrics presentations to clients and leadership using Power BI management reporting tools.
• Launched a monthly recognition scheme and employee engagement groups to build career pathways; served as lead advisor for UK South on diversity and inclusion.
• Worked with managers to implement strategies that lifted efficiency & performance against company KPI targets.
• Chaired regular stakeholder conferences to drive progression, productivity and problem-solving.

Senior Logistics & Supply Chain Roles - British Army – Royal Logistic Corps - UK and overseas operations

(1997-05 - 2019-05)

22-year military career. Progressed through logistics, procurement, inventory-control and operational leadership appointments in demanding, security-sensitive environments. Developed disciplined planning, people leadership and compliance capabilities transferable to commercial operations.

• Led and developed operational teams through structured training, coaching, task allocation and performance management.
• Managed procurement and purchasing activity including overseas support in Kenya and coordination with internal and external stakeholders.
• Maintained accountability for high-value and controlled equipment including stock checks, audit readiness and secure handling procedures.
• Planned resources and logistics support for time-critical activity in regulated and operationally demanding settings.

European Master Logistician Certificate - Logistics - Swansea University

Level 6 Advanced Diploma in Logistics and Transport - Logistics and Transport - Swansea University

Level 5 Certificate in Logistics & Supply Chain Operations - Logistics & Supply Chain Operations

Level 5 Certificate in Management and Leadership - Management and Leadership