Rob Cottrell

I work closely with our clients to deliver meaningful improvements to their supply chains

I joined Hatmill in 2017 after 4 years’ of supply chain experience with Morrisons and latterly Wincanton. I started on Morrisons logistics graduate scheme with placements in ambient and fresh warehouses, transport, retail and central projects. This experience; gained across multiple UK sites was invaluable and gave me a broad end-to-end view of the challenges in a time-critical supply chain. Following completion of the scheme I then progressed into a transport management role with responsibility for 32 drivers. The achievements I’m proudest of from my time with Morrisons are:

• Leading the change management workstream in the migration of an existing in-house produce warehouse to a 3PL managed multi-temperature warehouse
• Identifying best practice across a network-wide operation, optimising existing processes and creating standard operating procedures to reflect the changes
• Design and implementation of a driver steering group which was highlighted as a key influence in record department engagement scores
• Managing teams of warehouse operatives and drivers during record peak periods accompanied by significant business change

After 3 years with Morrisons, I made the switch to Wincanton, working as a transport manager for a Tesco contract. The experience and challenges of working for a 3PL adding to my experience with Morrisons. The highlights of my time with Wincanton were:

• Completing my international and national transport managers CPC
• Being enrolled onto the company “Get Ahead” scheme for future leaders
• Covering in the absence of the transport GM at senior leadership meetings

When the opportunity to join Hatmill arose, it excited me and since joining I have had the opportunity to do the sort of work I love. My experience to date includes:

• Project managing the concept design, tender selection, business case sign-off and implementation of a 32m high automated storage and retrieval system freezer build for a leading food-to-go retailer
• Strategy development and implementation of a warehouse layout change for a fast-growing online beauty retailer resulting in a 20% increase in productivity
• Analysis of a leading online motorcycle parts operation to create a strategy to support continued growth and improve health & safety

Driven by a desire for continuous improvement, I enjoy working closely with our clients to deliver solutions that exceed their expectations.