Rob McCutcheon

A very experienced and successful Shipping & Logistics Manager with combined sales & operational skills. Has a sustained record of achievement, thriving on the consultative sell, establishing long term and profitable customer & supplier relationships. Extensive industry knowledge and contacts. Skilled and proven success in National Sales, Key Account Management, Regional Office Operational Management & Customer Services, and Route Development  (USA, Far East and African Market Specialist). 

CAREER HISTORY: 

April 2012 to October 2025 - Logistics Manager, FW Medical Ltd, Glasgow 

A challenging, hands-on & diverse role, working closely with the Director / Owner on a day-to-day basis. Instrumental in the expansion of the business. This two team office increased annual turnover to £1.5 million in 2015, increasing to £5 million in 2022 (now with 5 employees). Involved in all aspects of this very profitable Consumer Healthcare Product business, supporting the Vaxol & Smart Omega export brands, and Silicol Gel, the import brand sold in Boots, Superdrug, Holland & Barrett, Tesco, Amazon and Sainsburys. Focus on the East European & Scandinavian markets.  

Responsibilities : 

• Freight procurement – negotiating & booking international freight. 
• Negotiating & liaising with credit insurance broker. 
• Working closely with Silicol GmbH, manufacturer of Silicol Gel, to plan and forecast the production & deliveries to a 3rd party warehouse in Northampton UK.  
• Stock & Inventory control for Silicol Gel, with regular pricing and service reviews & negotiations.   
• UK Warehousing & Distribution of Silicol Gel to major UK retailers. Ensuring we adhere to each customer’s unique supplier manual requirements.  
• Liaising with international distributors to establish forecasts & secure orders. 
• Placing all purchase orders with our UK-based contract manufacturers and bulk suppliers. 
• Regular dialogue with Chamber of Commerce on documentary issues (Certificates of Origin & EUR1’s). 
• Regular contact with UK Govt. Agency APHA & Inspecting Veterinarians (Amivet Ltd) to secure Certificates for fish oil exports to Ukraine & Kazakhstan.  
• Attending UK & European Trade Shows & Exhibitions to promote Silicol Gel. 
• Responsibility for all invoicing & purchase orders. 
• Frequent contact with both Distributors and appointed Artwork Agency to create, amend & approve all product packaging. 
• Hosting annual Distributor of the Year delegations to Scotland and planning itinerary and tours.   

This role has provided an invaluable insight into the demands faced by an expanding and profitable company involved in international trade.

  July 2010 to February 2011 - Business Development Manager, DSV Air & Sea Ltd, Glasgow 

Responsibilities: 

• Reported to Branch Manager of Air & Sea Division. 
• Assisted Ocean Manager in reviewing rate agreements and service levels with incumbent carriers, and propose alternatives when necessary. Increased number of shipping lines and options utilised. 

January 2010 to July 2010 UK Export Sales Manager, Delmas (CMA CGM UK Shipping Ltd) 

Responsibilities: 

• Reported to GM of Delmas UK Agency and MD of CMA CGM UK Shipping Ltd based in Liverpool.
• Responsible for generating export sales and customer retention for the Delmas shipping line on the niche West & East Africa trade lanes.  
• Monthly Reporting to Delmas HQ in Le Havre on market conditions, vessel utilisation, competition  activity and sales prospects. 

Declined a request to relocate to Liverpool office and accepted a new role which enabled me to remain in Scotland.  

2007 to August 2009 Manager (Scotland), OOCL UK Ltd 

Responsibilities: 

• Senior Representative in Scotland for Hong Kong-based shipping line. 
• Reported to General Manager of UK Sales. 
• Glasgow Office Management. Ensured excellent customer service levels were maintained.  
• Identified, secured and retained new business in line with the UK Region’s business plans. 

Due to the global economic downturn, with OOCL incurring a loss of over $230 million for the first 6 months of 2009, this combined management and sales role was made redundant.  

2003 – 2007 UK Sales Manager, ICL Agencies (UK) Ltd, Liverpool 

Responsibilities: 

• UK Agent for Independent Container Line (ICL) – niche carrier on Transatlantic. 
• Reported to European Sales Director based in Antwerp. Quarterly trips to this office. 
• Launched new ‘LCL’ service. Only shipping line consolidator ex UK to USA.   
• Extensive UK travel and customer entertainment. 

2002 – 2003 Area Account Manager, OOCL (UK) Ltd 

Responsibilities: 

• Responsible for securing and maintaining both import and export customers in the South of Scotland, Cumbria, North East of England, and North Yorkshire.  

1999 - 2002 National Sales Manager (UK & Ireland), MOL 

Responsibilities: 

• Reported to UK GM. Responsible for a Sales Support Manager, 6 Area Sales Managers and 5 Inside Sales Coordinators.
• Dedicated Key Account Manager for high volume contract of electronics into NE England which required regular liaison with Tyne Logistics Co Ltd (MOL joint venture) & Rotterdam transhipment team.  

1994 - 1999 Area Manager, Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL), Glasgow 

1991 - 1994 Sales Executive, Maersk Line, Leeds 

1989 - 1991 Graduate Management Trainee, The Maersk Company Ltd / Maersk / AP Moller Group

SKILLS & SYSTEMS KNOWLEDGE/FAMILIARITY:

Accounting - Xero / Iris OpenBooks, CRM - Salesforce.com,  Amazon Vendor, Seller & Carrier Central, Tesco TIMS & Trading Grid, Transporeon & Mercareon systems, Boots OpenText Trading Grid Online, essCert (for online export documentation applications from Chamber of Commerce), Sainsburys True Commerce. 

EDUCATION: 

University of St Andrews (1984–1988) - MA (Hons) Modern History. 

Loretto School, Musselburgh, Edinburgh (1978–1983).