Group Supply Chain Manager jobs
As companies grow, change, merge and separate, their needs and management structures change. When they become groups, the management requirements are diverse, as there will be the considerations of several individual businesses to deal with; the efficiency and profitability of each must be maximised from above, with a “big picture” approach.
The group supply chain manager will head up a team of managers, analysts, forecasters and planners who in turn will help to create strategies that will be delivered to the individual parts of the group to put into operation. While there might be the need for some micromanagement, this role will tend to be strategically focused, and will principally be a financial role. However it will also have human resources, legal and compliance duties to adhere to.
In some cases, however, especially when a group’s supply chains are heavily integrated with each other, the group supply chain manager will be in charge of an operation similar to that of a normal supply chain management operation. In these situations they could be more heavily involved with the suppliers and customers, and will treat the individual divisions as a whole, performing planning, warehousing, forecasting and logistics support. The nature of the job will largely depend on the size and nature of the business.
The skills required
Great communication and management skills will be vital elements in the group supply chain manager’s personality and training. They will be dealing with other managers and directors daily, receiving and transmitting targets, budget information and strategic plans, and will be expected to get them across clearly and unambiguously.
When the group supply chain manager has a more hands-on role within the supply chain, he or she must possess an analytical and methodical approach to work. Much of the calculations side of logistics planning will not be in the manager’s daily schedule, but a good knowledge of the IT solutions used will be useful, along with general IT skills such as the solutions found in the office environment. A good grasp of business acumen will be a key skill. The supply chain manager might have a good deal of autonomy and little contact with the board, so being able to treat the chain under his or her control as if it were a self-contained business will help with operations and budgeting.
Group Supply Chain Manager Jobs in Ashford
The Kent town of Ashford was traditionally a market town and stop-off point for London to Folkestone or Dover travellers. Although it has a moderately large population of around 65,000, it is by far the largest settlement for 20 miles in any direction, and remains an important shopping town in the region, especially now that it has a designer outlet to accompany its several shopping districts.
It is the railways that have played the largest part in Ashford’s history since the nineteenth century, however. The town served as an important hub for trains to London (50 miles, or 80 km, to the north west), Tonbridge, Hastings, Folkestone and Canterbury and this brought trade and population to the town. But Ashford’s link with the railways became international when it was made a stop on the Eurostar line to France in 1996. The town now has at least five distinct trading and industrial estates, some of which are located there mainly thanks to its excellent links with London and the Continent.
Ashford has always been a busy town but the Eurostar line coming to town has made it a key element in Britain’s transport infrastructure. Ashford is also well connected by road, with the M20/A20 that links Folkestone/Dover and London passing by Ashford’s eastern borders. This all adds up to a positive picture for anyone seeking Group Supply Chain Manager jobs in Ashford or the surrounding area.
Popular locations
Cast UK’s supply chain opportunities
Cast UK have jobs all over the country, so are well placed to find you work in wherever you are located or plan to locate. If you’re moving house, please see if there are any positions available in the area you’re moving to; and if you’re simply looking for more fulfilment in your working life, there could be an employer looking for the skills you have.
We were founded by logistics, procurement and supply chain specialists, and our consultants are all from these backgrounds too, so we have in-depth knowledge of what employers and candidates are looking for. Employers come to us to find candidates because they’re confident that we’ll help them find the most appropriate managers and executives.
Once we have your details, we’ll be able to start matching you with positions as soon as they arise, so do get in touch if you’re looking for a job in warehousing or logistics.
To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Group Supply Chain Manager for your business or find you a job as a Group Supply Chain Manager then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
Contact us