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 Harlow
During the post-war period as Britain was faced with rebuilding millions of shattered homes and re-housing their inhabitants, a radical solution was to build a series of new towns. Most cities of the UK have some form of new town within them or in their orbital range. Harlow in Essex was one such town. Situated 20 miles (33 km) north east of the centre of London, it was a grand project, with thousands of homes as well as industrial, shopping, entertainment and communications infrastructure being built around what was a village dating back at least to the Domesday Book.
Expansion was steady, taking place between the late 1950s and the 1970s, as jobs were created and the town became a reasonably attractive place to live. Although manufacturing was once a major industry in Harlow, it has since declined, and now the economy is largely service-based. The large factories have recently been demolished and smaller units for start-ups have been built with the hope of kickstarting a new tech sector. However the town is still home to some major employers, most notably GlaxoSmithKline and American defence firm Raytheon.
The town is well placed to serve London, situated as it is on the M11 that runs from the capital to Cambridge, and there are also good rail links to both cities. Stansted Airport is just 20 minutes up the motorway, too. With much regeneration going on in the town, it’s likely that the demand for Group Supply Chain Manager jobs will grow over the coming years. Keep checking back or get in touch if you’d like us to search the area for such positions.
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.
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