Head of Supply Chain jobs
The supply chain can be an extremely complex part of a company, involving everything from procurement, and manufacturing through to warehousing, logistics and distribution.
No matter what industry a company may be operating in, the head of supply chain is a key position that can play a big part in the overall success and profitability of the enterprise.
After all, they will likely be responsible for project planning, creating strategies and implementing policies to ensure that budgets are met, schedules are adhered to and products are delivered according to agreed quality standards.
Monitoring the market and analysing trends will be a big part of the role, as will making forecasts and taking steps to ensure the supply chain is properly prepared for any peaks or troughs in demand.
What’s more, the head of supply chain will also be tasked with identifying, driving and delivering consistent improvement within the company’s supply chain. This could mean finding time efficiencies, renegotiating contracts or selecting new suppliers.
The skills required
The head of supply chain is a senior role in any organisation, and as such candidates should have a proven track record in managing a team.
Communication skills are a must and you should be able to train, motivate and encourage a team to do the best work possible for the organisation.
An ability to build relationships, carry out negotiations and deal with problems is vital, while a strong customer focus, a credible and trustworthy demeanour and an ability to be proactive and decisive are desirable.
Head of Supply Chain 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 Head of Supply Chain 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.
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Find Head of Supply Chain positions with Cast UK
Here at Cast UK, we work hard to find the best talent for every vacancy. Our team of qualified recruitment consultants have worked in these types of jobs themselves, giving them an excellent understanding of what drives the industry and what makes the ideal candidate for each role.
So if you're ready to take your next step on the career ladder, look no further than Cast UK. To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Head of Supply Chain for your business or find you a job as a Head of Supply Chain then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
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