M, P and L Manager jobs
Materials, planning and logistics (MP&L) is the blanket name for the activities that make up the supply chain, and is often thought of as the “big picture” approach as opposed to focusing in on specific elements of the chain. The idea is that efficiency will be achieved because it is often the interactions between the supplied parties that causes snarl-ups. Having materials delivered too early or in too great a quantity, for example, can cause stockpiling problems; even though it is probably more efficient to deliver in greater bulk, any cost benefits can be lost in the storage surplus.
The M, P and L manager will be in charge of a supply chain team whose job will be to keep the whole process running smoothly, anticipate and act on potential problems, achieve ever greater efficiency and ultimately keep the customers happy.
As manager, you will be assigning team members to certain jobs which will largely be centred on gathering performance data and being the company’s points of contact for their relevant accounts. While their information will be focused, you as manager will be in charge of the big picture, working out ways of making the system better, alongside analysts and other managers.
The skills required
As with any management post, being able to deal with people will be a key skill. Being receptive to suggestions as well as taking instructions from above will help keep the office running smoothly and harmoniously. However, knowing when to apply your authority and expertise to a given situation will help maintain the unified objectives of the supply chain in place.
There will be a good deal of data gathering, analysis and manipulation in the role. A good head for mathematics will stand you in good stead, but perhaps more importantly, a strong aptitude for IT applications will be required, as that will be the usual way of handling data and making forecasts. Although existing IT experience will be useful, you may find that the new employer uses its own bespoke system, in which case an ability to pick up software solutions quickly will be helpful.
M P and L Manager Jobs in Swansea
Once known informally as Copperopolis because of its fame as a region for smelting Cornish copper, Swansea has transformed itself from a typical Industrial Revolution city to a modern, fashionable and affluent part of Wales. Much of its employment is now in the service industries, most notably financial services, with retail also contributing. However its two most famous exports are probably the poet Dylan Thomas and Hollywood star Catherine Zeta-Jones!
Also like many industrial towns and cities across the UK, it bore the brunt of German air raids in the Second World War, and has been heavily developed in the post-war period. A key development came in 1981, when Swansea Enterprise Park became the UK’s first enterprise zone. With excellent transport connections in the shape of the A4067, A4217 and A48 and the South Wales Mainline, the zone continues to attract businesses, which means the logistics element is regularly on the lookout for M P and L Manager positions to be filled.
Some of the larger employers on the Swansea Enterprise Park are beauty product manufactuer Alberto-Culver, industrial carbon and ceramics company Morgan Crucible, packaging firm Viskase, The Land Registry and Welsh Water.
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Cast UK’s supply chain opportunities
Applicants approach Cast UK for many reasons. They might be seeking more job fulfilment, they could have been made redundant or they might simply be relocating for family reasons, so it’s good to know that we always have the complete range of positions available nationwide. Please see what’s available in your region and if you’ve seen something you’re interested in, do get in touch – whether it’s today or tomorrow, we might have the ideal position for you.
Cast UK’s founder members and consultants all come from the logistics, procurement and supply chain sectors, so we know what employers and candidates are looking for in their staff and careers respectively. Cast UK is a growing force in the UK recruitment industry, mainly because these are the only sectors we deal with. That means that many employers often come to us first to create a candidate shortlist because they know we’re tightly focused on delivering the best people to them.
To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a M, P & L Manager for your business or find you a job as a M, P & L Manager then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
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