Supply Manager jobs
Demand can be an unpredictable beast, and taming it is the holy grail of any manufacturing operation. In most cases there will be a reliable background demand, relatively predictable seasonal demands, plannable increases following sales and marketing campaigns and finally the almost random element of events that take manufacturers by surprise. The reason this can all be a problem is that materials cannot be conjured up from nowhere to meet demand – they need to be sourced, and a shock to the manufacturer’s system will probably also be a shock to the supplier’s when the order comes in.
This is why supply needs to be given a good deal of attention and have a dedicated team ensuring its constant activity. The supply manager will oversee a team of purchasers and analysts who will be on a never-ending mission to reconcile current stock levels with forecasted demand. Under the manager’s instruction, they will be seeking out the best deals from suppliers and putting in orders in a timely manner to ensure delivery.
For the manager’s part, he or she will be in regular contact with the sales and marketing teams, the shop floor, senior management and the suppliers themselves to keep the factory supplied with the raw materials needed for their processes.
The skills required
The supply manager will first and foremost need people management and communication skills. They will be dealing with a diverse set of stakeholders from boardroom to factory floor, sales and marketing to suppliers. The information shared must be precise, accurate and timely if the manufacturing is to take place in an efficient and customer-friendly way.
Organisational skills are also vital in the supply manager. The tangle of demands from higher up the chain has to be reconciled with the capabilities of the suppliers, and much work will be done planning deliveries so that they arrive with the minimum of cost in terms of procurement and storage.
Supply Manager Jobs in Cannock
Cannock is one the constituent parts of Cannock chase in southern Staffordshire, a district with a population of around 100,000. The town is more strongly connected with the cities of Birmingham and Wolverhampton to the south and south west respectively, however, although Stafford is just 9 miles (14 km) to the north. Cannock is connected to the rest of the country via the M6 (and the M6 Toll, which passes directly to its south) and the M54 can be joined just to the south west as it heads westwards towards Shrewsbury.
Like much of the Black Country, Cannock went through a period of massive growth during the Industrial Revolution, with the area being best known for its coal mines which helped fuel the industry going on to the south. However the decline followed the same pattern, and unusually, Cannock’s de-industrialisation was accompanied by a falling population rather than an effort to diversify. The town is now an averagely built-up town with several areas of woodland, parks and golf courses dotted around. There is light industry to the south, but generally speaking Cannock is a commuter town.
Though Cannock is not large in itself, it is located close to three large concentrations of population, and this means that anyone looking for Supply Manager work might do well to cast their net a little further afield, perhaps to Birmingham, Wolverhampton or Stafford, or perhaps even Stoke or Derby. That said, all towns have logistics and supply chain needs, so there’s no reason why something local might come up.
Popular locations
Cast UK’s supply chain opportunities
People approach Cast UK for a number of reasons, whether seeking more job fulfilment or simply relocating with the family, so it’s good to know that we always have the complete range of positions available nationwide. We are a growing force in logistics, procurement and supply chain recruitment, partly because these are the only sectors we deal with. Our founder members and consultants all have backgrounds in these jobs, so we know what employers and candidates are looking for in their staff and careers respectively. Thanks to this focus, many employers come to us first to create a candidate shortlist because they know we’ll deliver the best people to them. 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 best position for you.
To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Supply Manager for your business or find you a job as a Supply Manager then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
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