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 Chesterfield
Situated 9 miles (15 km) south of Sheffield, the Derbyshire town of Chesterfield has more influence from this city than it does with Derby, its county capital, 21 miles (35 km) to the south. To the east of the town the M1 passes on its Nottingham to Sheffield stretch, and the west of Derby is taken up with 3 miles (5 km) of agricultural land before the start of the Peak District National Park. Chesterfield is connected to Derby, Leicester, Rotherham and Sheffield by rail. Its current population of around 100,000 makes it the most populous town in Derbyshire, second in size only to the city of Derby.
Historically a market town, Chesterfield became associated with coal mining after the discovery of a large seam in the 19th century, when the town’s population grew rapidly. The coal was discovered during the excavation of a tunnel for George Stephenson’s Derby to Leeds railway line. During construction, Stephenson moved to Chesterfield, and it was in the town that he was to end his days, aged 67. A statue of Stephenson stands outside Chesterfield railway station. The engineering legacy continued until recently, however. Chesterfield-based Markham & Co. made the machines that excavated the Channel Tunnel, among other tunnels.
Much of the heavy industry has now left Chesterfield, and in many ways the town has returned to its Market roots, although there is understandably a much larger service and local government sector now. Occasionally, Supply Manager positions are filled in Chesterfield, but more so in the surrounding area, particularly Sheffield.
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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