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 Milton Keynes
Situated in Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes is a new town that was designated in 1967. At the time, it was selected due to its more-or-less equal distance from Birmingham, London, Leicester, Cambridge and Oxford.
Before it was a new town, however, Milton Keynes was a village - and one with an intriguing history. Early settlements in the area date back to the Iron Age, while other inhabitants over the centuries included Romans, Normans and the Anglo-Saxons.
Today, Milton Keynes comprises a number of communities. Bletchley, for instance was an important location during the second world war - it was home to the Government Code and Cypher School, where Alan Turing (often called the father of computer science) helped to crack the Enigma code. Meanwhile, Bradwell Abbey was a Benedictine Priory and was an economic hub prior to the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
For anyone seeking Supply Manager opportunities, there are a number of big names that call the region home. These include The Open University, Abbey National, Buckingham Foods and Argos. Coca-Cola has a large manufacturing site in Milton Keynes, producing Capri-Sun and Monster Energy products, as well as bulk products for distribution to companies like McDonald's.
In addition, organisations that promote sustainable energy - such as the National Energy Foundation and the National Home Energy Rating Scheme are located in Knowlhill, along with the National House Building Council, a number of law firms, graphics design companies and warehousing facilities.
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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