At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop the end-to-end supply chain for a growing food manufacturer.
- Company: Dynamic short-life food manufacturer with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and the chance to influence supply chain strategy.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team and drive improvements in efficiency and service.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while leading a high-performing team.
- Qualifications: Experience in supply chain management within fresh or perishable food sectors.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
I'm currently working with a growing short-life food manufacturer that is looking to appoint an experienced Head of Supply Chain to lead and develop its end-to-end supply chain operation. This is a high-impact role within a fast-paced manufacturing environment, where shelf life, service, availability, waste and cost are critical to success.
The Role
As one of the senior leadership team, you will take responsibility for the end-to-end supply chain, ensuring the business has the right products, materials and capacity available at the right time. You will lead teams across areas such as planning, procurement, purchasing, logistics and inventory, working closely with Operations, Commercial, Technical and Finance.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Leading and developing the end-to-end supply chain function
- Driving improvements across demand, supply and production planning
- Ensuring high levels of customer service and product availability
- Managing raw material and packaging availability within a short-life environment
- Optimising stock levels while minimising waste, obsolescence and cost
- Developing strong supplier relationships and improving supplier performance
- Improving forecasting, S&OP and supply chain visibility
- Working closely with manufacturing to optimise production capacity
- Managing logistics and distribution performance
- Identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, cost and service
- Developing supply chain strategy in line with the company's growth plans
- Leading, coaching and developing the supply chain team
- Providing clear reporting and supply chain insight to the senior leadership team
I am looking for an experienced supply chain leader who understands the pace and complexity of short-life food manufacturing. You will ideally have experience within fresh food, chilled food, prepared foods, bakery, dairy, fresh produce or another highly perishable FMCG environment. You will be commercially minded, analytical and comfortable operating at both strategic and operational level. Experience of S&OP, demand planning, production planning, inventory optimisation and supplier management would be highly advantageous. Most importantly, you will be a strong people leader who can bring structure, challenge existing processes and build a high-performing supply chain function.
This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing food manufacturer where you can have a genuine influence on the future supply chain strategy and performance of the business. You must be within an easy commute of Cheltenham.
Head of Supply Chain in Cheltenham employer: 1st Executive Ltd
Join a forward-thinking organisation that values strategic insight and innovation in the role of Interim Category Manager - MRO. With a focus on resilience and long-term supply chain strategy, you'll be part of a collaborative work culture that encourages professional growth and offers flexible working arrangements between Bristol and London. This position not only allows you to contribute to critical national programmes but also provides opportunities for meaningful engagement with senior stakeholders and industry leaders.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Supply Chain in Cheltenham
✨Join Supply Chain Meetups
Get yourself out there by attending supply chain meetups and industry events. It's a great way to meet fellow professionals, learn about trends, and maybe even hear about job openings before they’re posted online.
✨Show Off Your Skills on LinkedIn
Don’t just sit back and wait for opportunities! Post insights or articles on LinkedIn about supply chain challenges or solutions you’re passionate about. This not only showcases your expertise but can catch the eye of recruiters looking for someone like you.
✨Engage with Supply Chain Communities
Dive into online communities related to supply chain operations like forums or groups on Reddit and LinkedIn. Engaging in discussions can help you network, get advice, and you might even stumble upon some hidden job opportunities.
✨Apply through Our Website
When you spot a position at 1st Executive Ltd, make sure to apply through our website directly. It's often the quickest way to get your application in front of the right people and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role of Head of Supply Chain.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Supply Chain in Cheltenham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Supply Chain Savvy:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in supply chain operations. Whether it’s managing logistics or coordinating with suppliers, we want to see examples of how you've navigated the complexities of the supply chain. Concrete achievements, like reducing costs or improving delivery times, will definitely catch our eye!
Quantify Your Impact:When listing your previous roles on your CV, go for numbers! Mention percentages or actual figures where possible—like how much you've improved efficiency or reduced waste. It's all about showing us the tangible impact you've made in your past positions in supply chain operations.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:In your cover letter, don’t just regurgitate your CV. Instead, connect your experiences specifically to the role at 1st Executive Ltd. Share why you're passionate about supply chain operations and how this full-time role aligns with your career goals—I mean, who wouldn’t want to hear that!
Research and Reflect:Before you apply, take some time to research 1st Executive Ltd and its supply chain operations. Reflect on how your skills and experiences can fit into their operations. Being able to discuss their challenges and how you can contribute to solving them in your application will really make you stand out!
How to prepare for a job interview at 1st Executive Ltd
✨Know Your Basics in Supply Chain Management
Make sure you've got a solid grasp of key supply chain concepts like demand forecasting, inventory management, and logistics. We could be quizzed on these during technical rounds, so brush up on any software tools commonly used in the industry like SAP or Oracle. This knowledge will help us show we can hit the ground running!
✨Show Off Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss real-world scenarios where you've used data analysis to solve supply chain challenges. If you've got experience with tools like Excel or Tableau, get ready to talk about how you've used these to optimise processes or improve efficiencies. Employers love seeing that we can turn data into actionable insights!
✨Highlight Your Teamwork and Project Management Skills
In a full-time role, collaboration is key. Think of examples where you've worked on cross-functional teams or managed projects. Sharing how you navigated challenges while working with diverse groups will show that we can thrive in a dynamic environment like at 1st Executive Ltd.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by 1st Executive Ltd
Look into any unique supply chain challenges 1st Executive Ltd might be facing, whether it's sustainability, supplier relationships, or global disruptions. Being prepared to discuss these topics shows that we're not only informed but also genuinely interested in how we can contribute to their success. That’s a big plus in any interview!
