Associate Director Supply Chain Planning UK - Leeds Head Office

Do you want to drive the future of dairy within planning? Do you have the strategic vision and customer-centric focus to deliver transformational change within our organisation?

As a function, Arla Supply Chain Planning is on an exciting journey, where we are transforming the way we plan across the value chain – with an ambition to improve customer centricity and operational excellence. Leveraging organisation and digitalisation as driving forces whilst enabling cost-efficient operations – all for the future of Arla! In order to be able to master this complex journey successfully, we are looking for an Associate Director to join the team based out of our Leeds Head Office.

How will you make an impact?

• Responsible for leading and building a healthy supply chain planning organisation that optimises service and costs in the operational horizon – Across Arla UK Milk & Yoghurt value chain from farm to fork.
• You will manage direct and indirect reports across all of our UK milk sites including Aylesbury, Oakthorpe, Lockerbie and Settle. The function incorporates Supply chain Network Planning Managers, Operational Network Planners, Availability Planners, Site Schedulers and Component Availability Planners and you will have a direct reporting line to the Global Director, Operational Supply Lead MY Local.
• Collaborate closely and share best practice with peers within the global MY SC planning Leadership Team from Sweden, Finland and Denmark.
• Drive the service and waste dialogue in the UK Market in strong collaboration with Demand Planning as well as the Sr. Manager Supply Chain Planning, CBP (Cheese, Butter and Powder)
• Ensure cost competitiveness and continuous development of the organisation that both internal and external customers receive an excellent level and service.
• Setting the direction, implementing and embedding new solutions across UK to enable the realisation of the E2E Planning Program.
• Overall responsibility of the short-term execution (0-8 weeks) of Operational Supply Chain Planning Strategy and setting the future direction of the department.
• Strategically strengthen the team’s leadership and planning capabilities and drive the promotion and continuous improvement in the area of planning.
• Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder engagement across Sales, Production, Logistics and Demand Planning with the ability to build good working relationships at all levels of the organisation.
• Lead the UK Sales & Operations Execution (S&OE).

What will you need to succeed?

We are looking for a passionate leader with a strong holistic view and dedicated people management skills, who can lead and empower other leaders. A strong technical knowledge within FMCG is paramount along with a proven track record as a leader in planning or wider supply chain. Proven experience leading transformational change within a global matrix organisation, with a focus on customer centricity, cost optimisation and digitalisation. Knowledge of the future of planning opportunities within commercial and supply chain planning is essential. The role requires a strong decision maker who is able to combine an analytical approach and tight vision with decisive action. You will need a strong ability to act smartly and strategically while being a team player willing to roll up your sleeves. Strong communication skills to engage and inspire on a common agenda combined with interpersonal and influencing skills to inspire and interact with other departments, employees and external vendors and carriers. Fluency in spoken and written English is essential. Regular travel across our UK milk sites is required, as well as occasional travel across Europe.

What can we offer?

In return, you can expect a competitive salary and benefits package and the opportunity to work with a market-leading company that encourages internal promotion.

At Arla, we do so much more than make some of the world’s favourite dairy products. We make healthy taste delicious, mornings worth getting up for & family dinners unforgettable. Lurpak, Arla Cream Cheese & Castello – names and brands like these make us a vital, natural part of modern life in over 100 countries around the world. We are 19,000 global employees at the heart of it. Every single one of us plays an important role & together we build on our +13bn Euros turnover & establish our position as one of the largest dairy companies in the world.

We have a purpose for Good. At Arla, we strive to unlock the highest potential in each other while working together to create a sustainable future of dairy. We call it Stronger People Stronger Planet and it is deeply anchored in our organisation and founded on our commitment to respecting human rights, increasing access to healthy dairy nutrition, inspiring good food habits, and improving the environment for future generations. In order to succeed, we need to hire people with a sustainable mindset. Could this be you?

#J-18808-Ljbffr