Group Head of Supply Chain in Dartford

Brigade is a trusted, multi-award-winning global market leader developing innovative vehicle safety systems for commercial vehicles and mobile machinery. Our cutting-edge solutions prevent collisions and save lives.

Our company culture is defined by ACTION, and these values are at its core: Aspirational, Customer Centric, One Team, Innovate, Own It, Now. These values serve as guiding principles that shape the culture and behaviour of the organisation, encompassing integrity, innovation, teamwork, customer focus, and a commitment to excellence.

Purpose of Role

Reporting to the Group Operations Director and being an integral part of the Senior Operational Leadership Team, this role will ensure the efficient operation of the Demand Planning, Procurement, Import, Inventory management, and Warehouse functions. Ensuring all customer needs are met and daily operational processes are aligned with the wider company goals, strategies, and growth objectives, the role is to oversee the management of all stock and material related disciplines, providing strategic direction for the operations teams and functions, and taking full responsibility for the execution and development of the supply chain. Customer focus, team leadership, and development will form an integral part of the role.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Board of Directors and Operational Leadership Team to translate the organization’s vision and values into an effective execution of operational strategy that enhances the global customer experience and drives efficiency.
• Execution of business strategy into actionable goals for performance and growth, helping to implement organization-wide goal setting, performance management, and delivery of annual operating budgets.
• Lead employee coaching and development, productivity, and output, building a highly inclusive culture and ensuring team members thrive whilst organizational outcomes are met.
• Ensure effective recruiting, onboarding, professional development, performance management, and retention of the Supply Chain team.
• Adherence to all company requirements, enforcing compliance and acting when necessary.
• Ensure that a robust and effective continuous improvement process is in place across all supply chain processes, identifying cost savings through process efficiencies.
• Manage the entire lifecycle of sourcing and procurement projects.
• Manage business stock levels to agreed budget targets through effective forecasting and obsolescence management.
• Ensure business systems are rigorously controlled and updated and provide all required business visibility.
• Identify and implement appropriate KPIs and reporting to measure and monitor performance.
• Develop both internal and external service level agreements in support of the business strategy and ensure third party providers adhere to business standards and targets.
• Responsible for overseeing the day-to-day logistics and warehousing operations, ensuring efficient and effective processes are deployed, and all health and safety standards are monitored and maintained.

Key Tasks, but not limited to

• Work with own team and cross-functionally to identify ways in which the range of stocked items can be rationalised.
• Maintain regular Stock Projection forecasts.
• Production of monthly reports of departmental activity, initiatives, and performance against KPIs.
• Continually seek ways to improve efficiency and customer service through wider and more sophisticated use of technology.
• Set and review budgets and manage ongoing costs.
• Work with R&D and Technology function to deliver technology improvements within the business.

Person Specification

• A qualified professional (CIPS, MCIPS, Procurement and Supply Chain based Degree or working equivalent).
• Degree educated in business management or equivalent is desirable.
• High level literacy, numeracy, and accuracy.
• Customer experience focus, and sound business common sense.
• Proven history of effective international multi-site supply chain management with demonstrable levels of achievements.
• Demonstrated experience in customer experience improvements and KPI management.
• Demonstrable experience in building, managing, and developing a skilled and passionate procurement team.
• Demonstrable expert knowledge of supply chain systems, MRP system BC365, SQL reporting, PowerBI or MS Fabrics, demand planning software EazyStock, experience of digital transformation delivery projects and custom-built integrations.
• Commercially and financially astute.
• A supply chain leader who has breadth of knowledge and experience across end-to-end supply chain.
• Positive, hands-on and solutions focused.
• Forward-thinking, resourceful and committed to continuous improvement.
• Inspirational and motivating, encouraging collaboration and better ways of working.
• Highly organized and adaptable, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain attention to detail.
• Consistently demonstrates company values, professionalism and respect for colleagues.
• Clear, confident communicator across all organizational levels and external stakeholders.
• Approachable and collaborative, with the confidence to provide direction when required.
• Builds strong, supportive cross-functional relationships.
• Decisive and highly organized, able to prioritize effectively and perform under pressure.
• Flexible working beyond standard hours and travelling internationally when required.