Assistant Director - Supply Chain - Operational Strategy - EY-Parthenon in London

At EY-Parthenon (EY-P), our unique combination of transformative strategy, transactions, tax and corporate finance delivers real-world value – solutions that work in practice, not just on paper. Benefiting from EY’s full spectrum of services, we’ve reimagined strategic consulting to work in a world of increasing complexity. With deep functional and sector expertise, paired with innovative AI-powered technology and an investor mindset, we partner with CEOs, boards, private equity and governments every step of the way.

The Operational Strategy practice within EY-Parthenon provides clients with pragmatic, results-oriented solutions that drive efficiency and performance improvement, helping solve their most significant financial and operational challenges. A core pillar of our offering is Supply Chain Strategy, spanning both corporate transformation and transaction contexts.

We develop strategies that optimise operations and enhance overall business value, leveraging deep sector and functional expertise, including:

• Corporate end‑to‑end supply chain strategy covering footprint, cost‑to‑serve, network, logistics and core operations (including manufacturing engineering and product development operations), with resilience and sustainability considerations
• Deal supply chain value creation, covering carve-outs, separations and integrations
• Cost optimisation supply chain and operations

Your key responsibilities include advising clients across a variety of sectors, supporting key decision makers in developing and implementing strategic transformations, with a particular focus on supply chain-led value creation in both corporate and deal environments. You will lead project delivery teams, working with senior client stakeholders within tight timeframes for some of EY’s most demanding clients. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential to effectively engage with clients and pragmatically address their needs, including the production of clear, concise, executive-ready reports and recommendations.

You will operate with a high degree of independence, owning supply chain and procurement workstreams end-to-end and translating operational insights into clear financial outcomes (EBITDA, cash, CAPEX, risk). Assistant Directors are expected to play a leading role in new business development efforts by supporting on pitches/pursuits and preparing compelling go-to-market collateral. You will also help shape the Supply Chain value proposition within Operational Strategy, contributing to thought leadership and practice growth.

We expect you to establish, maintain and strengthen internal and external relationships to help build the profile of our team. As an important member of a small and growing team, you would be expected to take a leading role in practical efforts to grow the practice, and in the coaching and counselling of junior team members to help them develop.

Skills and attributes for success include:

• Project Delivery: Lead project delivery teams driving transformational change at pace, manage project teams, and oversee engagement management (e.g. project commercials and risk management) with direct ownership of supply chain–related workstreams or projects.
• Financial Analysis: Excellent financial analysis skills required, including overseeing/reviewing analysis of other team members with the ability to link operational drivers to P&L, cash and balance sheet impacts.
• Business and Commercially Driven: Working in a fast-paced, exciting environment with strong business acumen to really help add value to our clients.
• Value Creation: Ability to identify the key strategic priorities/challenges, and pragmatically develop solutions or actions to address particularly in supply chain and operations contexts.
• Report Writing: Demonstrate ability to produce clear, concise, and client-ready reports that effectively communicate complex findings and recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Business Development: Assist in aspects of business origination, including pitches and presentations.
• Learning: Develop technical and personal skills to support achievement of career goals, through a blend of structured learning, coaching and experiences.
• Stakeholder Management and Communication: Effectively engage and manage stakeholders by tailoring communication to influence, align, and drive outcomes.
• Role Model: Act as a role model and support the development and coaching of junior team members.

To qualify for the role you must have specialism/experience in at least three of these areas:

• Professional services/consulting
• Operational Strategy: experience in cost transformation, turnaround and/or operational restructuring (cross-sector)
• Functional Specialism: experience in supply chain strategy/cost reduction, planning, inventory management, manufacturing efficiency and/or logistics optimisation (corporate and/or transaction contexts).
• Experience in procurement (Direct and Indirect) is helpful but not mandatory.
• Value creation in transactions, including supply chain separation, integration or TSA-related work.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to link operational analysis to financial statements, and understand the implications of findings to client strategy.

Ideally, you’ll also have experience in building strong working relationships with senior clients, including influence, advice and support to key decision makers. Experience in supporting sales and business development processes for professional services projects in a large-scale consulting environment is preferred. A track record of successful project delivery in corporate businesses where you are responsible for managing project team members and vendors is beneficial. Strong written and verbal communication skills and experience of producing and reviewing high calibre reports, papers, presentations and thought leadership are also advantageous.

We will fuel your ambition and potential with future-focused skills development that equips you with state-of-the-art methodologies and technology-enabled solutions. With more than 25,000 people in 150 countries, you will join an inclusive and empowering culture that values your uniqueness, prioritises your wellbeing, and immerses you in the diverse thinking and cross-cultural experiences necessary to help deliver impact to clients across the globe and to help build a better working world.

Are you ready to shape your future with confidence? Apply today.