At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic initiatives to optimise global supply chain and drive impactful improvements.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking company focused on innovation and strategic growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for professional development and growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of supply chain strategy and make a real difference.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills, strategic thinking, and experience in supply chain management.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
The Head of Strategic Initiatives leads the Strategic Initiatives Department.
The role is responsible for ensuring that the pipeline of Strategic initiatives is sufficient to deliver the GSC long‑term strategic objectives.
It does it by shaping, analysing, and governing high‑impact strategic initiatives that deliver step‑change improvements in total value across the end‑to‑end Global Supply Chain, with a typical planning horizon of 2-5 years.
Operating across all product categories, geographies, and supply chain functions, the role addresses complex and ambiguous challenges spanning network design, value chain optimisation, make‑or‑buy decisions, advanced analytics, and digital enablement.
The department applies a consulting style approach: framing problems, developing hypotheses, running rigorous analyses, and translating insights into fact‑based recommendations to support senior decision‑making.
Implementation ownership remains with functional teams; the Strategic Initiatives function provides strategic direction, analytical rigour, and executive alignment.
A core accountability of the role is to lead Strategic Global Supply Chain Network Design and Optimisation, covering sourcing, manufacturing, and distribution.
This includes defining forward‑looking network strategies, evaluating structural trade‑offs, and optimising the global footprint to balance cost, service, resilience, risk, inventory, cash, and future capability requirements.
Network design insights directly inform long‑term strategic choices, investment decisions, and business planning.
The role also leads the Global Supply Chain Total Value Loss Analysis – a recurring, fact‑based assessment of cost, service, inventory, cash, resilience, and future capability performance across the supply chain.
The objective is to identify gaps between \"ideal\" and \"actual\" performance, quantify the value at stake, and translate insights into prioritised strategic initiatives embedded into Global Supply Chain and Group business planning processes.
In addition, the Head of Strategic Initiatives identifies, shapes, and governs the portfolio of strategic initiatives across Global Supply Chain to fulfil Group Strategy ambitions.
Acting as a strategic integrator between Group Strategy and GSC leadership, the role ensures disciplined prioritisation, effective portfolio governance, and measurable value delivery.
- Principle Accountabilities
- Strategic leadership & vision
- Strategic global supply chain & optimisation
- Global supply chain total value loss analysis
- Strategic initiative portfolio identification & governance
- Project oversight & executive decision support
- Innovation & capability building
- Stakeholder engagement
- Team Leadership & development
- Strategic Thinking & Visionary Leadership
- Advanced Analytical & Financial Modelling Skills
- Stakeholder Management & Influencing at Executive Level
- Innovation Scouting & Business Case Development
- Strong Communication & Storytelling Skills
- Comfort with Ambiguity and Complex Problem Solving
- End-to-End Supply Chain Understanding
- Awareness of State-of-the-Art Practices and Innovations in Supply Chain and Strategy
- Curiosity and Out-of-the-Box Thinking – ability to challenge the status quo and explore unconventional solutions
- Confidence and Resilience – comfortable engaging in difficult conversations and navigating challenges
- Positive Mindset – fostering optimism and solution-oriented thinking
- Executive Presence – ability to credibly represent the GSC Strategy function in front of the Executive Leadership Team and other senior forums
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Strategic Initiatives in London
✨Dive Into Corporate Strategy Communities
Get yourself involved in online communities or forums focused on corporate strategy. Places like LinkedIn groups or specific Slack channels can hook you up with industry insights, trends, and many potential job leads. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts or ask questions; it’ll boost your visibility!
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Events
Keep an eye out for corporate strategy conferences or networking events in your area (or online!). These gatherings are gold mines for meeting hiring managers and making impactful connections. Plus, having a few good conversations can lead to job referrals at companies like Imperial Tobacco Group!
✨Showcase Your Strategy Skills
Create content that showcases your knowledge of corporate strategy—think reports, blogs, or even video discussions. Sharing these on platforms like LinkedIn or Medium can demonstrate your expertise and make you stand out to employers looking for fresh talent.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply for the Head of Strategic Initiatives position at Imperial Tobacco Group via our website! This shows your genuine interest, and who knows, you might just land that interview in a matter of days. Keep your application focused on how you can add value to their strategy team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Strategic Initiatives in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Strategic Thinking:When crafting your CV and cover letter, highlight your strategic analysis skills. Focus on past experiences where you've effectively assessed market trends or made impactful recommendations. Evidence-based achievements, like improving processes or contributing to significant projects, will help us see your potential for driving corporate strategy at Imperial Tobacco Group.
Tailor Your Narrative:Don’t just send us a generic application! Personalise your cover letter by connecting your experiences and aspirations to Imperial Tobacco Group’s mission and goals. We love seeing candidates who genuinely understand what we do; share how your vision aligns with ours and what you can bring to the table.
Highlight Relevant Academic Credentials:In your CV, make sure to showcase your academic background, especially if you have qualifications in business, economics, or analytics. We appreciate candidates who can back up their skills with relevant degrees or certifications, so don’t be shy about flaunting those achievements!
Utilise Professional Language:While we want you to be yourself, remember that corporate strategy roles demand a level of professionalism in communication. Use clear and concise language in your application materials, ensuring that your ideas come across as well-structured and sophisticated. It’s all about making a great impression right from the written application stage!
How to prepare for a job interview at Imperial Tobacco Group
✨Master the Numbers
Corporate strategy often involves data analysis and financial forecasting. Brush up on your quantitative skills, and be prepared to handle case studies or numerical problems during the interview. We might get questions about how to approach market trends or assess the performance of a hypothetical company — so practice these scenarios!
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarity with strategic frameworks like SWOT, PESTLE, or Porter’s Five Forces can set you apart. We should be ready to discuss how we’d apply these tools to real-world business situations — maybe even relating them to Imperial Tobacco Group. This shows we’re not just theory-happy but can articulate our practical application.
✨Engage in Strategic Conversations
In a full-time role like this, it’s crucial to show that we're engaged and informed about current trends in the industry. Keep up with major news and prepare to discuss how recent developments could impact strategic decisions at Imperial Tobacco Group. This will demonstrate our passion and proactive approach to the field.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Whether through internships or projects, we should highlight any experience that relates to corporate strategy. Have specific examples ready to talk about how we’ve contributed to strategic growth or improvements. It's about showcasing our unique journey and how it will bring value to Imperial Tobacco Group.
