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- Tasks: Lead the supply chain operations to ensure medical devices are available and compliant.
- Company: Join KARL STORZ, a leading supplier of medical equipment with a strong legacy.
- Benefits: Enjoy 34 days holiday, private medical, life assurance, and more.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on patient lives through effective supply chain management.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in supply chain, ideally in medical devices, with strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
At KARL STORZ, we take pride in helping patients through some of the toughest journeys of their lives. We are making contributions that matter. Regardless of your role, YOU improve patients' lives every day.
KARL STORZ is one of the world's leading suppliers of medical equipment for minimally invasive surgery. Since its beginnings in 1945, KARL STORZ has established itself worldwide as an international and highly regarded company in the production and sale of medical instruments and devices. The family-owned company applies tradition and experience to think about tomorrow, today. The company caters for future trends with sophisticated products, services and processes that systematically support our global activities. Our commitment to performance and professionalism means we can guarantee both user and patient the ideal solution. In doing so, we secure and create top-quality jobs in all our corporate locations.
We are seeking an experienced Head of Supply Chain Operations to lead our end-to-end supply chain function in the United Kingdom, ensuring the reliable, compliant, and cost-effective availability of medical devices to customers. This is a senior managerial role with responsibility for planning, procurement, supplier management, inventory control, warehousing, logistics, and distribution. You will play a critical role in ensuring compliance with FDA, ISO 13485 and MDR requirements, while partnering closely with Quality, Regulatory, Finance and Commercial teams to support business growth.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Strategic leadership & supply chain management
- Define and deliver the supply chain strategy aligned to business and regulatory requirements
- Drive continuous improvement, resilience and digital transformation (ERP, WMS, APS, analytics)
- Develop and maintain effective business continuity and risk mitigation plans
- Demand, supply & planning
- Lead the S&OP / IBP process to align demand, supply and commercial priorities
- Improve forecast accuracy and supply planning to minimise shortages and obsolescence
- Ensure supply chain readiness for new product introductions and market expansion
- Inventory, warehousing & distribution
- Optimise inventory, safety stock and working capital
- Oversee warehousing, distribution and transport to ensure strong on-time delivery
- Ensure compliant handling of controlled medical devices and drive logistics efficiency
- Quality, compliance & risk
- Ensure compliance with FDA/QSR, ISO 13485, MDR and related regulations
- Maintain end-to-end traceability to support audits and post-market surveillance
- Identify and mitigate supply chain risks through dual sourcing and partnerships
- Financial performance & leadership
- Own supply chain budgets, forecasting and cost management
- Monitor and report KPIs including OTIF, COGS, forecast accuracy and logistics costs
- Build and lead a high-performing supply chain team with clear goals and succession plans
- Partner cross-functionally and represent the function in leadership forums, audits and customer engagements
Qualifications and Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Operations, Business or similar
- Master's degree or APICS/CPIM/CSCP certification preferred
- 10+ years' experience in supply chain operations, ideally within medical devices, pharmaceuticals or other regulated environments
- 5+ years in a senior leadership role managing planning, procurement and logistics teams
- Strong experience working within FDA, ISO 13485 and MDR frameworks
- Proven success in S&OP/IBP, supplier leadership and supply chain optimisation
Skills:
- Strategic, analytical and commercially minded
- Strong people leader with a track record of building high-performing teams
- Excellent stakeholder management, communication and negotiation skills
- Deep knowledge of ERP systems (e.g. SAP S/4HANA), WMS and analytics tools
- Calm under pressure, highly organised and solutions-focused
Job Types: Full time/ Permanent
Schedule: 35 hour shift Monday-Friday
Work Location: Office based in Slough
34 days holiday (inclusive of public holidays)
Private Medical
Medical cash back scheme
Company sick pay
Life Assurance
Critical illness and income protection (service requirements apply)
UK Head of Supply Chain Operations in Slough employer: KARL STORZ SE & Co. KG
Contact Detail:
KARL STORZ SE & Co. KG Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land UK Head of Supply Chain Operations in Slough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the supply chain industry, especially those who have experience in medical devices. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching KARL STORZ and their supply chain operations. Understand their products and how they align with regulatory requirements. This will show you're genuinely interested and ready to contribute.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss your experience in building high-performing teams and driving continuous improvement. Use specific examples that highlight your strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at KARL STORZ.
We think you need these skills to ace UK Head of Supply Chain Operations in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of UK Head of Supply Chain Operations. Highlight your experience in supply chain management, especially within regulated environments like medical devices. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about improving patient lives through supply chain excellence. Share specific examples of your achievements that relate to the responsibilities listed in the job description.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a senior managerial role, we’re looking for strong leadership qualities. In your application, emphasise your experience in building high-performing teams and your ability to drive continuous improvement. Let us know how you’ve led teams to success!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at KARL STORZ!
How to prepare for a job interview at KARL STORZ SE & Co. KG
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of supply chain operations, especially in the medical devices sector. Familiarise yourself with FDA, ISO 13485, and MDR regulations, as these will be crucial in your role. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're serious about the position.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a senior managerial role, they’ll want to see your leadership style. Prepare examples of how you've built high-performing teams and driven continuous improvement in past roles. Think about specific challenges you've faced and how you overcame them to demonstrate your strategic thinking.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and decision-making skills. They might ask how you would handle a supply chain disruption or improve forecast accuracy. Practise articulating your thought process clearly and logically, as this will highlight your analytical skills.
✨Engage with Their Mission
KARL STORZ is all about improving patients' lives, so make sure you connect your experience and values to their mission. Be ready to discuss how your work in supply chain operations can contribute to better patient outcomes. This will show that you’re not just looking for a job, but are genuinely interested in making a difference.