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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead distribution partnerships and ensure seamless deliveries to KFC restaurants.
- Company: Join KFC UK & Ireland, a brand with a rich history and iconic reputation.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, early finishes, private healthcare, and 25% off chicken!
- Why this job: Make a real impact on restaurant performance and customer satisfaction.
- Qualifications: Experience in supply chain management and strong Excel skills required.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Overview
We sell the world’s best chicken. Seriously. And we’ve done it since 1939, when the idea of crispy, original recipe chicken took Kentucky by storm. Now, we’re proud to serve 1000+ communities across the UK and Ireland, bringing the grit, pride and iconic reputation that we started with, all those years ago.
Across the Restaurant Support Centre (RSC), we come to work to be ourselves, and to make something of ourselves. We want to see our potential go that little bit further, as part of one of the world’s most iconic brands.
What’s the gig? Well, you support our restaurants — and we’ll support you every step of the way. Simple. Our doors are open — and they can take you anywhere.
All we ask is that you be you. Because that makes us, us. Sound good? Great. Let’s find out about that job.
The Team
We’re the engine behind the bucket – making sure every restaurant has what it needs, when it needs it. From sourcing ingredients to delivering packaging, furniture, and even marketing, our Supply Chain & Procurement team owns the journey from farm to fingers. We think big, challenge the status quo, and collaborate across the business to keep KFC running smoothly and growing strong.
About the role
We are seeking a proactive and results-oriented Distribution Lead to join our UK & Ireland Supply Chain team. In this role, you will ensure seamless deliveries to our restaurants, lead key distribution partnerships, and play a pivotal role in driving operational excellence across the region.
You will work closely with the broader UKI Supply Chain team, internal functions such as Operations and Communications, and our external distribution partners. Reporting directly to the UKI Supply Chain Director, you will also support the delivery of transformational supply chain projects and contribute to the long-term strategy of the business.
Your leadership will directly impact restaurant performance and customer satisfaction, making you a key driver of our supply chain success.
What you’ll do
Distribution Partner Management
- Lead and manage relationships with our two primary distribution partners, ensuring accountability and high-quality performance across the UK & Ireland.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for restaurant operators on delivery needs and performance issues.
- Coach and develop a direct report (Supply Planner), fostering a culture of growth, accountability, and high performance.
Performance Tracking & Reporting
- Own distributor KPI reporting, ensuring data accuracy, actionable insights, and continuous improvement in delivery performance.
- Present clear, impactful updates to senior stakeholders on supply chain performance, fund position, and project progress.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with Procurement to manage product lifecycle changes (new listings, delisting, tenders) and ensure smooth execution within distribution.
- Work closely with data experts, leveraging tools such as the restaurant ordering platform, Power BI, and Excel for performance analysis.
- Drive improvement initiatives within Distribution, identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and service quality.
- Proactively resolve product availability and delivery issues, working with suppliers and distributors to mitigate impact on restaurants.
- Support the development and execution of the UKI Supply Chain strategy and long-term initiatives.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as a business partner to internal & external stakeholders (GMs / CMOs/ CFOs, FZ’s) to understand needs and align on category strategies.
Experience
- Proven track record in supply chain or distribution management within a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
- Strong project leadership skills, with experience delivering measurable improvements and strategic initiatives.
- Advanced Excel skills and experience with analytics tools (e.g., PowerBI) to drive data-led decisions.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and build trust at senior levels internally and externally.
- Demonstrated leadership and coaching experience, managing and developing individuals or small teams
- Excellent communication and partnership skills with the ability to work effectively with internal and external partners across regional business
- You take ownership and deliver with accountability, thriving in an environment of pace and complexity.
- You’re a collaborative team player with a positive, solutions-focused mindset.
- You adapt communication to diverse audiences, building trust and alignment across teams.
- You embrace a growth mindset, continuously seeking opportunities to learn, improve, and innovate
About You
- Strong skills in Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
- Quick to learn and apply new knowledge.
- Strong experience in Senior Distribution roles, ideally within food industry or related field.
What’s in it for you
We offer benefits that make your life that little bit easier — because we know the juggle is real.
From flexible, hybrid working to Fri-Yay early finishes and Live Well Days, we’ve created a package that supports the real you, in and out of work.
You’ll get
🏠 Hybrid working from our Woking RSC (just 24 mins from London)
💸 Up to 11% company pension contributions
🎉 Fri-Yay finishes at 1pm every Friday
🧘 5 Live Well Days a year, just for you
🎯 Bonus scheme linked to company & personal performance
🩺 Private healthcare, Digital GP access & mental health coaching
👶 Enhanced parental leave and flexible return options
🍗 And yes — 25% off the chicken
The Road to becoming a real one…
- Apply (Go on… do it) – send us your CV and answer a couple of app questions.
- Intro call with our Talent Team
- Virtual call with Hiring Manager
- Virtual call with the Supply Chain Director
Ready?
We hope so, if you’re ready to be part of our community, now’s the time to apply.
Beware of fake job postings using Yum! and/or our brand logos — KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Habit Burger & Grill — on fraudulent sites. Yum! Brands only posts jobs on official careers pages and never asks for money during onboarding. Avoid unsolicited contacts via Telegram, WhatsApp or similar social apps.
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Distribution Lead employer: KFC UK & Ireland
Contact Detail:
KFC UK & Ireland Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Distribution Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know KFC's culture and values before your interview. We want to see how you fit into our team, so do a bit of homework on our history and what makes us tick. This will help you connect with the interviewers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of our iconic brand.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your storytelling skills! When discussing your experience, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to clearly articulate your achievements. We love hearing about how you've tackled challenges and made a difference in your previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t shy away from asking questions during your interview. It shows that you’re engaged and keen to understand how you can contribute to our supply chain success. Think about what you want to know about the role, the team, and our future projects.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview with a thank-you email. It’s a simple yet effective way to express your appreciation for the opportunity and reiterate your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision!
We think you need these skills to ace Distribution Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to show us what makes you unique and how you can contribute to our team.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Distribution Lead role. Highlight your relevant experience in supply chain or distribution management, and don’t forget to mention any specific achievements that demonstrate your skills!
Showcase Your Skills: We’re looking for strong project leadership and advanced Excel skills, so make sure to showcase these in your application. Use examples from your past roles to illustrate how you've used these skills to drive results.
Apply Through Our Website: To make sure your application gets to us, apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure we see your application and can get back to you quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at KFC UK & Ireland
✨Know Your Supply Chain Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your supply chain knowledge, especially in distribution management. Understand the key metrics and KPIs that drive performance in this area, as you'll need to discuss how you can improve these during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past. Highlight your coaching experience and how you've developed others, as this role involves managing a direct report.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement
Think about how you would engage with various stakeholders, from restaurant operators to senior management. Prepare examples of how you've built trust and aligned strategies with different teams in previous roles.
✨Get Familiar with Data Tools
Since the role requires advanced Excel skills and familiarity with tools like Power BI, be prepared to discuss your experience with data analysis. You might even want to bring along some examples of reports or dashboards you've created to showcase your analytical abilities.
