At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead supply chain initiatives and drive continuous improvement across Europe.
- Company: Join Mars, a purpose-driven company focused on building a better tomorrow.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, and access to Mars University for personal growth.
- Other info: Collaborate with key stakeholders and develop innovative supply chain solutions.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment with diverse teams.
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree and 3-5 years in supply chain or project management.
Royal Canin is undertaking a major transformation programme called EOS to deliver against its strategy of being Fit for Future and removing business risk. The transformation has 4 key elements: new technology including implementation of SAP4 HANA, E2E standardized core processes, a strengthened data & analytics foundation, supported by a dedicated transformation team and change management. Following a successful pilot in Poland, the 1st wave of implementations will go live in summer 2027 and RC EKA (European Key Accounts) will be one of 3 units to participate in the first wave.
The approach will see local associates with relevant expertise moving onto the project and their day-to-day roles covered via backfills for the length of the project. EKA operates a unique model within Mars, delivering to major pan-European online customers operating in 28 markets and supplying direct ex-factory from 5 factories across Europe. It’s a small team of 37 associates with each role having high responsibility and impact.
This role will be part of the backfill team covering day-to-day responsibilities in the running of the unit and it offers a pan-European perspective and stakeholders, in-depth and varied customer dynamics, and an agile entrepreneurial environment.
The SC Development Manager is responsible for deploying and implementing the market Do It Best ‘DiB’ (Cost, Service and Sustainability) programme, both from an Annual Execution Plan and long-term strategic perspective as well as driving/designing new capabilities across the end-to-end supply chain.
The SC Dev Manager represents Supply Chain in cross-functional local business improvement projects and RC EKA in regional DiB forums and workstreams as well as facing into our key account customers to collaborate on CI initiatives.
What are we looking for?
- Bachelor’s degree in (Industrial) Engineering and/or Manufacturing
- 3 - 5 years working experience in manufacturing and/or CI/Lean and/or IE Process development/deployment, Project Management in various industries, functions
- Nice to have 2+ years supply planning, demand planning and/or logistics operations
- End-to-end supply chain &/or logistics experience within a global / European business (5+ years)
- Must demonstrate successful project management experience within supply chain/logistics/planning management.
- Strong influencing skills to senior management
- Strong collaboration skills and effectiveness in working in a matrix organisation
- A high level of technical skills within Excel, PowerBI, data analysis, AI experience would be preferred
What will be your key responsibilities?
- Lead the ongoing review of EKA supply chain DiB initiatives and search for new opportunities
- Lead the wider EKA Supply chain team through our continuous improvement roadmap
- Manage projects to develop & start new supply chain capabilities
- Lead the deployment of supply chain standard process & tools and digitalization in collaboration with relevant local/regional/global stakeholders
- Lead and coordinate the continuous improvement program across supply chain activities from factory to customer (planning, logistics, hauliers, RTM, factories, order to cash process, customer services, customer collaboration)
- DIB Program: To initiate and support the local DIB for LCC/OH/Cash/Service initiatives
- Take on the leadership for EKA’s wide-ranging CI roadmaps with both customers working in partnership with SC contacts at the customer, leading the SC steerco meetings and ensuring we remain on track for success
- Take the lead on EKA’s Mars Quality Management (QMS) process supported by the different functional champions
- Provide functional leadership for the QMS for RC EKA
- Ensure that core business processes are resilient with effective segregation of duties for key roles established
- Ensure that RC EKA operates to Mars QMS standards
- Deliver annual DiB KPIs (5% Logistics costs, 10% sustainability reductions YoY)
- Support the EKA logistics manager on the tender process / tax compliance / procurement initiatives across all Supply Chain service providers and suppliers (incl. 3PL’s, hauliers, factories, pallet buyers, SC consultants)
- Support the strategic review of the RC EKA RTM as well as the implementation of changes to it
- Represent the RC EKA SC in EU Supply Chain platforms (e.g. EU DIB and Sustainability forums, European community of practice meetings)
- Building of standard operating procedures and assisting with training for implementation
- Evaluating effectiveness of process improvements and revising processes to reflect change
- Building effective relationships across the business with key stakeholders, ensuring alignment and engagement with process improvement activity
- Keep updated on latest industry developments and be prepared to bring in outside-in thinking into the RC EKA business unit
What can you expect from Mars?
Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles. Join a purpose-driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today. A strong focus on learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University. An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.
Supply Chain Development Manager in London employer: Mars
Mars in Melton Mowbray is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. With competitive salaries, private healthcare, and ample opportunities for career advancement, employees are encouraged to grow and thrive in their roles while working with state-of-the-art technology in the FMCG sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Supply Chain Development Manager in London
✨Join Supply Chain Meetups
Get yourself out there by attending supply chain meetups and industry events. It's a great way to meet fellow professionals, learn about trends, and maybe even hear about job openings before they’re posted online.
✨Show Off Your Skills on LinkedIn
Don’t just sit back and wait for opportunities! Post insights or articles on LinkedIn about supply chain challenges or solutions you’re passionate about. This not only showcases your expertise but can catch the eye of recruiters looking for someone like you.
✨Engage with Supply Chain Communities
Dive into online communities related to supply chain operations like forums or groups on Reddit and LinkedIn. Engaging in discussions can help you network, get advice, and you might even stumble upon some hidden job opportunities.
✨Apply through Our Website
When you spot a position at Mars, make sure to apply through our website directly. It's often the quickest way to get your application in front of the right people and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role of Supply Chain Development Manager.
We think you need these skills to ace Supply Chain Development Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Supply Chain Savvy:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in supply chain operations. Whether it’s managing logistics or coordinating with suppliers, we want to see examples of how you've navigated the complexities of the supply chain. Concrete achievements, like reducing costs or improving delivery times, will definitely catch our eye!
Quantify Your Impact:When listing your previous roles on your CV, go for numbers! Mention percentages or actual figures where possible—like how much you've improved efficiency or reduced waste. It's all about showing us the tangible impact you've made in your past positions in supply chain operations.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:In your cover letter, don’t just regurgitate your CV. Instead, connect your experiences specifically to the role at Mars. Share why you're passionate about supply chain operations and how this full-time role aligns with your career goals—I mean, who wouldn’t want to hear that!
Research and Reflect:Before you apply, take some time to research Mars and its supply chain operations. Reflect on how your skills and experiences can fit into their operations. Being able to discuss their challenges and how you can contribute to solving them in your application will really make you stand out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mars
✨Know Your Basics in Supply Chain Management
Make sure you've got a solid grasp of key supply chain concepts like demand forecasting, inventory management, and logistics. We could be quizzed on these during technical rounds, so brush up on any software tools commonly used in the industry like SAP or Oracle. This knowledge will help us show we can hit the ground running!
✨Show Off Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss real-world scenarios where you've used data analysis to solve supply chain challenges. If you've got experience with tools like Excel or Tableau, get ready to talk about how you've used these to optimise processes or improve efficiencies. Employers love seeing that we can turn data into actionable insights!
✨Highlight Your Teamwork and Project Management Skills
In a full-time role, collaboration is key. Think of examples where you've worked on cross-functional teams or managed projects. Sharing how you navigated challenges while working with diverse groups will show that we can thrive in a dynamic environment like at Mars.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by Mars
Look into any unique supply chain challenges Mars might be facing, whether it's sustainability, supplier relationships, or global disruptions. Being prepared to discuss these topics shows that we're not only informed but also genuinely interested in how we can contribute to their success. That’s a big plus in any interview!
