At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global S&OP process and oversee European supply operations for optimal customer service.
- Company: WE Soda, the world's largest producer of natural soda ash with a global presence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a chance to shape sustainability in supply chain.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on innovation and operational excellence.
- Why this job: Join a leading company and make a significant impact on global supply chain operations.
- Qualifications: 10-15 years in S&OP or supply chain leadership, preferably in asset-intensive industries.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
About WE Soda
WE Soda is the world’s largest producer of natural soda ash, a critical raw material used in a wide range of industrial applications, including glass, detergents, and chemicals.
Our company takes great pride in producing over 9.5 million tonnes of natural soda ash annually, an exceptional milestone that reinforces our leadership in the global market.
With our headquarters in the United Kingdom and production facilities in Türkiye and the United States, we operate across a broad international footprint.
Our products are in high demand worldwide, and we currently export premium natural soda ash to more than 80 countries, reflecting our commitment to operational excellence and our ability to meet the diverse needs of a global customer base.
Role Purpose
The Global Head of S&OP & European Supply Operations is responsible for leading WE Soda’s global Sales & Operations Planning process, integrating Commercial, Manufacturing, Supply Chain and Finance into an aligned operating plan.
The role also has direct responsibility for the end-to-end execution of European and UK customer supply operations, from order entry through final delivery, including customer service, inventory management, distribution hubs, inland terminals, warehouses and transportation.
The position ensures alignment between global demand and supply while delivering reliable customer service, optimized inventory, efficient logistics execution and competitive cost-to-serve across the European and UK network.
Key Responsibilities
- Global S&OP – Key Responsibilities
- Lead the Global S&OP process, ensuring an integrated and aligned demand, production, inventory and capacity plan across Commercial, Manufacturing, Supply Chain and Finance.
- Drive forecast accuracy, demand-plan and production-plan adherence, identifying forecast bias, supply-demand gaps and capacity constraints early enough to enable corrective action.
- Optimize inventory and working capital, maintaining finished-goods inventory against agreed targets and safety-stock policies while ensuring appropriate capacity utilization and supply availability.
- Establish strong S&OP governance and execution discipline, ensuring timely decision-making, action closure and proactive resolution of constraints to minimize unplanned allocations and emergency supply events.
- A specific first 12-month mandate to repair and institutionalize the S&OP process.
- Ensure that decisions taken through Executive S&OP are translated into one agreed production, inventory, logistics and customer allocation plan and tracked through execution.
- Europe/UK Operations – Key Responsibilities
- Lead end-to-end Europe and UK customer supply execution, ensuring strong OTIF performance and minimizing customer supply interruptions across the distribution network.
- Optimize delivered logistics cost and working capital, improving cost/MT, inventory turns and inventory days while minimizing demurrage, detention and storage costs.
- Maximize hub, terminal, warehouse and transportation network utilization, balancing capacity, inventory availability, operational resilience and customer requirements.
- Ensure strong operational, WE Soda global HSE and service performance, proactively managing logistics risks, disruptions and claims while driving continuous improvement across the network.
- Help shape and deliver the Sustainability plans and goals for the supply chain, working closely with the Commercial Department.
- Implement comprehensive risk management initiatives, including contractual, operational, and field-level safeguards, as well as contingency planning to reinforce supply chain resilience.
- Develop and manage logistics service providers and strategic partners, ensuring appropriate capacity, service performance, operational standards and cost competitiveness across the Europe and UK network.
Key Qualifications & Experience
- 10–15+ years in S&OP, integrated planning, supply chain planning or operations leadership.
- Direct accountability for a mature S&OP/IBP process across multiple manufacturing sites and geographic markets.
- Experience in an asset-intensive commodity/process industry — soda ash preferred; chemicals, industrial minerals, mining, fertilizers, metals, pulp/paper or similar acceptable.
- Experience reconciling constrained production capacity against customer demand and determining allocation priorities.
- Strong understanding of forecast accuracy/bias, inventory policy, capacity planning, working capital, logistics constraints and scenario modelling.
- Experience presenting and driving decisions at executive S&OP.
- Strong background in managing multi-modal logistics networks and distribution (sea freight, rail, truck and containers).
- Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, Logistics, Supply Chain, or General Engineering.
- Professional fluency in English: fluency in other languages a plus
Preferred Attributes
- Experience in fast-paced, growth-driven or owner-led environments
- Experience in establishing and managing supply chain control towers
- Ability to handle operational challenges while leading strategic initiatives
- Familiarity with both bulk and containerized cargo handling and railroad logistics
- ERP/TMS expertise (SAP, Oracle, or similar)
- High integrity, accountability, and resilience under pressure
- Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional leadership skills
Performance Metrics
- OTIF Delivery Rate (On-Time, In-Full)
- Cost-to-Serve Reduction Yo Y
- Logistics Costs as % of Sales
- Asset Utilization
- Customer Satisfaction (NPS)
- Operational Risk Incident Rate
Global Director - S&OP and European Supply Operations in Slough employer: WE Soda
At WE Soda, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through comprehensive training programmes and opportunities for advancement within our global operations. Located in the UK, we provide a unique chance to be part of a leading company in the natural soda ash industry, where your contributions directly impact sustainability and operational excellence on an international scale.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Global Director - S&OP and European Supply Operations in Slough
✨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 WE Soda, 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 Global Director - S&OP and European Supply Operations.
We think you need these skills to ace Global Director - S&OP and European Supply Operations in Slough
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 WE Soda. 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 WE Soda 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 WE Soda
✨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 WE Soda.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by WE Soda
Look into any unique supply chain challenges WE Soda 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!
