Head of Supply Chain - Northampton

Head of Supply Chain jobs

The supply chain can be an extremely complex part of a company, involving everything from procurement, and manufacturing through to warehousing, logistics and distribution.

No matter what industry a company may be operating in, the head of supply chain is a key position that can play a big part in the overall success and profitability of the enterprise.

After all, they will likely be responsible for project planning, creating strategies and implementing policies to ensure that budgets are met, schedules are adhered to and products are delivered according to agreed quality standards.

Monitoring the market and analysing trends will be a big part of the role, as will making forecasts and taking steps to ensure the supply chain is properly prepared for any peaks or troughs in demand.

What’s more, the head of supply chain will also be tasked with identifying, driving and delivering consistent improvement within the company’s supply chain. This could mean finding time efficiencies, renegotiating contracts or selecting new suppliers.

The skills required

The head of supply chain is a senior role in any organisation, and as such candidates should have a proven track record in managing a team.

Communication skills are a must and you should be able to train, motivate and encourage a team to do the best work possible for the organisation.

An ability to build relationships, carry out negotiations and deal with problems is vital, while a strong customer focus, a credible and trustworthy demeanour and an ability to be proactive and decisive are desirable.

Head of Supply Chain Jobs in Northampton

Situated in the East Midlands on the banks of the River Nene, Northampton is a market town with a history dating back to the 6th century. By the end of the 11th century, the community had grown significantly and the Domesday Book records it as having a population of around 1,500 inhabitants.

During the 19th century, the city experienced further expansion thanks to the construction of the Grand Union Canal, which connected London and Birmingham with each other, as well as cities like Leicester, Slough and Northampton. Railways also arrived at the city around this time, further simplifying trade with the rest of the country.

Northampton was best known for producing shoes and other leather goods during the 1800s and a few companies that were established during this period still provide specialist, high-end items today - including Edward Green Shoes, Trickers, Church's and Crockett & Jones.

Over the years, most of the other footwear factories have been converted to offices or residential buildings and, although the shoe industry has declined, a number of other sectors have taken its place, including distribution, finance and manufacturing. So those seeking Head of Supply Chain roles in the area will have an array of employers to consider.

Just some of the well-known companies that have offices, factories or headquarters in Northampton include Coca Cola, Schweppes, Carlsberg, Texas Instruments, Avon Products, Blacks Leisure Group and Panasonic.

Meanwhile, Nationwide Building Society, Barclay Card, the University of Northampton and St Andrew's Healthcare are all major employers.

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Find Head of Supply Chain positions with Cast UK

Here at Cast UK, we work hard to find the best talent for every vacancy. Our team of qualified recruitment consultants have worked in these types of jobs themselves, giving them an excellent understanding of what drives the industry and what makes the ideal candidate for each role.

So if you're ready to take your next step on the career ladder, look no further than Cast UK. To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Head of Supply Chain for your business or find you a job as a Head of Supply Chain then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.

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