Purchasing & Logistics Director

Circa £90K, car allowance, bonus & benefits

Our client, a highly profitable and integral part of an ambitious plc is a UK based market leader in the design and manufacture of an innovative range of products & solutions for the highly demanding domestic, commercial, and industrial construction sectors.

Operating out of state-of-the-art facilities in south Wales, the business operates with minimal impact on the environment and has a loyal and highly skilled workforce committed towards the provision of first-class technical, customer service and manufacturing expertise. The business is well positioned for future growth and has a committed programme of continued investment in research and new product development.

They are now seeking an ambitious Purchasing & Logistics Director who will report to the Managing Director and will be responsible for setting and implementing the strategic vision for the supply chain area of the business and in leading the procurement and logistics teams to deliver supplies and manufactured products to internal and external customers in a sustainable, ethical and cost-effective manner.

Central to the role will be an approach based on collaborative working with cross-functional teams in order  to make service improvements through effective inventory management, warehousing fulfilment and developing third party partner relationships to ensure quality and security of supply in an ever-changing environment.  You will also create initiatives that promote leading levels of customer service and ensure that a positive safety culture is shared across the business in order to support our excellent market reputation and accreditations.

The Role

• An influential member of the senior Leadership team, develop and implement the supply chain strategy, ensuring it is effectively communicated and understood across functional areas
• Principally to oversee divisional procurement, inventory management, transport, logistics and associated customer service
• Embrace modern techniques and world class standards that improve quality, cost and delivery without detracting from what makes our products and company truly innovative
• Use strong market insight to source goods within agreed timescales, anticipating problems, meeting cost saving objectives and stakeholder service level agreements
• Effectively negotiate terms and conditions for supplier contracts, adopt a commercial partnership approach, build strategic relationships whilst maintaining a watching brief over due diligence, quality, sustainability and environmental trends
• Lead, manage and develop the procurement, purchasing and warehousing teams to ensure the team is fully equipped to deliver on what is required
• Take accountability for a change management journey that implements modern supply chain methodology to drive performance
• Forecast, track and report on KPI’s relating to supplier spend, performance, price trends, cost-saving and warehousing activities
• Oversee strategic warehouse management planning including multi-site responsibilities, site improvements and change management activities
• Act as an ambassador for procurement and logistics and be a role model for fostering a health and safety conscious culture amongst all employees
• Work collaboratively with R&D teams, manage the supplier interface for new product developments
• Engage with the wider management team to clarify and prioritise procurement value levers; utilise benchmarking approaches to demonstrate value for money and validate purchasing decisions
• Critically review existing systems, implement data driven procedures, processes & metrics
• Manage warehouse costs to budget, ensure peak volumes are managed and that there is an adequate level of operative planning and resource available to support activities
• Act as the focal point for logistical innovation including streamlining and improving efficiencies as well as in identifying any new technologies that may be required to support future growth plans
• Manage critical component sourcing strategies including risk, regulatory and compliance
• Research alternative potential global suppliers in order to reduce dependence/increase availability
• Lead continuous improvements and initiatives for operational management systems, processes and best practices with a lens on developing our environmentally conscious ethos
• Ensure that company procurement and logistics processes remain legally compliant
• Seek out and develop ways to further enhance the quality of customer service
• Oversee all team organisation, motivation and recognition, including robust procedures for training, development and the identification of talent for effective succession planning

The Candidate

• Degree or equivalent (Supply Chain, Business, Engineering or similar)
• Professional procurement or logistics qualification – MCIPS or equivalent would be beneficial
• Confirmed experience of procurement and logistics management at a senior level, ideally with a high level exposure of managing complex multi-site operations
• A track record of success within a demanding manufacturing environment that encompasses best practice operations management, purchasing, logistics and warehousing skills
• Experience of working within the ventilation / HVAC industry could be beneficial but is not essential
• Experience of driving business and progressive cultural change that secures real value and benefits
• Sound working knowledge of purchasing systems, processes and technologies
• A proven track record of setting out measurable and sustainable people, organisational and  tactical supply chain  strategies in order to support future growth plans
• A high level of self-motivation combined with integrity, personal credibility and the skills to influence and  lead complex negotiations with stakeholders
• Well-developed strategic planning and project management skills with the tactical and organisational ability to execute  business plans in order to meet objectives and expectations
• Logical problem-solving skills, analytical with an ability to think outside the box to solve problems
• Experience of empowering teams, supporting team members and developing talent
• Commercially astute, familiar with the financial principles involved in sourcing, delivery and execution
• Experience in managing sizeable budgets and in producing meaningful forecasts
• Process driven and experienced in driving measurable and sustainable supply chain performance improvement through implementation of best-in-class techniques
• A credible leader, influencer and motivator of others:- self-aware, people orientated  with an approachable/available style who is able to gain the respect and trust of stakeholders & colleagues
• Well-developed customer relationship skills; able to cultivate long term working relationships
• Reliable, energetic, resilient, and positive, willing to embrace change, make improvements and maintain a proactive bias for action and sense of urgency across the business
• Able to make well-reasoned decisions whilst working at pace and with conflicting priorities
• Effective communication skills that can deliver confidence and enhance our reputation in front of suppliers, customers, our parent company, stakeholders, and industry influencing bodies
• Able to understand the market drivers that affect the business, using the best information available
• IT & financially literate with an in depth understanding of the latest tools for executing sourcing & logistics strategies; also experience of implementing KPI’s, CI and change management
• Knowledgeable with all health, safety and environmental requirements
• Willing to travel UK/ Overseas and a full UK Driving Licence

Please reply with your CV quoting ref 21/2011 to our retained consultant David Smalley at Daniels Smalley Partnership