INTERNATIONAL HEAD OF OPERATIONS

GLOBAL $400m CONFECTIONERY BUSINESS SUPPLY CHAIN LEADER (SLT)
INTERNATIONAL HEAD OF OPERATIONS
Executive basic + 20% bonus, £9k car allowance & benefits
Southeast based, M3, M4, M25 corridor

THE COMPANY

A $400m global confectionery branded business which continues to experience unprecedented growth across both UK and international markets, driven by exceptional consumer purchasing, fueling ever-increasing rates-of-sale through high street retail and grocery retail multiple accounts.

They have a highly collaborative sales & marketing team that works with pace, enthusiasm and a clear, well-invested, brand-led marketing strategy focused on consumer insight-led, product innovative, effective brand communications and driving targeted trade listings, distribution and promotional activities. Their brands and target consumers echo a strong sense of fun and energy which sets the cultural tone across this supportive yet driven business.

THE ROLE

You will lead, develop and motivate a growing, largely new, department of highly committed individuals with a focus on leading from the front. Passionate about building both capability and accountability, you are an inspiring leader who sets high expectations and improves process and delivery through coaching and motivation of both individuals and teams.

Responsibilities will include managing internationally based manufacturers, third party logistic suppliers and QA partners, as well as end-to-end supply chain and demand planning-based inventory movements.

This role demands a real balance of hands on, frontline operational execution, together with shaping complex resourcing and supply chain strategies to support the aggressive growth plans of the business. Requiring a high level of influencing skills across functional stakeholders and senior leadership in both the UK-based business as well as the US, this international senior leadership team role reports to the International General Manager. This is an important, complex inventory management and movement role which requires a high level of performance, due to its significant impact on the business process, efficiencies, and profitability.

Additionally, this leadership role will require a visionary leader who, whilst delivering the key initiatives of the current strategic planning cycle, has the ability to ‘bring the future forward’ through further developing international product sourcing and 3PL options which add flexibility, capability and efficiencies to the current operations footprint.

THE CANDIDATE

You are an experienced Supply Chain leader at the top of your game and looking for a new career challenge with a broader range of ‘operational’ responsibilities on an SLT and where you can make a real difference. Currently working at Head of, or Director level in Supply Chain or Operations & Supply Chain, you have a genuine passion for shaping strategies and leading high performing teams from the front.  

Your experience will probably include product sourcing and managing a UK-based, multi-manufacturing site/product category supply chain and/or international manufacturing including all aspects of effective import and export stock management controls.

With a proven track record of directly managing and developing supply chain teams, you are experienced in modern supply chain systems and processes, end-to-end stock holding and logistics, forecasting/demand planning and working closely with all key stake holder contacts both internally and externally with key supply partners. Additionally, you understand the impact of both effective S&OP planning and NPD launch planning and have a ‘customer first’ focus on delivering first class customer service in the most cost-effective way.

This is a very broad-based role offering a great opportunity to join a growing, well-invested business and to step up your supply chain career into a senior leadership, business-shaping position. With a highly personable style you have an enquiring mindset together with the ambition to succeed and naturally demonstrate the gravitas to ‘hold the floor’ up to board level.

So, if this is the career move you’ve been looking for, please apply together with you CV and benefits package details to mark@smithcarey.co.uk quoting reference MS/2498 or give Mark Smith a call on 07747 847214 for a confidential discussion.

Closing date 6^th February 2025