| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Supply Chain |
| Level | Senior management |
| Reports to | Chief Operating Officer |
| Direct reports | General Manager Supply Chain, Demand Planning Manager, Supply Chain Manager |
| Experience | 15+ years in supply chain, with several years in a leadership role |
Head of Supply Chain job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: Head of Supply Chain
Department: Supply Chain
Reports to: Chief Operating Officer
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
A Head of Supply Chain leads the entire supply chain function for a company or business unit. They own the supply chain strategy, the sales and operations planning process, the operating model, and the targets for service, cost, inventory and working capital. The role sits in senior management and leads supply chain general managers and functional managers. A good one builds a supply chain that reliably serves customers at the right cost, matures the planning process, keeps inventory and cash healthy, and aligns supply chain with the company's growth plans.
Key responsibilities
- Set the supply chain strategy and operating model for the company or business unit.
- Own the sales and operations planning process across demand, supply and finance.
- Set and deliver targets for service, cost, inventory and working capital.
- Lead general managers and functional managers across planning, procurement and logistics.
- Design the distribution and warehousing network for service and cost.
- Drive supply chain digitisation, systems and analytics to improve decisions.
- Manage major supplier and logistics partnerships at a strategic level.
- Lead risk management and business continuity for supply and logistics.
- Align supply chain plans with sales, production and finance leadership.
- Build the supply chain team and capability for current and future needs.
Requirements
- Engineering or commerce degree, with an MBA or supply chain qualification
- Extensive supply chain leadership experience
- Strong grasp of planning, logistics and procurement
- 15+ years in supply chain, with several years in a leadership role
KRAs and KPIs for a Head of Supply Chain
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Service level | Company service level and on-time-in-full meet the annual target |
| Supply chain cost | Total supply chain cost as a share of sales reduced towards target |
| Working capital | Inventory and working capital kept within the agreed targets |
| Planning maturity | Sales and operations planning process running with improving forecast accuracy |
| Network design | Distribution network optimised for service and cost each year |
| Capability | Supply chain team and systems built to meet business growth |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: ERP such as SAP, Advanced planning systems, Business intelligence tools, MS Excel, Network design software.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Vice President Supply Chain, Chief Operating Officer
Interview questions for a Head of Supply Chain
- How would you build a supply chain strategy for a company entering new markets?
- How do you mature a sales and operations planning process that is not working?
- How do you balance service level against inventory and cost?
- How would you redesign a distribution network to cut cost and improve service?
- How do you manage supply chain risk and business continuity?
- How do you align supply chain with sales, production and finance leaders?
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What does a head of supply chain do?
A head of supply chain leads the entire supply chain function for a company or business unit. They own the strategy, the sales and operations planning process, the operating model, and targets for service, cost, inventory and working capital. They lead general and functional managers and align supply chain with the company's growth plans.
What is the difference between a head and a vice president of supply chain?
A head of supply chain leads the function for a company or business unit, owning strategy and operations. A vice president of supply chain usually sits higher, often across a group or several business units, closer to the board, with a stronger focus on network strategy and long-term direction. Titles vary by company size.
What skills does a head of supply chain need?
A head of supply chain needs supply chain strategy, sales and operations planning, network design, and inventory and working capital management, plus procurement and logistics knowledge. Leadership and stakeholder management are essential, since the role aligns sales, production and finance. Analytics and digital supply chain skills increasingly matter for better decisions.