Head of Supply Chain (m/f/d)

About the Role

The Head of Supply Chain is responsible for the end‑to‑end performance of the national supply chain — covering S&OP, demand and supply planning, logistics, vendor scheduling, and customer service. This role ensures excellent service levels, optimal inventory, and cost efficiency while driving simplification, standardisation, and continuous improvement across all supply chain processes.

As a key business partner to Commercial, Operations, R&D, and Global Supply Chain, you will enable operational excellence, commercial success, and seamless new product introductions.

Key Responsibilities

Supply Chain Planning & S&OP

• Lead and own the national S&OP process, ensuring alignment across demand, supply, and financial plans.
• Establish simplified, structured planning processes that drive transparency and accountability.
• Manage short‑ and mid‑term demand and supply planning to balance service, cost, and inventory.
• Improve forecast accuracy and bias through disciplined, data‑driven planning.
• Identify and communicate risks and opportunities within the S&OP cycle.
• Escalate critical issues with sound judgement to ensure rapid resolution.

Process Optimisation & Governance

• Lead initiatives to simplify and standardise supply chain processes.
• Define and maintain governance structures, roles, responsibilities, and decision rights.
• Ensure timely, accurate information flow for high‑quality decision-making.
• Promote a KPI‑driven, analytical culture.
• Continuously improve agility, responsiveness, and cross‑functional alignment.

Service & Customer Operations

• Ensure best‑in‑class customer service with a strong focus on OTIF delivery.
• Proactively manage and resolve back orders with sustainable corrective actions.
• Depending on market complexity, oversee customer service operations.

Portfolio & Inventory Management

• Own the inventory strategy to optimise working capital and service levels.
• Conduct portfolio performance reviews (e.g., ABC analysis) and collaborate with Franchise Leads.
• Monitor stock levels, safety stock, obsolescence, and inventory turns.
• Reduce excess inventory and support financial reporting and governance.

Logistics & Distribution

• Ensure logistics operations meet service, quality, and cost KPIs.
• Continuously optimise logistics cost structures.
• Manage logistics partners through SLAs and performance reviews (where in scope).

Vendor Scheduling & Supplier Collaboration

• Lead vendor scheduling to ensure reliable material flow.
• Build strong supplier relationships focused on performance and flexibility.
• Monitor supplier performance and mitigate risks to supply continuity.

Stakeholder Management & Communication

• Build trusted relationships with Commercial, Production, R&D, suppliers, and global leadership.
• Act as the central coordination point for all national supply chain activities.
• Communicate risks, constraints, and trade‑offs clearly and proactively.
• Provide data‑driven recommendations and scenario analyses.

Escalation & Issue Resolution

• Identify critical issues early and escalate appropriately.
• Lead cross‑functional problem‑solving to resolve complex challenges.
• Ensure root causes are addressed and preventative measures embedded.

New Product Introduction (NPI)

• Lead supply chain readiness for NPIs, ensuring seamless transition to commercialisation.
• Collaborate closely with R&D and NPI project teams on timelines and milestones.
• Define launch scenarios balancing risk, service, cost, and inventory.
• Ensure all supply chain elements are prepared for launch.
• Monitor post‑launch performance and stabilise operations quickly.

Continuous Improvement & Transformation

• Champion a culture of continuous improvement across the end‑to‑end supply chain.
• Identify opportunities to simplify, standardise, and optimise processes.
• Use data insights to prioritise and deliver sustainable improvements.
• Lead or support strategic transformation programmes.
• Drive structured change management, communication, and training.

Key Success Metrics

• OTIF service performance
• Back order reduction and resolution speed
• Forecast accuracy and bias
• Inventory performance (turns, obsolescence, working capital)
• Logistics cost efficiency
• Supplier reliability
• Process effectiveness and decision‑making quality