Highlights of Regional Supply Chain Manager Position

This significant position is responsible for implementing corporate procurement strategies at multiple sites. The incumbent will join an organization that realizes that it’s profitability is very much reliant on a top performing supply chain management team. This will be a key role in the local implementation of the organization’s supply chain management philosophies, strategies, and business practices. Because of the significant responsibility with this role, it maintains very high exposure reporting to the Global Procurement Director.

Company Information

The client is a stable, established, diversified company with a global presence, and a strong tie to US manufacturing. The specialty products they manufacture are used in a variety of industrial applications including ceramics and refractories. In fact, they are the only global producer of one group of materials used in those applications. Overall, they employ over 900 people in 20 locations worldwide. The client implements a business system that is based on the management concepts of Toyota along with the principles of Six Sigma. Overall then, this is a company dedicated to longevity via continuous improvement to an already proven business record.

Key Responsibilities for Regional Supply Chain Manager Position

• Responsible for directing and supervising all processes along the Supply Chain in North America, including procurement, order fulfillment, logistics, shipping and warehouse management in order to support top and bottom line growth.
• This role requires strong coaching and leadership skills paired with the talent to manage multiple locations.
• Develop and implement purchasing strategies to aggregate direct and indirect purchases in line with the global purchasing objectives.
• Map out and satisfy internal customer needs.
• Optimize inventory levels (engineering stores, raw materials, Finished Goods) and thereby improve working capital.
• Secure reliable and cost effective supplies of direct and indirect goods and services for the N.A. region.
• Develop negotiation strategies, manage plant contract negotiation process and implement and manage agreements.
• Plant/regional/global maximization of aggregation’s level that provides the leverage for competitive cost advantages.
• Maintain productive and proactive communication with all stakeholders of SCM processes and between the SCM teams
• Develop and implement effective regional plan to extend and monitor longer payment terms where appropriate.
• Responsible for process documentation, training and auditing to ensure compliance with all internal and external rules and regulations.
• Identify improvement potential in the local supply chain processes and value flow and explore possible solutions.
• Determine warehouse requirements for trade material (store, buffer & safety sizes) as well as buffer sizes for plant inventory.
• Proactively manage local SCM costs and drive cost savings.
• Liaise with local authorities ensuring compliance with rules and regulations on import/export activities.
• Manage vendor performance.
• Develop alternative resources for warehousing, logistics routes, and logistics services.
• Understand the Business System (ABS) and use the principles & rules in all daily activities, this includes but is not limited to standardized work, leveling, inventory management, etc
• Area EBIT improvements: Reduce costs by pursuing the aggregation and negotiation of purchases (at local/regional/global levels) and by using new purchasing tools for negotiations, ie auctions, consortiums, target negotiations, etc.
• Area cash flow improvements: Achieve raw materials inventory targets and anticipate up-fluctuations through permanent coordination and follow-up. Improve the payables through follow-up, regional policies and continuous improvements at the local, regional and global levels on direct and indirect purchases.
• Secure supply: Manage and direct N.A. procurement of materials/services utilizing strategic supplier selection, source allocation, and development of emerging suppliers.
• Effective utilization of people and effective communications: Assure the effective usage of SCM teams (at local/regional/global levels) to ensure positive working relationships and communication regarding SCM activities (internally and externally) – including setting and communicating budgets for N.A. direct and indirect expenditure.
• N.A. Procurement Staff: Provide training and development opportunities. Assist group to comply with safety, trade compliance, financial control and quality policies and procedures.
• N.A. Supply Chain Staff: Provide coaching on day to day performance; act as support to remove barriers and be liaison between global an local supply chain staff.

Qualifications and/or Requirements

• They are looking for two types of candidates (both need leadership skills) – Individual who comes from an excellent strategic sourcing background or an individual who has depth within supply chain (described above).
• Travel percentage – Wasn’t given a % however just know that the individual is responsible for three facilities so they would have to travel more than usual
• “Must” – leadership skills – the three facilities need help with all of their supply chain needs along with its employees – “They need motivation” (Direction)
• Set Vision and Strategy – create and deliver a vision of the future to maximize company performance. Establish and commit to strategies and a course of action to accomplish that long-range vision. Communicate a clear view of the desired future state.
• Build our Organization and Inspire Our People – Attract and grow people to maximize the collective skills of the organization. Inspire and motivate them to achieve the organization’s strategic intent, vision and goals. Create and sustain the organization and structure needed to support our people and business strategies.
• Know the Business – Understand customers, markets, business operations and emerging issues. Base decisions on facts, experience and logical assumption taking into consideration opportunity for gain, resources, constraints, risk/reward and organizational values.
• Drive for Results – Establish high goals for organization success and personal accomplishment. Lead to meet or exceed those goals. Create a nimble organization that executes well and makes speed in achieving high quality results a competitive advantage for client.
• Make the Difficult Decisions – Make timely decisions in the face of obstacles, difficulties and challenges. Act decisively demonstrating confidence and the strength of one’s convictions. Commit the organization’s resources to achieve the company’s strategies taking calculated, well-thought out risks when necessary.
• Encourage Open Exchange of Ideas and Knowledge – Create a culture of open, honest communication where all are encouraged and feel free to express their views.
• Analytical – Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs work flows and procedures.
• Customer Service – Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.
• Interpersonal Skills – Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others’ ideas and tries new things.
• Integrity – maintains, promotes and models social, ethical and organizational norms; firmly adheres to codes of conduct and ethical principles.
• Teamwork – Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone’s efforts to succeed; Works effectively and cooperatively with others; establishes and maintains good working relationships with internal and external partners to facilitate the accomplishment of work goals / objectives.
• Change Management – Develops workable implementation plans; Communicates changes effectively; Builds commitment and overcomes resistance; Prepares and supports those affected by change; Monitors transition and evaluates results.
• Quality Management – Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Adaptability – Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events; Maintains effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or the work environment, adjusting effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements or cultures.
• Innovation – Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others’ attention.
• Delegation – Delegates work assignments; Matches the responsibility to the person; Gives authority to work independently; Sets expectations and monitors delegated activities; Provides recognition for results.
• Leadership – Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well; effectively influences actions and opinions of others; Accepts feedback from others; Gives appropriate recognition to others.
• Managing People – Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement; Takes responsibility for subordinates’ activities; Develops subordinates’ skills and encourages growth; Solicits and applies customer feedback (internal and external).
• Judgment – Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
• Motivation – Sets and achieves challenging goals; Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; Measures self against standard of excellence.

About the Author:

The Teldar Group is an Executive Search and Recruiting Firm specializing in placing professionals in Procurement, Strategic Sourcing, Purchasing, Logistics and Supply Chain positions.

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