REGIONAL HUMAN RESOURCES BUSINESS PARTNER – MANUFACTURING DIVISION (FULLTIME 5 DAYS OR PART TIME 4 DAYS AVAILABLE)

“Excellent opportunity for Generalist HR professional to join manufacturing division of global plc.”

C£35-40000 + Car Allowance + Benefits

Location: West Midlands 

Commutable from Walsall, Wolverhampton, Telford, Stourbridge, Halesowen, Shrewsbury, Bromsgrove, Lichfield,  Birmingham, Kidderminster, Stafford, Stone, Tamworth, Stoke on Trent, Droitwich, Redditch, Worcester, Coventry, Sutton Coldfield, Coleshill 

Our client, a division of a global plc, is a market leader in the specifications sales led manufacture and supply of mechanical security and service access solutions to the industrial and commercial sector.  They are seeking to appoint a Regional Human Resources Business Partner who will be based from our client’s head office in the West Midlands.  You will also be required to travel to a manufacturing facility in Warwickshire on a once or twice weekly basis for meetings and with occasional once per month visits to two other facilities in the Home Counties.  You will report to the Group HR Director and also the Managing Director of the division, as an integral part of the divisional leadership team.

This is a fantastic career development opportunity for a confident, self-motivated and ambitious HR generalist keen to take on a regional role within a growing division.

The HR Business Partner is required to deliver a comprehensive, high quality, proactive and value adding HR service to the division and its three manufacturing and production facilities.  The HR Business Partner will provide professional HR support to the site management teams, advising on a range of HR issues including employee relations, statutory/mandatory training plans, talent management, succession planning, supporting employee development, driving and supporting effective communications, employee engagement, performance management, dealing with disciplinary and grievance cases, managing sickness absence.  The HR Business Partner will also be part of a national HR team, working on a range of cross functional projects, and will be responsible for implementing and operationalising Group HR policies and initiatives throughout the division.  

The Role:

• Deliver a comprehensive HR service to the division and its three manufacturing/production facilities, ensuring the effective application and full compliance with people policies, practices and procedures.
• Directly support the divisional leadership with HR advice and coaching, being seen as a “trusted advisor”, able to objectively assess, influence and constructively challenge when necessary.
• Successful management of employee relations e.g. managing absence, disciplinary matters – conduct and capability, compliance, grievances. 
• Drive effective performance management through the coaching of line managers on dealing with performance management issues.
• Responsible for providing the business with regular management information reports to support improvement of measures e.g. sickness, overtime. 
• Delivery of appropriate contractual documents relating to terminations, appointments and employment variations through liaison with the HO HR function.
• Advising and supporting line managers on selection and recruitment decisions including the completion of the necessary recruitment requests, creation of job descriptions/person specification, management of vacancy advertising, selection process, and interview panel participation. 
• Ensure that there is fairness and consistency in reward and benefits across the site in recruitment and promotions.
• Participating in training activities, encouraging and supporting staff in their training and development needs
• Undertaking safety and healthy duties commensurate with the job and working with Safety, Health and Environmental function to ensure site compliance.
• Support divisional succession and talent planning to compliment Group picture.
• Responsibility for the administration of employee surveys and feedback processes 
• Support the collation, analysis, and implementation of the annual training plan to ensure delivery against statutory and business requirements.
• Proactive in supporting safe working through Safety, Health and Environmental initiatives.

The Ideal Candidate:

• University degree educated in a relevant business or HR related subject (ideally but candidates with degrees in other subjects and relevant HR experience will also be considered)
• Qualified to/currently working towards CIPD level 5 as a minimum.
• HR Generalist experience gained within an industrial manufacturing unit or FMCG or engineering or possibly logistics environment
• Computer Literate in MS Office packages and use of Databases 
• Excellent interpersonal skills.  Accuracy and attention to detail
• Excellent Written & Verbal communication skills, including Report writing.
• Able to create a positive site team culture and demonstrate leadership and influence within the business.
• Able to think ahead and take action to ensure team skills and capabilities meet future business needs; understand the aspiration and potential of the teams and identify and develop potential.
• Strong capability to influence others, sell your own ideas by linking them to other people’s values, goals or ideas; willingly and confidently communicate issues and ideas to gain senior management support; sell the benefits behind decisions and changes.
• Able to build a positive team culture; build relationships with other teams across the business to share ideas, break down silos and maximise performance; must put the ‘company good’ before any individual ‘local gain’; must implement ideas to improve team dynamics and team spirit.
• Have a relentless desire and hunger to improve and innovate. Encourage the wider business to improve performance.
• Able to demonstrate confidence with a wide range of colleagues, stakeholders and shareholders; maintain confidence and stay calm during difficult situations; make decisions that will be unpopular whilst explaining the rationale for these.
• Flexibility with ability to adapt team approach in line with a more strategic perspective; take a proactive approach, to think ahead and across the business.
• Able to step back from a complex situation in order to gain a better understanding; understand the impact of problems and solutions on yourself and others; anticipate obstacles by solving the problem and to implement solutions.
• Will possess a full driving licence.

Our client offers excellent training and support and the opportunity to really make your mark in a fast paced, high performing and dynamic market leading environment.  Career prospects are excellent.
 

TEAM LEADER - Testing and Certification Services 

“Career development and leadership opportunity for commercially focused Test & Certification specialist with best in class experience gained in mechanical or electrical test engineering or other disciplines, Eg biochemical, metallurgical, forensics etc to UK and International Standards”

Salary:  c£28500 + Excellent Large Company Benefits 

Location:  Wolverhampton 

Commutable from Birmingham, Kidderminster, Stafford, Stone, Walsall, Wolverhampton, Wednesbury, Stourbridge, Halesowen, Bromsgrove, Lichfield, Tamworth, Stoke on Trent, Telford, Shrewsbury, Droitwich, Redditch, Worcester, Coventry, Warwick, Sutton Coldfield, Coleshill, Stockport, Crewe

Our client is a well-established and respected manufacturer of fixtures, fittings and components both mechanical and electronic in the home and building infrastructure products sector. Highly acquisitive and experiencing excellent growth, the company is based in a brand-new office, distribution centre and test centre complex in the West Midlands close to the M6/M54 but has operational facilities and subsidiaries nationally and globally.   

They are now seeking to strengthen their Test Centre team with the appointment of a Team Leader to supervise daily testing services operations.  Our client provides testing and certification services on an in-house basis to internal group companies and also to external customers including other manufacturers of mechanical, electrical and electronic components and products, in line with industry and national and international standards and certifications.  The role also encompasses involvement in product certification schemes to ensure continuity of compliance and to maximise value from product certifications.

Testing equipment is pneumatic, hydraulic and electrical/electronic and would cover tensile testing as well as a wide range of other tests.  

You will supervise day to day activities of a small team of test engineers ensuring that internal and external customer needs are met, providing an exemplary service, managing product certification schemes to ensure continuity of compliance and maximum value from product certifications.

 THE ROLE

• Schedule the daily and weekly tasks for the testing team to meet external and internal customer requirements. 
• Promote and maintain professional standards of service. 
• Establish and manage the progression of the development objectives for the test engineering team. 
• Provide professional and timely communication of test scheduling and manage the timely and accurate generation of test reports. 
• Ensure routine inspections, calibration, safety and maintenance processes are effectively performed. 
• Provide support to the Testing & Certification Manager ensuring ongoing compliance and accreditation to all relevant testing and laboratory management standards.
• You will work with Test Engineers, Field Service Engineers, Design Engineers, Sales Team, Product Manager and Quality Engineers. 
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety and environmental requirements and safe systems of work and maintain and update safety, health and environmental provisions as required. 
• Prepare Monthly KPI’s including Activity Report, Testing Services Schedule, Testing Services booking Log and Record of component performance issues. 

KEY SKILLS and BACKGROUND

• A background in mechanical engineering or manufacturing and ideally, but not essentially, with experience of mechanical testing. You might be involved in prototype/new product development or other disciplines Eg. Biochemical, forensics, metallurgical etc. 
• Proven capability to manage a fluctuating & variable workload to firm deadlines. 
• Competent to manage a small team, including task allocation and development. 
• Good motivation, supervision and coaching skills in order to get the most from a disciplined team.
• Ability to promote professional conduct at all times. 
• Good communication skills with all stakeholders including customers, accreditation bodies, suppliers and colleagues.
• Capability to interpret and perform test specifications within disciplined processes and procedures and with an innovative/questioning manner. 
• Competent with IT systems including MS Word, Excel & Powerpoint. 
   

INTERNATIONAL/EXPATRIATE ROLE – HEAD OF LOGISTICS SOLUTIONS DESIGN – THIRD PARTY CONTRACT LOGISTICS

“Very innovative Warehouse and Transport Solutions Design specialist with experience of Robotic Process Automation and similar technologies required to lead, coach and develop country solutions design team.”

£Excellent + Bonus + Benefits & Relocation Assistance

South East Asia – Full Relocation Assistance Available

Our client is a global multinational.  A true market leader, they have a strong culture of safety, customer focus, quality and reliability.

Highly successful and long-established with industrial expertise across a number of verticals, our client has a global network of operations and integrated state-of-the-art information technology across warehousing and transport.   

As result of dynamic growth our client is seeking a very innovative, degree educated, Head of Solutions Design with “hands on” warehouse and transport solutions design experience to lead, coach and develop its country solutions design team.  

We are seeking individuals with experience of various types of warehousing and storage including robotic process automation, automatic storage and retrieval systems, transport network design including fleet design, track and trace and route optimisation.  

The Role:

• Managing a team of Solutions Managers and Analysts, you will support the country Business Development and Implementation teams in developing innovative, cost effective and profitable logistics and supply chain solutions for new and existing multinational and regional clients.
• Through strategic consulting assignments, you will work at both operational and Board level to identify business issues focused on process improvement and cost effectiveness; propose value adding and innovative solutions and subsequently manage the delivery of projects.
• This will entail analysis of existing inhouse and customer operations and the subsequent design of proposals, managing resource and cross functional teams during implementation, planning and solutions delivery.  In addition, you will develop the supply chain solutions design strategy and manage the departmental budget.
• As Head of Solutions Design your role will be broad - data analyst, strategist, salesperson, key account manager, material handling consultant, warehousing and transport network subject matter expert, supply chain and logistics systems specialist, management accountant, facilitator, leader, mentor, coach and project manager.
• You will possess extensive warehousing and transport solutions design, planning, projects, consultancy, value chain engineering and productivity improvement expertise.  You will be highly proficient in liaising, presenting and working at Board level both internally and externally with key multinational client accounts.  
• You will direct and manage your team in multiple implementation and re-engineering projects enabling cost and service improvements whilst at the same time managing teams involved in new operational start-ups.

The Ideal Applicant:

• The ideal applicant will be educated to degree/post graduate level and will possess a substantial and demonstrative track record of successful project delivery gained within a third-party contract logistics solutions design/projects environment.  
• We are inviting applications from either highly accomplished professionals seeking to consolidate and apply their solutions design, leadership and coaching experience in a new and challenging growth environment or alternatively someone with at least 5-8 years fast track operational and solutions design experience who wishes to further develop their managerial experience by heading up and grow a team of solutions design specialists.
• Experience of transport planning, supply chain optimisation and warehouse design tools as well as formal project management capabilities will be a prerequisite.  Experience of managing multi-disciplined teams is essential.
• It is imperative that you will be possess a portfolio of successful projects completed across, for example, retail and FMCG, industrial, technology or pharmaceutical verticals.  
• Most importantly you will also have a demonstrable track record of success in coaching and developing a team of Solutions Design Analysts and Managers, ensuring a consistent, best in class approach.
• Previous international solutions design and solutions design and implementation project team leadership would be extremely advantageous as would cultural experience of visiting South East Asia on business or vacation.

Please note: This is an expatriate career development role on a permanent local contract and therefore you will be required to relocate to a country in South East Asia (shortlisted candidates will be advised of the precise location at the outset of the recruitment process) to be based there full time.  Our client will provide full relocation assistance.  Our client offers a very competitive salary and benefits package including bonus and private healthcare.  Please note however that although housing allowance may be provided, school fees are not provided as part of the package.
 

SENIOR BUYER/TEAMLEITER (m/w/d) EINKAUF – EINKAUFSTEAM FÜR TECHNOLOGIE- UND KAPITALPROJEKTE

„Beteiligen Sie sich an der kontinuierlichen Verbesserung – eine spannende Position für einen erfahrenen Senior Buyer (m/w/d) mit Hochschulabschluss und fließenden Deutschkenntnissen wartet auf Sie– Führung des Einkaufsteams für Technologie- und Kapitalprojekte für ein globales Energieunternehmen“

€ Sehr attraktiv + Ausgezeichnete Vorteile

Nordrhein-Westfalen – Unterstützung beim Umzug

Unser Kunde ist ein weltweit führendes Unternehmen im Sektor Energie, Strom- und Wärmeerzeugung.  

Im Rahmen einer strategischen Umgestaltung der Beschaffungsfunktion über seine globalen Betriebseinheiten hinweg sucht unser Kunde einen innovativen und kreativen Senior Buyer/Einkaufsteamleiter (m/w/d), um in Deutschland Category-Management-Lösungen bereichsübergreifend umzusetzen. Sie leiten ein Einkaufsteam und sind für indirekte Ausgaben, Projekte im Bereich Ingenieurswesen und Finanzierung zuständig.  

Wir suchen nach hoch motivierten Kandidatinnen und Kandidaten, die auf Veränderungen ausgerichtet sind und die dazu beitragen, die Beschaffungskapazität unseres Kunden maßgeblich auszubauen. Es erwartet Sie die volle Unterstützung bei der Umsetzung Ihrer strategischen Pläne in einem anspruchsvollen Unternehmen, das sich durch das unablässige Streben nach Exzellenz auszeichnet und bei der Bereitstellung von sicheren, nachhaltigen Dienstleistungen für seine Kunden keine Kompromisse eingeht. Die Verbesserung der Flexibilität der Leistungseinheit „Procurement“ und des Unternehmens insgesamt innerhalb eines stark reglementierten Umfelds ist eine äußerst attraktive Herausforderung.

Sie haben ein Geschick für kulturübergreifende Zusammenarbeit und können wesentliche Veränderungen in einem reglementierten Umfeld bewirken. Auf die Erreichung dieser teilweise miteinander konkurrierenden Ziele hinzuarbeiten und gleichzeitig einen Mehrwert für den Kunden zu generieren, schafft ein anregendes und herausforderndes Umfeld, das Sie jeden Tag aufs Neue auf die Probe stellt. 

Ihre Aufgaben:

• Die Vision ist es, ein globales Beschaffungsteam einzurichten, dessen Mitglieder von betrieblichen und funktionalen Business Partnern als vertrauensvolle Berater wertgeschätzt werden. Dieses Team setzt kommerzielle und Supply-Chain-Lösungen um und regt so zu einem Umdenken an und treibt betriebsinternen Wandel voran. 

In Deutschland beinhaltet das:

• Bereitstellung neuer strategischer Optionen; 
• Anpassen der Verhaltensweisen von Lieferpartnern und Leistungserwartungen; 
• Schaffen geeigneter Beziehungen und Neudefinieren der Erwartungen an die Lieferantenbeziehungen mit den Unternehmen.   

• Ihre Fähigkeit, die diesbezüglichen Category-Strategien umzusetzen, ist ausschlaggebend für die Rolle des Senior Buyer und Teamleiters in Deutschland. 
• Sie übernehmen eine Schlüsselrolle bei der Zusammenstellung eines lokalen Beschaffungsteams und dessen Realisierung der Beschaffungsvision. In Ihrer Rolle prägen Sie die Beziehung zwischen dem Einkauf und prominenten Business Leadern vor Ort, unter anderem dem Anlagenmanagement und den Finanzen, und gewährleisten, dass Einkaufs- und Betriebsziele aufeinander abgestimmt sind. 
• Abgesehen vom Management eines Ausgabenbereichs sind Sie für die tägliche Führung eines Teams zuständig, dessen Aufgaben die strategische Beschaffung und Category-Planung bis hin zur P2P-Umsetzung abdecken. 
• Sie vertreten den Geschäftsbereich Deutschland bei globalen Category-Management-Aktivitäten und beim Team für das globale Beschaffungswesen. 
• Sie leiten den Ausbau globaler Kapazitäten und neuer Kapazitäten für unsere Funktion. Dies ist eine ausgezeichnete Gelegenheit für einen neuen Manager am Ausbau von Führungskompetenzen sowie der eigenen Beschaffungs- und Category-Management-Kompetenzen in einer globalen Matrixorganisation zu arbeiten. 
• Sie leiten das Einkaufsteam erfolgreich zur Zufriedenheit der Business Partner im Betrieb in Deutschland und zur Verbesserung des Tagesgeschäfts als Erfolgsfaktor. 

Ihr Profil:

• Sie verfügen über ein abgeschlossenes Studium im Bereich Maschinenbau oder Naturwissenschaften oder einem vergleichbaren Fach sowie einen Abschluss auf Masterstufe im Beschaffungswesen und/oder einen abgeschlossenen Masterstudiengang.  
• Mindestens 5-7 Jahre Fast-Track-Berufserfahrung als Senior Buyer, Category Manager oder im Beschaffungsmanagement mit Schwerpunkt indirekte Kategorien und Engineering.
• Mindestens 18 Monate Führungserfahrung im Bereich Beschaffung zwecks Leitung eines Teams erfahrener Einkäufer.
• Erfahrung in bereichsübergreifender Zusammenarbeit in einer globalen multinationalen Matrixorganisation. Dies umfasst beispielsweise die Sektoren Öl und Gas, Energie, Hilfsstoffe, Bergbau und Förderung von Mineralien oder die kapitalintensive industrielle Fertigung von Stahl oder Baumaterialien. Erfahrung in den Sektoren FMCG oder Pharmazeutik wird ebenso berücksichtigt, wenn der Schwerpunkt auf der indirekten Beschaffung, Projekten im Ingenieurswesen oder der Finanzierung lag. 
• Sie setzen sich engagiert für einen Wandel ein und haben während Ihrer bisherigen beruflichen Laufbahn gezeigt, dass Sie bereichsübergreifende Teams mit Mitarbeitenden aus den Bereichen globale/europaweite Beschaffung, Technologie und Projektmanagement geschickt und zielsicher einsetzen können.
• Die Vorbereitung, Präsentation und Begründung von Geschäftsszenarien für die obere Führungsebene nehmen Sie souverän und kompetent in die Hand.
• Sie besitzen einen erstklassigen Leistungsausweis was den Aufbau erfolgreicher interner und externer Geschäftsbeziehungen angeht und tragen so zur Sicherung der Position unseres Kunden als weltweit führende Organisation im Bereich Beschaffungswesen bei.
• Sie bringen Erfahrung im Bereich von Beschaffungssystemen und  technologien mit sowie die Fähigkeit, betriebliche Maßnahmen zu verankern, die sicherstellen, dass Verträge zum Erfolg führen. 
• Sie verfügen über vertiefte Erfahrung im Einkauf und in den Bereichen Projektmanagement, Lieferantenbereitschaft und Management der Lieferantenbasis sowie über Verhandlungsgeschick im Tagesgeschäft.
• Ihre Führungskompetenz in einer multinationalen Matrixorganisation, die Zusammenarbeit im Team und Ihr ergebnisorientiertes Einbeziehen Anderer haben sich bewährt.
• Eine ausgeprägte Affinität für kaufmännische Belange und die strategische Beschaffung sowie ausgezeichnete Projektmanagementfähigkeiten und Verhandlungsgeschick in der Fertigungsindustrie zeichnen Sie aus.
• Sie übernehmen gerne Verantwortung, stellen sich Herausforderungen und treffen Entscheidungen.
• Sie bringen Eigeninitiative und Teamgeist mit und blühen in einem reglementierten Umfeld auf.
• Sie schaffen ein positives Arbeitsumfeld, indem Sie Ihre funktionale/technische Expertise und Erfahrung zeigen und an Mitarbeitende weitergeben.
• Sie haben eine ausgeprägte Kommunikationskompetenz in Wort und Schrift und legen Wert auf zwischenmenschliche Kontakte, die Darstellung der Gruppe und Teammoderation.
• Fließendes Geschäftsenglisch in Wort und Schrift und Deutsch (Muttersprache) runden Ihr Profil ab.

Im Gegenzug dafür bietet unser Kunde äußerst attraktive Gehaltsaussichten und ein erstklassiges Leistungspaket sowie die Möglichkeit, Ihre Karriere innerhalb eines marktführenden Unternehmens voranzutreiben. Die Vorstellungsgespräche finden in Deutschland statt.

Bewerben Sie sich ab sofort mit Ihrem Lebenslauf unter Angabe der Kennnummer J13631 bei applications@martinveasey.com  Tel.: 0044 1905 381 320 www.martinveasey.com

PLEASE CAN YOU SEND US YOUR CV IN BOTH GERMAN AND ENGLISH.
 

SENIOR BUYER/PURCHASING TEAM LEADER- ENGINEERING & CAPITAL PROJECTS BUYING TEAM

“Exciting continuous improvement role for fluent German Speaking, Degree educated, experienced Senior Buyer to lead Engineering & Capital Projects Buying Team for Global Energy Company”

C€Very Attractive + Excellent Benefits

North Rhine-Westphalia – Relocation Assistance available

Our client is a global player within the specialist energy, electricity and power generation sector.  
As part of a strategic transformation of the procurement function across its global operating units, our client seeks to strengthen its German team with the appointment of an innovative and creative Senior Buyer and Purchasing Team Leader for its indirect, engineering and capital projects buying team.  

This is a key appointment at Country level and you will be based at a large processing plant working closely with senior cross functional stakeholders at executive leader level including Plant Manager and Finance Manager.  

In addition, you will also work closely with centralised global category management, project procurement and P2P functions across Europe.  The ideal candidate will possess a track record as a Senior Buyer, Category Manager or Purchasing Manager specialising in indirect and engineering categories.   Experience of managing a team of Buyers will be essential for success in this role.  

Experience will ideally have been gained within a best in class global multinational, matrix organisation.  Experience of SAP would be advantageous.

The Role:

• Lead, manage, motivate, coach, develop and empower a team of three Buyers specialising in indirect and engineering based categories.
• Plan, organise, lead and control the work of the German purchasing team to ensure that objectives are achieved and services are delivered to the customers/stakeholders.
• Contribute to purchasing strategy for engineering and capital projects
• Work closely with business leaders to position the business for future growth
• Leverage expertise and know how to improve purchasing’s critical processes
• Define and implement procurement and supply chain procedures and policies in line with group and category strategies
• Shape and manage supplier relationships to ensure value is delivered including value definition, value creation including opportunity development and supply chain execution process; value capture including governance and compliance management and value protection to mitigate risk. 
• Management of purchasing, tactical buying, sourcing and supplier management activities to achieve cost efficient, accurate and on time purchases, including compliance to corporate purchasing policies
• Improve value adding capabilities of the indirect and engineering procurement function through best practice, cost savings, cost avoidance and spend control
• Identify, drive, implement and sustain indirect and engineering procurement focused process improvements and cost efficiency
• Actively seek improvements in supply chain activities and performance, primarily through coordination and collaboration with Supply Chain and Category Management team
• Develop reports enabling tracking of Supply Chain performance against KPI's
• Negotiate and implement supplier SLA's to meet business requirements
• Establish, implement and manage system to evaluate, monitor and report supplier scorecard performance
• Manage supplier audits from an operational capability standpoint
• Lead the purchasing team to deliver business reviews with key suppliers
• Lead the purchasing team to manage supplier accreditation activities, customer supplier support and issue resolution related to requisitions, purchase orders and goods receipts

The Ideal Candidate:

• University Degree educated in Engineering or Science or similar plus Post Graduate level qualification in Procurement and/or Master’s Degree.  
• At least 5-7 years consistent, fast track career development within a Senior Buyer, Category Manager or Procurement Management roles focused on indirect and engineering categories.
• At least 18 months leadership experience within procurement in order to manage an experienced team of buyers.
• Experience of working cross functionally within a global multinational matrix environment. This could include oil and gas, energy, utilities, mining and minerals exploration, or capital-intensive industrial manufacturing sectors such as steel or construction materials.  FMCG or pharmaceutical sector experience will also be considered if the focus is on indirect, engineering or capital projects focused procurement. 
• You be highly motivated to deliver change and transformation and your career to date will be characterised by your ability to engage cross functional teams and global/pan European procurement, engineering and project management colleagues to achieve this.
• You will be confident and experienced in preparing, presenting and justifying business cases to senior executive level.
• Track record of building successful relationships internally and externally to contribute to the development of our client as a world-class procurement organisation
• A knowledge of Procurement systems and technologies and the ability to put operational measures in place to ensure contracts deliver brilliantly. 
• Strong purchasing background with proven experience in the areas of project management, supplier readiness and day to day supply base management and demonstrated negotiations capability
• Demonstrated ability to lead in a multinational matrix organisation, work collaboratively with colleagues, and get results through others
• Excellent skills and experience in purchasing operations and strategic sourcing with ability to demonstrate strong project management and negotiation skills in a manufacturing environment
• Must welcome responsibility, challenge and decision making 
• Self starter and a team player who will thrive in a regulated environment
• Creates a positive working environment by demonstrating and sharing functional/technical expertise/knowledge
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, emphasising interpersonal, group presentation and team facilitation skills
• Fluent in spoken and written Business English and (native) German language

In return our client offers a very competitive salary and blue-chip benefits package and the opportunity to develop your career within a market leader.   Interviews will be held in Germany.
 

HEAD OF TRANSPORT PLANNING – PARAGON SPECIALIST

“Excellent opportunity for experienced and graduate calibre transport network planning & Paragon transport systems specialist to lead brand new transport management centre”

£Excellent + Blue Chip Benefits

South East Asia 

Our client is global market leader.  As part of an Asia Pac transformation programme to improve and drive transport network synergies, centralised planning, visibility and control, our client is seeking a Head of Transport Planning who is also a very experienced Paragon transport planning systems specialist.

As Head of Transport Planning you will lead and manage a new centralised Transport Planning Management Centre, planning our client’s very large-scale, 1500 vehicle + fleet. This will include planning inhouse full load networks, LCL networks and scheduling of a large pool of national sub-contractor transport partners. This is expected to grow further as part of an ambitious strategic plan. You and your team will support multiple sites and operations serving customers nationally. You will lead a team of Planning Managers and Planners.  

The ideal applicant will be of graduate calibre, in logistics, engineering or business and a strategic thinker with excellent change programme management experience. Your career history will be characterised by fast track career progression and demonstrable achievements in transport planning excellence.  Most importantly, you will possess in-depth and consistent experience of large-scale in house and sub contract fleet planning and management across multiple locations, gained within a multinational high velocity Retail or FMCG or third-party logistics environment.

This is high profile and senior customer facing role and you will play a key role in understanding and fulfilling customer transport network requirements.  You will be diplomatic and confident with the experience and credibility to successfully question and extract information and constructively challenge your internal and external stakeholders and your operational colleagues.

You will be logical and data driven in understanding problems and developing practical solutions.  This will include setting KPI’s, targets and goals for monitoring and evaluating operations and cost effectiveness.  You will also drive and control the effective use of resources in order to stay within budget. 

You will ensure statutory and legal compliance developing a culture focused on safety, quality, service excellence, integrity and cost consciousness.  

The Role:

• Leading the Planning Team at a new Transport Management Center.
• Using Paragon Software, you will plan and design optimised schedules creating the greatest value for our client and its customers. 
• Interpret data, understand complex demand planning and create optimal transport solutions across multiple customers, business divisions and operational locations.
• Create meaningful business intelligence reports for Transport Directors and create continual improvement solutions.
• Developing strategies and use state of the art systems to optimize fleet and create innovative transport solutions for multiple business sector. 
• Manage planning, solutions, costs and reporting. Create planning schedules that achieve contractual service and performance levels and continue to improve transport models to beat the budgets and develop innovation.
• Deliver operational strategies using Paragon transport planning software.
• Reviews and updates KPIs, targets, and goals within Paragon for monitoring and evaluating operations and cost effectiveness.
• Develop Paragon transport software Super Users and upskilling the planning team.
• Understand and drive optimal solutions within transport national planning execution.
• Deliver continuous and unrelenting drive for improvement within our client’s transport and distribution operations. Including logical roll out strategies to achieve ambitious targets.
• Communicate effectively and constructively and diplomatically challenges and addresses site operational issues or people orientated issues in an open and collaborative manner.
• Lead from the front with an open and approachable “hands on” coaching and mentoring management style, which encourages empowerment and accountability and engenders enthusiasm and respect.
• Accountable to Board level for the delivery of operational and financial results

The Ideal Candidate:

• University degree educated in logistics or business or engineering or science.  A Master’s Degree in logistics and supply chain or transport planning would be highly advantageous.
• An experienced transport management professional experienced in running large primary and secondary road transport fleets both in house and via third party 3PL and 4PL partnerships.
• A Paragon transport software specialist.  This is a prerequisite.
• At least 7-10 years transport operations management and transport network planning experience.
• Experience of transport network planning, transport control tower concepts, transport operations management and project management.
• A track record of network development including implementation of centralised planning, transport management systems, network consolidation and integration.
• Transport operations leadership, customer relationship management, and project management expertise.
• This experience may predominantly have been gained within 3PL contract logistics focused on both primary and secondary road transport or large retail or other large FMCG or Industrial multinational, multi-site, complex and high velocity transport operations.
• Highly analytical and data driven with experience of transport management, routing and planning software packages.  An advanced user of Excel.  A project management qualification would be highly advantageous.
• Fast track career progression to date with the ambitious and desire to progress to Director level within this dynamic growth environment.
   

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE – WAREHOUSING & LOGISTICS 

“Career development opportunity for Degree/Masters educated Operational Excellence specialist with a track record of lean CI and programme management within multinational warehousing and supply chain operations.”

£Excellent + Blue Chip Benefits

South East Asia 

Our client is a global multinational.  A true market leader, they have a strong culture of safety, customer focus, quality and reliability.  

Highly successful and long-established with industrial expertise across a number of verticals, our client has a global network of operations and integrated state-of-the-art information technology across warehousing and transport.  

As a result of internal promotion, they are seeking a Director of Operational Excellence.  As the Director of Operational Excellence, you will combine strategic insight and execution excellence. You will be responsible for the overall delivery, implementation and maintenance of the operational excellence programme across multiple countries and supply chain (predominantly warehousing) operations.  This will include facilitating the lean, continuous improvement process, training local teams, ensuring the sustainability of local compliance, coaching local Operational Excellence Programme Managers in managing improvement projects and training the local operations and management teams, continuous identification and development of best practice.

Specifically, this will include strategies for lead time reduction, faster time to market, process excellence and product lifecycle management.  Our client’s objective is enhanced service levels and efficiency throughout its supply chains, through best practice sharing and a culture of continuous improvement.  This includes increased transport, warehousing, management and supplier-related efficiency via enhanced traceability systems, optimised costs and inventory levels.  Our client’s aim is to mitigate supply chain risks through high flexibility and adaptability to change and a reduced negative impact on the environment via its sustainability initiatives.

Our client is seeking a university degree/Master’s degree educated Engineering or Logistics professional with a track record of Operational Excellence focused on large, multi-site manual, automated and semi-automated warehousing and logistics operations. This may include end-to-end fulfilment solutions, including order management, inventory planning, order picking and packaging, value-added logistics services such as repair services and spare parts or production or retail or ecommerce logistics. This experience may have been gained either inhouse within a multinational retailer, manufacturer or third-party contract logistics environment.  Candidates must have specifically worked within a lean, continuous improvement and operational excellence function.  Earlier operational leadership and change programme management experience must also be highly evident in your experience.  Multi country, multi-site and multinational experience are prerequisites.

You will work in partnership with highly experienced and skilled warehousing and logistics leadership colleagues to develop just-in-time and scalable solutions that optimise operations and boost productivity. You will apply best practices and management skills to improve business processes – enabling our client’s supply chains to gain a genuine competitive edge in the marketplace.  Through optimising organisational structures, improving critical material and information flows you and your Operational Excellence team will create sustainable value for the future, keeping business processes agile, smart and able to respond quickly to the pace of change.  Accordingly, your track record will include experience of end-to-end supply chain management and lean operational excellence which have driven efficiency and achieved optimum performance.

The Role:

• Lead the Operations Excellence function across a cluster of countries.
• Responsible and accountable for delivery of the agreed global agenda and value of Operational Excellence initiatives within the cluster.
• Ensure that the Operational Excellence agenda is aligned to support the business needs in each country within the cluster.
• Responsible for the Operational Excellence input to new business tenders and proposals
• Supports effective start-ups and implementations by providing resources, advice and guidance.
• Seeks commercial opportunities from promoting Operational Excellence initiatives with customers.
• Communication responsibility - to business, to customers, to employees.
• Represent the Operational Excellence agenda as a key member of the cluster senior leadership team.
• Working closely with senior colleagues in Safety, Quality, Compliance, Sustainability and HR you will be responsible for Operational Excellence across all elements of our client’s operations.
• Lead the Operational Excellence function by example, supporting the cluster senior leadership and management teams on their journey towards Lean thinking            
• Fosters a lean thinking, continuous improvement culture and relentlessly seeks opportunities for improvements on all levels within the organisation.            
• Maintains close relationship with customers from the business development phase through the customer life cycle.
• Ensures accurate management reporting from operational sites, utilising this management information to make recommendations for continuous improvement and take mitigating action.                            

The Ideal Candidate:

• University degree/Master’s degree educated in Engineering, Logistics, Business or similar
• Track record gained within a global multinational, best in class, matrix corporate environment.
• Current or very recent experience within an Operational Excellence role in APAC or Europe would be particularly advantageous.
• Previous experience of operational line management in a supply chain and logistics environment, with a strong emphasis on warehousing, will be essential to success.
• Industry sector experience could be industrial, automotive, retail, FMCG manufacturing or third-party contract logistics.
• Must demonstrate excellent and successful change and programme management experience in a culturally diverse and dynamic growth/transformational corporate environment.
• Solid understanding of the operational excellence function
• Excellent project and programme management skills ideally with a project management qualification.
• Strong leadership capability with gravitas.  Capability to deliver a compelling vision and to inspire, motivate, empower and facilitate change through direct and indirect teams. 
• Strong commercial acumen and financial capability familiar with partnering with commercial/sales teams and working closely with clients from tender to implementation and beyond. 
• Excellent experience and track record of implementing Lean methodologies and a continuous improvement.  
• Strong influencing skills and credibility with senior stakeholders, confident strategists, highly adept at presenting compelling business cases for change and improvement to board level.
• Diplomatic and mature with excellent listening skills, able to quickly assimilate a situation, analyse the data and facts and prepare a compelling plan of action taking account of all opportunities and risks.
• A fantastic team leader with the ability to work effectively and deliver successfully via direct and indirect teams within the Operational Excellence network within the organisation. 
   

ASPHALT TECHNICAL PRODUCT SUPPORT MANAGER

“Experienced Asphalt technical or Asphalt operations professional to identify and drive key account specification sales led business opportunities within value added and specialist asphalt technical product sales. Must have experience of delivering CPD presentations to Architects, Main Contractors and Specifiers”

C£40-45000 + Car/Allowance, Bonus & Benefits

North East

Newcastle Upon Tyne (Northern Field Based Remit)
Commutable Locations:  Tyne & Wear, Durham, North Yorkshire, Stockton on Tees, Northumberland

Our client is a multisite division of a large and well-respected FTSE 100 international group specialising in construction materials.  Due to impending retirement our client is now seeking an Asphalt Technical Product Support Manager.  This is an interesting and varied role covering the Northern/North East region of the UK.

As Asphalt Technical Product Support Manager, you will work closely with commercial teams to identify opportunities for business growth and upselling of non-standard valued added and special asphalt products.  Therefore, you must have at least 3-4 years asphalt technical experience gained in a design, operations or technical role.  This will be very important as you will be communicating and building relationships with asphalt technical personnel both internally and externally about specifications, additives, planning, production and asphalt technicians on site.  

You will also possess the confident personality and drive to build relationships and undertake CPD presentations to architects, local authorities, specifiers, main contractors.  Internally you will be responsible for training commercial colleagues both within internal and external sales whilst also being responsible for coordinating production including asphalt plant capability, commercial and logistics.  You will also be involved in new production innovation to meet customer requirements.  So effectively you will operate as a key account manager and a technical product specialist.  Experience of different types of bitumen, additives and polymers would be advantageous but training will be provided however core asphalt technical knowledge as a foundation skill set, as outlined above, will be a prerequisite.

The Role:

• To maximise Asphalt Value Added Product sales through identification of opportunities and technical upselling of the key benefits which asphalt value added products can deliver.
• A key customer support role within the Northern/North East Region, focussing on developing Local Authority and Main/Key Contractor relationships leading to promotion of primarily Asphalt Solutions/Value Added Products via CPD presentations, regular meetings, contract reviews, site assessments, material selection, specification and pavement design input. 
• To participate in the national technical approach / ‘technical sell’ to external specifiers, architects, contractors and local authorities to ensure Asphalt Value Added Products/Innovation become accepted for use and are ideally specified. 
• To differentiate our client from its competition by providing a unique level of service/support in terms of specification writing, product selection and sustainability advice. 
• Intelligent focussed Asphalt Value Added Product promotion based on national and local targets with based on projected profit / return at specific supply units.
• Increased volumes / wallet share from Local Authorities by becoming a supplier of choice.
• Attending Commercial meetings and identifying and supporting associated opportunities. Identifying slow moving Asphalt Value Added Products and contributing to creating action plans to improve sales.
• To participate in the practical development of new products and facilitation of any related trials
• To ensure successful launch of new products within the Region and thereafter support and monitor longer term sales progress. 
• To support commercial in the review, support and assessment of Accredited Contractors, including advice and control of the use of our client’s Value-Added Products.
• Contribute to Marketing and Client Communication newsletters
• Promote our client’s Asphalt Value Added Products at industry conferences and events 
• Leading key commercial training requirements i.e. Role to selected product range.

The Ideal Candidate:

• Currently working within construction materials sector and specifically with Asphalt/Bitumen products.
• Asphalt technical knowledge including asphalt technical operations will be a prerequisite for this role.
• Must have at least 3-4 years Asphalt technical experience gained in a design, operations or technical role.  
• Examples of qualified experience may include asphalt plant management, asphalt quality control, asphalt quality approval and inspection, paving and construction operations, asphalt technical services and field support or other relevant asphalt paving design experience.  
• Experience as an asphalt additive or asphalt speciality product field support or technical sales role would also be very relevant. 
• Ability to perform and understand asphalt volumetric mix design and quality control processes, specifications ideal.
• Working familiarity with asphalt plant operation, controls, automation and mechanisms.
• Able to communicate effectively with asphalt production, operation and construction crews and colleagues.
• Ability to perform under pressure to troubleshoot and problem solve.
• Confident personality and drive to build long term sustainable B2B relationships and undertake CPD presentations to architects, local authorities, specifiers, main contractors.
• Experience of different types of bitumen and additives and polymers would be advantageous.
• First-hand experience of operational technical duties, preferably including site operations.
• Previous experience of dealing with customer issues and preferably with existing established Local Authority contacts / relationships.
• Demonstrate strong commercial acumen and a personal hunger and drive to succeed.
• Working knowledge of Quality Assurance systems and procedures.
• Knowledge of pavement design concepts and issues.
• Planning, organising and time management skills.
• Good ability to communicate with customers and colleagues.  Collaborative and consultative style.
• Computer literate especially Excel and PowerPoint.
• Excellent longer-term career development opportunities with our multinational client into broader sales roles or into research and development, pavement design or QC.

To apply without delay, please email your CV quoting reference J13627.

SAP PROCUREMENT COORDINATOR – PROCURE TO PAY/P2P 

C£32-35000 + Excellent Benefits

Location:  North West

Commutable from Ellesmere Port, Mold, Wrexham, Birkenhead, Wallasey, Chester, Warrington, Runcorn, Widnes, Liverpool, Crewe, Knutsford, Macclesfield, South Manchester, Wigan, Newton le Willows, Leigh, Heywood, Skelmersdale.

Our client is a global player within the specialist energy, electricity and power generation sector.  
As part of a strategic transformation of the procurement function moving to a shared service and category management model across its global operating units, our client seeks to strengthen its team with the appointment of an ambitious, graduate calibre procurement professional with experience of SAP Procure to Pay/P2P.  This is a high-profile role located and you will be interacting and engaging with Category/Procurement, Finance and other key cross functional executives across the UK and mainland Europe in relation to P2P.

As SAP P2P/Procure to Pay Procurement Coordinator, operating as part of a P2P team, you will report to the European Procurement Operations Leader and will ensure the accurate and effective initiation of the SAP procure to pay/P2P process in line with contractual arrangements with suppliers.  The objective will be to ensure compliance, education and engagement in relation to procurement policies and to enable efficient transactional processing.  Specifically, you will work with European sites and their Procurement Business Partners providing operational support in relation to Procure to Pay/P2P initiation for all categories of spend.  A detailed working knowledge of SAP procurement modules will be critical to success in this role, as well as a working understanding of key supplier contracts.  Accuracy, attention to detail and efficiency of process completion are important attributes for this role.  

In your role as SAP Procurement Coordinator Procure to Pay/P2P, you will:

• Initiate the SAP Procure to Pay/P2P process, specifically the accurate conversion of purchase requisitions to purchase orders. This may include low value, low risk sourcing.
• Provide procurement operational support to procurement colleagues at European sites.
• Work closely with Category Managers and Senior Buyers in European operations in relation to supplier performance management as well as business partners and requisitioners directly.
• Ensure efficient process completion. Assist with the roll out and ongoing account management for Card Payments and/or Automation projects to reduce the number of P2P transactions required.
• Influence and challenge internal customers on procedural issues and ensure contracted supplier use. 
• Development of category data and reporting to Senior Buyers and Category Managers. 
• Contribute to improvements in requisition quality, timescales and process efficiency.
• Actively contribute to the ongoing development of functional capabilities to ensure value delivery is sustainable in the long term and functional effectiveness and efficiencies are improved on a continual basis.

The Ideal Applicant:

• Graduate calibre – minimum A level or equivalent and above. In addition, part or fully qualified in CIPS or similar Procurement qualification advantageous or willing to study.
• At least 3-5 years consistent, fast track career development in procurement and specifically SAP procurement to pay/P2P. 
• Knowledgeable in terms of the SAP Procurement Modules.
• In depth SAP procure to pay/P2P process experience.
• Strong analytical, numerical and reporting skills.
• Well developed communication skills gained within a multinational matrix organisational structure.
• Confident stakeholder engagement skills familiar with liaising with senior executives.
• Current or recent experience with a multinational organisation in similar role utilising SAP and supplier accreditation systems.
• Candidates with procure to pay experience gained within procurement or accounts payable functions seeking long term career in procurement.

In return our client offers a very competitive salary and benefits package and the opportunity to develop your career within a market leader.
 

TEST LABORATORY MANAGER - TESTING & CERTIFICATION 

 “Career development and leadership opportunity for commercially focused Test & Certification specialist with best in class experience gained in mechanical and electrical test engineering or other disciplines, including chemical, metallurgical, forensics etc to UK and International Industry Standards”

Salary:  c£Very Competitive + Excellent Large Company Benefits 

Location:  Wolverhampton 

Commutable from Birmingham, Kidderminster, Stafford, Stone, Walsall, Wolverhampton, Wednesbury, Stourbridge, Halesowen, Bromsgrove, Lichfield, Tamworth, Stoke on Trent, Telford, Shrewsbury, Droitwich, Redditch, Worcester, Coventry, Warwick, Sutton Coldfield, Coleshill, Stockport, Crewe

Our client is a well-established and respected manufacturer of fixtures, fittings and components both mechanical and electronic in the home and building infrastructure products sector. Highly acquisitive and experiencing excellent growth, the company is based in a brand-new office, distribution centre and test centre complex in the West Midlands close to the M6/M54 but has operational facilities and subsidiaries nationally and globally.   

They are now seeking to strengthen their Test Centre team with the appointment of a Manager to head up their brand-new Test & Certification facility.  Our client offers testing and certification services both on an in-house basis to internal group companies and also to external customers including other manufacturers of mechanical, electrical and electronic components and products, in line with industry and national and international standards and certifications.  The role also encompasses management of product certification schemes to ensure continuity of compliance and maximise value from product certifications

Testing equipment is pneumatic, hydraulic and electrical/electronic and could cover tensile testing as well as a wide range of other tests.  

The Role:

You will manage our client’s brand-new Test Engineering Centre, ensuring that internal and external customer needs are met, providing an exemplary service, managing product certification scheme to ensure continuity of compliance and maximum value from product certifications.

• Promote and maintain compliance with procedural requirements and best practice for safety, health and environmental factors associated with testing operations, ensuring suitable provision is made for the identification of hazards and management of risks
• Develop & maintain the necessary systems and competencies within the testing team to manage daily operations, testing scheduling, and quote and report generation 
• Promote and maintain professional standards of service.
• Manage the testing capacity to suitably cater for customer indicative, UKAS accredited, competitor analysis, development and audit test requirements.
• Develop & maintain the necessary systems and competencies within the testing team to manage daily operations, testing scheduling, and quote and report generation 
• Preparation of audit test samples for our client’s certified product testing.
• Maintain a test quotation and booking service with transparent lead times and manage the provision of testing to agreed service levels.
• Maintenance and development of UKAS accredited ISO 17025 Laboratory management system, manuals, procedures and accreditation requirements.
• Identification and implementation of testing service improvements including scope of service and efficiency
• Promotion of our client’s testing services within the industry to maximise value.
• Development and maintenance of our client’s product certifications including CE marking, Kitemark and Certify product schemes, and product specific testing evidence.
• Monitor and evaluate developments within industry testing and product standards, identifying threats and opportunities and liaising with key stakeholders.
• Represent our client’s testing services at the Test House Studies Group.
• Manage and develop the Test Engineers and Team Leader to ensure flexibility and quality of service.
• Maintain good relationships internally with key members of executive team as well as customers and external bodies.

The Ideal Applicant:

• Degree/HNC/HND educated in Mechanical or Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Metallurgy, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Forensics or similar.
• Experience of Electrical/Electronic Engineering advantageous. Experience could be gained in mechanical, electronic, chemicals, biological, metals sectors or forensics. 
• Currently working within a similar specialist testing team or alternatively as part of a quality or product development function within a manufacturing environment but keen to develop career further into testing and certification.
• Experienced leading and motivating a team of engineers including apprentice engineers.
• Experience of BSI standards essential.
• Customer facing experience essential – this could be external customers or internal customers within different product or manufacturing divisions of the same organisation.
• •Experience of planning resource allocation and creating and presenting reports.
• Structured problem-solving techniques, including analysis and corrective and preventative action identification
• Ability to technically appraise company and competitor products.

In return our client offers a very competitive salary plus pension, 25 days holiday and the option to choose from a wide variety of other benefits offered by our client.