SVP Global Supply Chain – China Guru
Senior VP, Worldwide Supply Chain
$600 million+ Global Consumer Products Wholesale Distributor
Midwest HQ Location, Extensive Global Travel Opportunity
Background
Our client is a major and rapidly-growing Midwest-based global wholesale distributor of premium-branded consumer products. The company sources it’s product from low-cost manufacturing (LCM) countries as well as in the Americas (no owned manufacturing operations), and direct ships full container loads to its North American customer base. With a near-term revenue target of $1 billion, our client recognizes the critical importance of creating a truly global supply chain organization which can effectively support its profitable expansion around the world. Hence this new position, SVP Worldwide Supply Chain, reporting directly to the company’s President & CEO, and dedicated to delivering on both strategic and tactical objectives.
Position Scope
The Senior Vice President, Worldwide Supply Chain will be accountable for optimizing the total cost of purchased product through the development and implementation of an effective global sourcing and distribution strategy with a focus on diversified supply bases in China and other LCM countries. Our SVP WW Supply Chain will build a world-class supply chain organization capable of applying best practices to the company’s procurement, logistics and distribution activities. The SVP WW Supply Chain must position the supply chain function as a source of added value to all internal constituents, and build a supply chain team which is strategic, responsive and collaborative.
Specific Position Responsibilities
Develop and manage worldwide network of distribution facilities
Develop and maintain supplier network for worldwide sourcing
Develop and manage product forecasting, production scheduling, purchasing, and inventory management principles/systems/processes
Develop and manage worldwide logistics/transportation of product
Provide oversight to ensure compliance with trade agreements, customs regulations, other legal requirements
Critical Skill Sets Required
Leadership Skills - Significant, proven record of leadership as a supply chain operations executive in a world-class global logistics/warehousing/distribution environment. The desire to build and create a team-based global supply chain organization which adds value to internal and external customers. Ability to persuasively drive change through inspiration and influence rather than through direct authority over highly decentralized line (divisional) organizations.
Industry/technical expertise – solid international experience in export-related organizations with emphasis on low-cost, high-volume bulk commodity products. Extensive global wholesale supply chain management expertise is critical, most likely at least 10-12 years progressively more responsible management experience, combined with at least 2-3 years of successful senior level global supply chain responsibility. Highly focused on best practices, attuned to metrics and performance measurement, and accustomed to rapidly responding to dashboard indicators of changing market conditions.
Global perspective and vision – Ability to think creatively about global markets and their ever-changing influence on the company’s operations. Global and cultural savvy, with sensitivity and courage to recognize, understand and then adapt to global economic trends and industry directions. Ability to develop critical insights on how external forces and factors affect customers, suppliers and operational activities such as logistics, manufacturing, product development.
Work ethic & work stability – strong, sustained. A person who will fully engage and stay involved, who will embrace and love the work for the satisfaction it provides. Not a 9-5er who shuts down at night and weekends; this is a global environment and 24/7 communication accessibility comes with the territory. A builder of companies and relationships; not a job-hopper who must seek his next challenge outside the organization every 18-24 months.
Communication and interpersonal skills – polished, assertive, culturally sensitive and appropriate, as demonstrated by success in previous career roles.
Negotiation skills – highly capable, multi-national and multi-cultural experience. Self-aware with respect to own strengths, limitations, in personal negotiating style. Able to adapt to situations, cultural biases, subtleties. A negotiator who can leave her/his ego at the door and concentrate on doing the deal.
China skills – Extensive hands-on supplier development and relationship-building experience in China and the Far East.
Travel ability – anticipate 50% international travel. A person who will value the opportunity to regularly work in and with China, Thailand, Korea, India, Malaysia, Taiwan, and wherever new sourcing or sales opportunities may take her/him.
Education – BS/BA required, MBA considered a strong plus.
