How to Become a Head of Supply Chain
Heads of Supply Chain lead end‑to‑end supply chain strategy, oversee planning and logistics functions, and ensure goods move efficiently from supplier to customer. This guide explains the Head of Supply Chain role, key responsibilities, essential skills and career progression opportunities within the logistics and supply chain industry.
Overview of the Head of Supply Chain Role
A Head of Supply Chain plays a crucial leadership role within logistics, overseeing the end‑to‑end movement of goods from suppliers to customers. If you enjoy making strategic decisions, improving processes, and ensuring products arrive on time and in full, this role may be an excellent career choice.
You will be responsible for shaping supply chain strategy, leading teams across planning, procurement, logistics and inventory, and making sure the business can meet customer demand reliably and efficiently. These roles appear across logistics‑heavy sectors such as retail, manufacturing, distribution, FMCG, and companies that manage complex inbound and outbound flows.
Supply chain leaders work closely with other departments such as commercial, operations, finance, and production to ensure strategies align across the business. For candidates who enjoy shaping systems, leading teams, and improving service outcomes, this role offers a high‑impact career path at the senior end of logistics.
Dress Code
Heads of Supply Chain typically work in corporate office environments while also spending time in warehouses, distribution centres, and operational sites. Business professional or smart business casual dress is common for office‑based work, leadership meetings, and stakeholder engagement. When visiting operational areas, practical clothing may be required alongside appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as high‑visibility clothing and safety footwear, in line with site safety and compliance policies.
Head of Supply Chain Responsibilities
A Head of Supply Chain leads planning, procurement, inventory management, warehousing, logistics, and supplier relationships. They develop supply chain strategy, monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), manage third‑party logistics (3PLs), oversee forecasting, and drive efficiency and performance improvement initiatives.
Head of Supply Chain Tips
A successful Head of Supply Chain is highly organised, comfortable working with data and able to make clear decisions under pressure. Building strong relationships with suppliers, partners, and internal teams is essential. Staying close to forecasting accuracy, stock health, and service levels helps prevent operational issues. Remaining calm, forward‑thinking, and solutions‑focused supports strong leadership.
Head of Supply Chain Skills and Qualifications
A Head of Supply Chain typically brings together experience in logistics, procurement, planning, and people leadership. Companies look for strong communication, commercial thinking, and the ability to analyse and interpret supply chain data.
Formal Education or Apprenticeship
Many employers look for qualifications in supply chain, logistics, business, engineering or a related discipline. Professional qualifications such as Certified in Planning and Inventory Management (APICS CPIM), Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), Lean Six Sigma, or PRINCE2 can strengthen applications. However, progression through hands‑on logistics roles such as Supply Chain Manager, Logistics Manager, or Senior Planner is also common as hands-on experience is just as valuable when applying for supervisor and management positions in this sector.
Technical Expertise Relevant to Head of Supply Chain
Supply chain leaders, including Head of Supply Chain roles, regularly work with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, warehouse management systems (WMS), inventory platforms, and forecasting tools. Many employers use software such as SAP, Power BI or analytics tools for monitoring performance and creating insight. It is essential that you have some experience with these tools when applying for a Head of Supply Chain role. End‑to‑end supply chain planning requires proficiency in sales and operations planning (S&OP), forecasting, demand modelling, and using multiple data sources. Knowledge of procurement processes, supplier management, and logistics networks is essential.
Practical Mindset and Adaptability
A Head of Supply Chain must be adaptable and capable of managing complex challenges. Responsibilities often include balancing stock availability, working capital, supplier constraints, and service levels. This requires a strong ability to solve problems and adjust service levels to meet demand. Strong leadership is essential, especially when guiding diverse teams across planning, procurement, logistics, and warehousing. Good communication and problem‑solving skills help maintain alignment across the supply chain. By adopting an adaptable and practical mindset, you will be in a better position to quickly and efficiently solve problems and communicate changes to others.
Head of Supply Chain Duties
A Head of Supply Chain oversees strategic planning and operational execution across the end‑to‑end supply chain. They lead teams, manage external partnerships and ensure processes are efficient, compliant and customer‑focused.
Plan and Execute Core Tasks
When it comes to being a Head of Supply Chain, your core duties will include developing supply chain strategy, establishing planning processes, and scaling logistics capacity to meet customer demand. Responsibilities may also include forecasting, supplier negotiations, policy development, budget oversight, and strengthening inbound and outbound logistics. Many roles involve managing distribution channels including warehousing, fulfilment, and transportation. This requires strong multitasking during your day-to-day and attention to detail while also continuing to provide people leadership to your team or teams.
Diagnose and Resolve Issues
As Head of Supply Chain, you will also be required to respond to issues such as supplier delays, stock shortages, planning inaccuracy, or changes in customer demand. You will need to be proactive in preventing issues, as well as a quick problem solver to ensure that any unexpected problems are resolved in a timely fashion. You will work with suppliers, logistics partners, and internal teams to resolve root causes and maintain service continuity. This often includes leading continuous improvement initiatives.
Maintain Records of Work and Compliance
A Head of Supply Chain is an essential figure when it comes to maintaining records, reporting, and compliance. You will be important in ensuring accurate records for supplier agreements, stock levels, audits, safety compliance, and planning accuracy. Data quality is critical, as supply chain insights feed strategic planning, financial reports, and performance tracking. You might be expected to report on records, regularly review inputs, or provide feedback and updated to stakeholders so strong data analysis is usually required.
Head of Supply Chain Career Path and Progression
This role sits at the senior end of logistics leadership and provides strong long‑term development opportunities into executive and operational strategy positions.
Progress to Senior or Specialist Roles
Whether you’re looking to expand your skillset or explore progression opportunities, there are plenty of roles within the logistics and supply chain sector for Head of Supply Chain professionals to consider. With experience, you could progress into roles such as Supply Chain Director, Operations Director or Chief Operating Officer. Specialist pathways may focus on continuous improvement, strategic sourcing, risk management or supply chain transformation. These roles expand your responsibilities and offer an opportunity to become a strategic force within the business.
Supervisor and Manager Positions
Earlier progression paths include roles such as Supply Chain Manager, Logistics Manager, Procurement Manager, or Planning Manager. These roles build operational depth and will prepare you for senior leadership. Whether you’re planning your career pathway or exploring ways of advancing your skillset, there are a variety of supervisor and managerial roles that feed into the Head of Supply Chain position. By knowing your routes and pathways, you can progress through the business to this core position.
FAQs on Becoming a Head of Supply Chain
How Long Does It Take to Become a Head of Supply Chain?
Timelines vary, but many leaders progress after several years in supply chain management, planning or logistics leadership roles.
Do You Need Formal Qualifications to Be a Head of Supply Chain?
Formal qualifications can help, although extensive operational experience is equally valued. Rather than formal training, you will want to make sure you have the soft and technical skills necessary for the role, including knowing how to use ERP, WMS, and TMS.
How Much Does a Head of Supply Chain Make?
Head of Supply Chain roles in the UK typically fall around £70,000 per year, with variation depending on sector, experience and the scale of the supply chain function.
What Does a Head of Supply Chain Do?
A Head of Supply Chain oversees strategy, planning, procurement, logistics and inventory to ensure goods move efficiently and meet customer demand.
