Director of Supply Chain Job Description
A Director of Supply Chain leads end‑to‑end supply chain strategy, performance and transformation. Learn about responsibilities, key skills, career progression and how this executive role drives business success.
Thinking about a career as a Director of Supply Chain? This is a senior leadership role responsible for shaping, leading, and optimising the entire supply chain function across a business. Here, we’ll walk through what a Director of Supply Chain does day-to-day, how to become one, what to include on your CV, and some related roles worth exploring if you’re progressing toward executive level supply chain leadership.
What Is a Director of Supply Chain?
A Director of Supply Chain oversees the end-to-end supply chain strategy. Your role will be ensuring goods, materials, and information flow smoothly, efficiently, and cost-effectively through each stage of the supply chain, including procurement, planning, warehousing, logistics, and distribution. You’ll set long-term direction for supply chain operations, lead senior managers, and ensure the supply chain supports overall business performance.
Day-to-day, you’ll review supply chain key performance indicators (KPIs) such as availability, OTIF (On Time, in Full), forecast accuracy, service levels, cost-to-serve, and supplier performance. You’ll work closely with senior stakeholders across operations, finance, commercial, production, and procurement to balance service, cost, risk, and working capital targets. The role involves setting supply strategies, overseeing major improvement programmes, solving complex operational challenges, and supporting business wide objectives such as sustainability or digital transformation.
Directors of Supply Chain also lead cross functional routines such as sales and operations planning (S&OP) and integrated business planning (IBP), ensuring that demand, supply, financial targets, and operational capacities are aligned. You’ll oversee long-term network design decisions, including warehouse footprint, transport strategy, automation investment, inventory policy, and supply chain resilience. When issues arise, you’ll support senior leaders in managing risks, playing a specialised part in the solution of these challenges.
This senior role is ideal for leaders who enjoy strategic thinking, complex problem-solving, data driven decision-making, and collaborating across departments to deliver results on a large scale.
How to Become a Director of Supply Chain?
To become a Director of Supply Chain, most professionals progress from senior roles such as Head of Supply Chain, Logistics Manager, Distribution Manager, Procurement Manager, or Planning Manager. Extensive cross‑functional experience across planning, logistics, procurement, inventory, and operations is essential. Building skills in strategic leadership, S&OP/IBP, financial management, ERP systems, and large‑scale transformation will significantly strengthen your prospects.
What to Put on a Director of Supply Chain CV
A strong Director of Supply Chain CV should highlight executive leadership, strategic impact, and delivery of complex change. Include skills such as end‑to‑end supply chain strategy, S&OP/IBP leadership, ERP and digital transformation, cost‑to‑serve optimisation, risk management, and multi‑site operations. Show examples of how you’ve reduced costs, improved service levels, strengthened resilience, led major programmes, or aligned supply chain performance with wider business objectives.
Similar Jobs to Director of Supply Chain
Directors of Supply Chain work at a highly strategic level, and their responsibilities often overlap with other senior supply chain leadership roles. Similar positions include Head of Supply Chain, Director of Logistics, and Head of Logistics, all of which involve shaping supply chain strategy, overseeing multisite operations, and leading teams responsible for planning, logistics, and procurement. These roles typically sit at comparable seniority levels and influence the direction, performance, and resilience of the supply chain.
Other Jobs in Logistics and Supply Chain
Beyond direct supply chain leadership positions, there are many senior roles across the logistics and supply chain sector that connect closely with supply chain strategy. These include Operations Director, Logistics Director, Demand Planning Director, Demand Planning Manager and Procurement Director. Each role contributes to a different area of supply chain performance, from forecasting and procurement to operational delivery, offering alternative pathways or complementary experience for those aiming for executive-level supply chain roles.
For those already at a senior level, progression pathways may include Chief Supply Chain Officer (CSCO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), or senior executive roles overseeing large multi-country supply networks. This offers a strong career opportunity, ideal for professionals with decades of experience and looking to shape the future of supply chain management.
These opportunities exist across industries such as retail, FMCG, manufacturing, ecommerce, pharmaceuticals, logistics/3PL, and food production.
Apply for Director of Supply Chain Jobs Near You
Director of Supply Chain roles are available across the UK, often based at head offices, national distribution centres, manufacturing headquarters, or large multisite operations. Employers include major retail groups, FMCG manufacturers, logistics providers, pharmaceuticals, and global supplychain organisations.
Many roles offer hybrid working, with a combination of onsite leadership, travel to distribution centres, and strategic office based planning. If you’re looking for a role with high impact, broad responsibility, and long-term career progression, senior supply chain leadership offers a compelling path. Common locations that regularly hire Director of Supply Chain roles include cities such as London, Manchester, Bristol, and Edinburgh.
Director of Supply Chain Job Description FAQ
Is a Director of Supply Chain a Good Career Choice?
Yes, it’s a strong career choice for leaders who enjoy complexity, operational strategy, and driving improvements across large supply chain networks. It also offers excellent earning potential and long-term career stability.
What Skills Does a Director of Supply Chain Need?
Key skills include leadership, strategic planning, risk management, data analysis, financial acumen, stakeholder management, and strong understanding of logistics, planning, procurement, and inventory. Experience with S&OP/IBP and digital supply chain tools is highly valued.
What Are the Biggest Challenges of Being a Director of Supply Chain?
Challenges include managing supply disruption, balancing cost vs. service, dealing with rapid demand changes, leading large transformation programmes, and maintaining resilience across global supply networks.
What Personal Qualities Make a Great Director of Supply Chain?
Great Directors are strategic, collaborative, commercially aware, calm under pressure, and excellent communicators. They can influence at all levels, make difficult decisions confidently, and see the “big picture” across the entire supply chain.
