Head of Supply Chain Job Description
This Head of Supply Chain job description explains responsibilities, required skills, career pathways, CV guidance and related leadership roles.
Thinking about a career as a Head of Supply Chain? This is a senior leadership role that plays a crucial part in ensuring goods flow smoothly from suppliers to warehouses, through operations, and out to customers. Here, we’ll walk through what a Head of Supply Chain does day-to-day, how to become one, what to include on your CV, and alternative roles worth exploring across logistics, transport, and supply chain management.
What Is a Head of Supply Chain?
A Head of Supply Chain oversees the full end-to-end supply chain operation within a business – from procurement and production planning to warehousing, logistics, and final delivery. Acting as the strategic lead, you’ll ensure the supply chain is cost-effective, resilient, and capable of meeting customer expectations consistently. In most organisations, this role leads multidisciplinary teams such as procurement, planning, inventory, transport, warehousing, and supplier management.
Day-to-day, you’ll analyse performance data, forecast demand, optimise stock levels, and oversee transport and warehousing operations to ensure on time delivery. You’ll work closely with senior leadership, external suppliers, logistics partners, manufacturers, and internal operations teams to reduce risk, improve service levels, and continually enhance efficiency.
A major part of the role involves supply chain strategy, including designing the long-term roadmap for network capacity, inventory policy, supplier partnerships, automation, and sustainability. You’ll also champion cross functional communication, ensuring procurement, transport, planning, and warehouse teams stay coordinated in a fastmoving operational environment.
Risk management is another key responsibility. You’ll monitor supply chain vulnerability, manage contingency planning, and build resilience against delays, shortages, or market volatility. In addition, you’ll lead continuous improvement activity such as reviewing processes, driving LEAN/Kaizen projects, improving forecasting accuracy, and boosting On-Time, in-Full (OTIF) performance.
This role is ideal for people who enjoy leadership, data driven decision-making, strategic thinking, and improving complex operational systems. It suits those with experience across logistics, supply chain, or manufacturing who enjoy connecting multiple moving parts into one cohesive operation.
How to Become a Head of Supply Chain?
To become a Head of Supply Chain, many professionals progress from senior roles such as Supply Chain Manager, Logistics Manager, Planning Manager, Procurement Manager or Operations Manager. Strong experience across end‑to‑end supply chain operations, people leadership, and strategic planning is essential. Building expertise in forecasting, inventory optimisation, supplier management, ERP systems, and cross‑functional leadership will significantly strengthen your prospects.
What to Put on a Head of Supply Chain CV
A strong Head of Supply Chain CV should highlight strategic leadership, commercial impact, and measurable improvements across the supply chain. Include skills such as supply chain strategy, ERP systems, forecasting, inventory optimisation, risk management, and continuous improvement. Show examples of how you’ve improved OTIF, reduced costs or working capital, led multi‑site operations, delivered transformation programmes, or strengthened supply chain resilience at scale.
Similar Jobs to Head of Supply Chain
Head of Supply Chain roles share skills with several senior positions in logistics, manufacturing, and operations. Some similar jobs to Head of Supply Chain include Head of Logistics, Head of Operations, and other senior positions that rely on your experience and skills from years within the sector.
Other Jobs in Logistics and Supply Chain
If you’re exploring alternatives or future paths, you might consider roles such as Supply Chain Director, Head of Logistics, Operations Director, Procurement Director, Supply Chain Planning Lead, or Warehouse and Transport Director. Each of these roles overlaps with operational leadership, stakeholder management, strategy development, and endtoend process optimisation.
There are also roles such as Network Design Manager, Forecasting and Analytics Lead, Continuous Improvement Manager, and Head of Fulfilment which are ideal for those who want to combine strategic planning with technical, data driven decision-making.
Some other jobs in logistics and supply chain that can act as stepping stones into this role include managerial positions such as Delivery Manager, Logistics Manager, or Distribution Manager.
These careers are common across retail, ecommerce, FMCG, 3PL, manufacturing, wholesale, healthcare, and industrial sectors.
Apply for Head of Supply Chain Jobs Near You
Head of Supply Chain roles are available across the UK, particularly within large retailers, logistics providers, FMCG manufacturers, wholesalers, and multisite distribution networks. Many positions are based in regional distribution centres or company headquarters, with hybrid working often available for strategyfocused roles. Top locations hiring this role include London, Chelmsford, Manchester, and Birmingham.
Whether you’re looking for opportunities within fastmoving consumer goods, large logistics networks, specialist manufacturing, or national retail supply chains, there are roles to suit a variety of experience levels and industry backgrounds.
Head of Supply Chain Job Description FAQ
Is a Head of Supply Chain a Good Career Choice?
Yes, this is an excellent career choice for those seeking leadership responsibility, strategic influence, and opportunities across multiple industries. It also offers strong earning potential and long-term career stability.
What Skills Does a Head of Supply Chain Need?
Key skills include forecasting, data analysis, leadership, risk management, inventory optimisation, and strategic planning. You’ll also need confidence working with suppliers, customers, and cross functional teams.
What Are the Biggest Challenges of Being a Head of Supply Chain?
Common challenges include balancing cost vs. service, managing supply disruption, responding to rapid demand fluctuations, and aligning cross functional teams in fast paced environments. Building resilience and adaptability into the supply chain is essential.
What Personal Qualities Make a Great Head of Supply Chain?
Great leaders in this role are analytical, forward-thinking, calm under pressure, and excellent communicators. They enjoy solving complex problems, developing people, and constantly improving processes across entire supply networks.
