The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
From Director, Global Supplier Quality
3-5 yearsSkills to master
- Moving from managing a function to shaping enterprise strategy, mastering Board-level communication, and leading through other senior leaders rather than direct functional oversight. You'll need to demonstrate significant P&L impact and strategic influence.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully led a major supply chain quality transformation programme with demonstrable financial impact.
- Consistently delivered on strategic objectives, reducing enterprise CoPQ and improving supplier maturity.
- Proven ability to build and develop a strong leadership team beneath you.
- Established strong relationships with internal C-suite peers and external strategic partners.
- 2
From VP, Quality (broader scope, e.g., internal manufacturing, customer quality)
2-4 yearsSkills to master
- Deepening expertise specifically in global supplier dynamics, regulatory compliance for external partners, and managing the unique challenges of influencing third-party quality systems. It's about specialising your executive leadership.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully managed complex quality functions that included significant supplier quality components.
- Demonstrated strong understanding of global supply chain risks and mitigation strategies.
- Proven ability to influence external stakeholders (e.g., key customers, regulatory bodies).
- Track record of driving quality improvements that significantly impacted customer satisfaction and brand reputation.
- 3
From Head of Global Supply Chain / Operations (with strong quality focus)
4-6 yearsSkills to master
- Transitioning from a broader operational role to a dedicated quality leadership position, requiring a deeper dive into quality methodologies, regulatory compliance, and risk management frameworks. You'll need to demonstrate your ability to champion quality as a standalone strategic imperative.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully led large-scale global supply chain operations, with a strong emphasis on quality outcomes.
- Implemented significant quality improvement initiatives within an operational context.
- Demonstrated a passion for and deep understanding of quality systems and compliance.
- Proven ability to collaborate effectively with dedicated quality functions and drive joint objectives.