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
Group Manager, Global Sourcing (L5)
3-5 years in roleSkills to master
- Mastering the management of multiple category teams, owning a significant P&L segment (£500K-£2M), and developing strong influencing skills with executive peers.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently exceeding cost savings and working capital targets for your managed portfolios.
- Successfully leading and developing a team of 10-25 individuals, including other managers.
- Demonstrating strong strategic thinking beyond your immediate categories, contributing to broader functional strategy.
- Proactively identifying and mitigating significant supply chain risks.
- 2
Head of Regional Sourcing (e.g., Head of Sourcing EMEA)
4-6 years in roleSkills to master
- Deep understanding of regional market dynamics and regulatory landscapes, managing a diverse regional team, and building strong relationships with regional business unit leaders.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully optimising the supply base and delivering value across a complex geographical region.
- Navigating regional political and cultural nuances effectively in negotiations and stakeholder management.
- Building a high-performing regional sourcing organisation from the ground up or through significant transformation.
- Consistently achieving regional P&L targets and strategic objectives.
- 3
Senior Director, Supply Chain Strategy (from another company)
Direct entrySkills to master
- Transferable skills in enterprise-level strategy, large-scale team leadership, and proven ability to drive significant financial impact within a complex global organisation.
You're ready to move on when
- A demonstrable track record of successfully leading a global sourcing function or a significant part of it in a similar industry.
- Strong references from C-suite executives regarding your strategic impact and leadership capabilities.
- A clear vision for how you would approach and transform our global sourcing function.
- Experience managing a similar scale of P&L and team size.