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
Director of Global Fleet Operations (Large Enterprise)
5-8 years at Director levelSkills to master
- Mastering multi-country fleet P&L management, leading large-scale fleet transformation projects (e.g., EV transition for a region), and building strong relationships with OEMs and strategic partners. You'd also need to demonstrate strong talent development within your teams.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully managed a global fleet budget exceeding £20M with demonstrable cost savings.
- Led a major fleet-related strategic initiative (e.g., telematics rollout, significant EV adoption) across multiple countries.
- Consistently presented to and influenced executive committees on fleet strategy and capital expenditure.
- Built and mentored a high-performing team of fleet leaders.
- 2
VP of Supply Chain (Large International Company)
5-8 years at VP levelSkills to master
- Developing and executing end-to-end global supply chain strategies, including sourcing, manufacturing logistics, warehousing, and distribution. This requires deep expertise in network optimisation, risk management, and digital supply chain technologies, with significant P&L accountability.
You're ready to move on when
- Owned the P&L for a significant portion of a global supply chain, demonstrating efficiency gains and cost reductions.
- Led a major supply chain re-design or digital transformation project across multiple geographies.
- Proven ability to manage complex supplier relationships and mitigate global supply chain risks.
- Consistently delivered on strategic objectives impacting customer service and inventory levels.
- 3
Head of Operations (Logistics-Heavy Industry)
7-10 years in senior operations leadershipSkills to master
- Overseeing all aspects of physical operations for a large business unit or region where logistics is a core competency. This means managing not just fleet but also warehousing, distribution centres, and potentially manufacturing interfaces. Strong commercial acumen and cross-functional leadership are key.
You're ready to move on when
- Managed all operational aspects for a business unit with revenue exceeding £100M.
- Demonstrated ability to integrate logistics with broader business functions (e.g., Sales, Manufacturing).
- Successfully navigated complex operational challenges in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
- Built a reputation for operational excellence and strategic execution.