How to go it alone ... Supply Chain and Procurement
Discussion
Hello Gents,
So I am thinking about (within the next 5 years) leaving my company to work for myself ...
I have a good job, excellent money, good benefits, extremely secure but I really do not enjoy the content of my role, well I enjoy 5-10% but the job was mis-sold to me when I joined.
I have been with the same company for around 10 years, in 4 different roles (each one a promotion) but I want to focus on the 5-10% I really enjoy.
Essentially I assess our Supply Chain / Suppliers with the view to a) development (to my companies BenchMark standard, b) assess industrial risks and c) build and nurture our relationships as our SC is fully integrated into our business - without it we would collapse and long lead times mean you cannot just swap supplier.
The feedback I receive is positive, mainly around my communication and ability to "align" everyone and their views to ensure we are all heading in the same direction supported by my content knowledge / experience within the different areas of the business.
I have an OK CV, BA / MSc / MCIPS, with as I said, appx 10 years experience.
The other option would be to move within the company (have been offered a position) or move into a Senior Management (3 years away) role to see if I enjoy that ....
What would you do?
One concern is, the amount I would need to charge working for myself to match what I am currently being paid - I am not sure it is justifiable for a new business and I am relatively young ....
Two is the lack of security, within 5 years i would expect my partner and I may be looking to have a child or two.
Three, i don't enjoy it ... No holidays, pension, illness cover, paycut, no bonus, security ...
So I am thinking about (within the next 5 years) leaving my company to work for myself ...
I have a good job, excellent money, good benefits, extremely secure but I really do not enjoy the content of my role, well I enjoy 5-10% but the job was mis-sold to me when I joined.
I have been with the same company for around 10 years, in 4 different roles (each one a promotion) but I want to focus on the 5-10% I really enjoy.
Essentially I assess our Supply Chain / Suppliers with the view to a) development (to my companies BenchMark standard, b) assess industrial risks and c) build and nurture our relationships as our SC is fully integrated into our business - without it we would collapse and long lead times mean you cannot just swap supplier.
The feedback I receive is positive, mainly around my communication and ability to "align" everyone and their views to ensure we are all heading in the same direction supported by my content knowledge / experience within the different areas of the business.
I have an OK CV, BA / MSc / MCIPS, with as I said, appx 10 years experience.
The other option would be to move within the company (have been offered a position) or move into a Senior Management (3 years away) role to see if I enjoy that ....
What would you do?
One concern is, the amount I would need to charge working for myself to match what I am currently being paid - I am not sure it is justifiable for a new business and I am relatively young ....
Two is the lack of security, within 5 years i would expect my partner and I may be looking to have a child or two.
Three, i don't enjoy it ... No holidays, pension, illness cover, paycut, no bonus, security ...
What's wrong with taking on another employed role in another company closer to what you want?
I have worked in companies where there are roles more focused on the parts you seem to want to pursue. They may be called Supplier Development XXX or Supplier Quality XXX. They have sat outside the Supply Chain organisation and may often be found under Quality or Engineering. Similarly large manufacturing and engineering companies have the structures and programmes you describe. These roles tend to be 'HQ' or centrally based rather than site based.
I have worked in companies where there are roles more focused on the parts you seem to want to pursue. They may be called Supplier Development XXX or Supplier Quality XXX. They have sat outside the Supply Chain organisation and may often be found under Quality or Engineering. Similarly large manufacturing and engineering companies have the structures and programmes you describe. These roles tend to be 'HQ' or centrally based rather than site based.
I was in a similar position all be it with a different Supply Chain Role to yours (Contracts, Bids, Sourcing and Selection) I didn't manage the ongoing supplier management, but have done in the past. Same level of experience.
I found a role in the NHS (where there are lots of opportunities at present) I now create best standard processes, develop the team, implementing Inventory Management, process improvement and write the forward looking Procurement Strategy. I'm working on 2 year cycles, which keeps it interesting
The money isn't as good, but it is very rewarding as I am making a real difference.
The NHS is crying out for people with your skill set....
I found a role in the NHS (where there are lots of opportunities at present) I now create best standard processes, develop the team, implementing Inventory Management, process improvement and write the forward looking Procurement Strategy. I'm working on 2 year cycles, which keeps it interesting
The money isn't as good, but it is very rewarding as I am making a real difference.
The NHS is crying out for people with your skill set....
Hello edc, thanks for the response, there is nothing wrong with it (I have interviewed / applied for some), but the salary is normally quite poor if the job is up North or too low for a decent standard of living down south.
It seems they hold the SD or SQ roles as a low level / junior role and pay as such, where as my org generally holds anyone in these fields in high regard and we are banded the same as mid-level management - so perhaps i expect to much.
So i am actively looking as the majority of my negatives seems to relate to the "contracting" aspects.
Plus my current company offers many opportunities to move around the world without speaking the local language, whilst paying for your house / move etc.
It seems they hold the SD or SQ roles as a low level / junior role and pay as such, where as my org generally holds anyone in these fields in high regard and we are banded the same as mid-level management - so perhaps i expect to much.
So i am actively looking as the majority of my negatives seems to relate to the "contracting" aspects.
Plus my current company offers many opportunities to move around the world without speaking the local language, whilst paying for your house / move etc.
Trexthedinosaur said:
Hello edc, thanks for the response, there is nothing wrong with it (I have interviewed / applied for some), but the salary is normally quite poor if the job is up North or too low for a decent standard of living down south.
It seems they hold the SD or SQ roles as a low level / junior role and pay as such, where as my org generally holds anyone in these fields in high regard and we are banded the same as mid-level management - so perhaps i expect to much.
So i am actively looking as the majority of my negatives seems to relate to the "contracting" aspects.
Plus my current company offers many opportunities to move around the world without speaking the local language, whilst paying for your house / move etc.
My experience was mainly in Aerospace in the South East. The roles tended to be senior/lead salary wise minimum 40k I guess. We would hire in from other similar industries or electronics/components backgrounds.It seems they hold the SD or SQ roles as a low level / junior role and pay as such, where as my org generally holds anyone in these fields in high regard and we are banded the same as mid-level management - so perhaps i expect to much.
So i am actively looking as the majority of my negatives seems to relate to the "contracting" aspects.
Plus my current company offers many opportunities to move around the world without speaking the local language, whilst paying for your house / move etc.
If you want a recruiter to talk to to feel out the market and see what you might get realistically then PM me. I probably took on perm or contract circa 7 -10 people from him over 3 years in regular supply chain and associated roles.
With respect to the NHS, I would definitely be interested in a move, all of my experience is within Aerospace, Defence and Space - so I assume the same level of control and legislation is applicable; I also support the pre-selection phase with contracts / bids etc but I really enjoy the improvement and development activities.
I don't want to waste anybody's time, all I am trying to consider is a 5 year plan with respect to my career and its path ...
edc said:
My experience was mainly in Aerospace in the South East. The roles tended to be senior/lead salary wise minimum 40k I guess. We would hire in from other similar industries or electronics/components backgrounds.
If you want a recruiter to talk to to feel out the market and see what you might get realistically then PM me. I probably took on perm or contract circa 7 -10 people from him over 3 years in regular supply chain and associated roles.
And that is the problem, even without my ex-pat support £40k represents a massive paycut and I really couldn't afford to live - plus my current employer has given me a guaranteed return salary due to international experience.If you want a recruiter to talk to to feel out the market and see what you might get realistically then PM me. I probably took on perm or contract circa 7 -10 people from him over 3 years in regular supply chain and associated roles.
I don't want to waste anybody's time, all I am trying to consider is a 5 year plan with respect to my career and its path ...
Sounds like you want one of the more HQ centric roles, one which has supply chain programmes or initiatives spanning multiple sites or business units. You could probably achieve a much better salary like this. I used to work for one of the of not the largest aerospace suppliers. I know of one such global business unit HQ location which might suit in the UK.
Hello edc, if you would not mind could you Pm the company name?
I currently work for one of the "big 2" aerospace companies, so anything I have not considered in terms of job role would be much appreciated.
And you are right, I would like to take a more strategic view, which is another bad point of going self employed as I like to see the success of my actions, not move every 3-12 months!
Thanks.
I currently work for one of the "big 2" aerospace companies, so anything I have not considered in terms of job role would be much appreciated.
And you are right, I would like to take a more strategic view, which is another bad point of going self employed as I like to see the success of my actions, not move every 3-12 months!
Thanks.
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