Supply Chain & Logistics Director, Building Products | Collingwood

The Client

Having completed boardroom positions for another company under the wider group, Collingwood were recommended to this individual manufacturer to partner in the search for a newly created board level appointment.

As a group they are market leaders across several subsectors within building products. The individual business has operated as a world class manufacturer of bathroom products, commanding over half of their core product range market share within the UK for 50 years.

Having gained promotion five years ago, the Managing Director had put in place significant growth plans, to be realised by 2025.

The Position & Its Challenges

For the business to realise their 2025 vision, the Managing Director was looking to bring on board an experienced director who could deliver change across their logistics, supply chain and production functions.

Operationally, key metrics had performed strongly, but they lacked direction in terms of complex international sourcing agreements – component level procurement ran into the thousands, with an overreliance on too fewer suppliers. Additionally, more joined up thinking was necessary across the logistical functions.

It was clear that blending these three main disciplines was a necessity; something that we highlighted would be a tough blend to find in abundance.

Furthermore, this was to be a sensitive search, due to an existing director internally not being aware of the MD’s intentions and this person would need to live within commuting distance of their midlands base.