Senior Supply Chain Manager Review

My role is Senior Supply Chain Manager looking after Space, Range and Merchandising systems development. This means that I am continually evaluating our current systems, speaking to users and also evaluating the market to see what other vendors are offering. Ultimately, I want to deliver the best systems for the business which will help make us more competitive and enable growth.

Currently I am just starting the apprenticeship, but from the initial workshops I feel that it will be extremely useful to help with projects that I am involved with. As an example risk analysis models such as VUCA and PESTLE are new to new to me but I can see the value in using these to inform decision making.

Again, I am early into the programme but initial thoughts are that I am finding it enjoyable. It's good to have a cohort which is made up of Morrisons colleagues as well as others from different industries to enable a different perspective on the topics that are being discussed.

I have been impressed with the course structure and feel that it gives me a good balance between study and work, which is imperative when you are in full time employment. The tutors have briefed on expectations and also the requirements to obtain a pass as well as the course contents throughout the year.

My employer has been extremely supportive! I have been able to carve out weekly time in my calendar to focus on the apprenticeship and study time. The project managers with whom I am working with have also offered support and guidance as well as my senior management team - all to make sure I get the most out of the course linked to my role objectives.

So far the support received from Paragon has been great. They have fully briefed me on the course structure, expectations, requirements to achieve a pass mark, how to raise any issues and also how to stay fully connected with the course tutor. Another benefit is the personal development courses that they run alongside the course which I am finding very beneficial.

Once I finish the course and achieve the qualification, I am confident it will help me grow within my current role and also within the business. As a big part of my role is to ensure smooth delivery of projects, the course will help me understand different methodologies and tools that can be applied and also impact on stakeholders to ensure buy in and support.

I am not aware of any but I do organise weekly Squash games for a group of colleagues to ensure we can build relations outside of the work environment. I also support on the Graduate Schemes to ensure we select the right candidates and also support them through their time at Morrisons.

Yes

If you have the right work ethic and appetite to succeed there are opportunities that exist within Morrisons to progress. This can take shape in many forms, i.e. personal development sessions with senior stakeholders, mentoring, internal courses to aid development and of course career progression. The work / life balance is also good with a flexible working environment.

I would encourage potential candidates to make sure they are fully briefed on a role before applying and also emphasise the benefits they can bring to the organisation / department if they were employed. A lot of transferable skills can be gained from external courses and its important to make sure this relayed appropriately.