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The role of Supply Chain Director, which was non-existent just a few years ago, is becoming standardized and indispensable within companies.
The executive offices of international groups now even include a Group Supply Chain Vice-President. This responsibility can also be broken down by geographical zone or group of countries. At these levels, their responsibilities cover the development of Group or zone strategy and its implementation in the organization, major projects and their management, company transformation, the choice of policies in terms of the location and construction of logistics networks and flow circulation, the development of industrial and commercial plans (PIC) and master production plans (PDP), the management of the corresponding forecasts and planning, the approval of international service providers, and even the hierarchical management of the teams managing these activities in the countries.
In smaller companies or at subsidiary level, the Supply Chain Director plays a major role in reducing costs and differentiating his company through flexibility and responsiveness.
He is assessed above all on the quality of service provided to the customer, as well as on cost control throughout the supply chain.
In their day-to-day work, they manage the supply chain and act as the interface between the Sales, Production, Finance, Purchasing and Logistics Departments, taking into account the requirements of these different departments and optimizing the overall organization.
They are responsible for all flows, from suppliers to customers. They are in charge of forecasting, planning, procurement, scheduling, internal and external logistics and transportation. In some organizations, he/she may also manage sales administration.
Most often a member of the management committee, he/she manages large teams through the Plant Supply Chain Managers who report to him/her. This reporting line may be functional, but will preferably be hierarchical.
The scope of the Supply Chain Manager's responsibilities covers a number of sites, including the company's own entities as well as those entrusted to the logistics and transport service providers on which he/she relies.
Working closely with the Sales and Production Departments on the company's PIC and PDP, he/she analyzes processes in all departments during the procurement, production and delivery stages, verifies that programs are being carried out, and adapts his/her master plans accordingly.
The Supply Chain Director is in charge oflogistics organization (warehouses, logistics or distribution forms) and supports the development and evolution of Information Systems (ERP, SCM, TMS, WMS, EDI, etc.). He defines the global inventory policy in agreement with General Management, and ensures that coverage and service rate objectives are met throughout the chain. He works closely with the Purchasing department to ensure that logistics constraints are taken into account in their negotiations. He also coordinates all internal flows.

The Supply Chain Director defines the Group's transport policy between production and/or storage sites, suppliers and customers; he supervises relations with carriers and/or logistics subcontractors, and modifies and negotiates subcontracting contracts.
In addition to his operational responsibilities, he is also the guarantor of all performance optimization projects. The most common trend in industrial logistics projects is the deployment of a pull-flow organization, most often based on the implementation of Lean concepts, in particular flow tension, inventory reduction, Milk Run, Kanban, Petits Trains, Supermarkets, etc.
In some organizations, the Supply Chain Director may also be called upon to manage the Purchasing Department.