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Wood is recruiting a Supply Chain Senior Manager to join the “Technical” organization, which comprises, in addition to Supply Chain, Engineering, Process, Technical HSE, Quality & Assurance, and Project Control. The position will be based at Wood’s Milan office (Corsico), with availability to travel within Italy and internationally as required.
The Supply Chain Senior Manager will report directly to the Project Delivery Director – Europe and will primarily be responsible for managing procurement activities related to:
- Material purchasing, expediting, and inspections
- Construction contracting
for projects involving complex plants in the Chemical, Petrochemical, Life Sciences, and Energy industry sectors.
The Head of Supply Chain for Spain (based at Wood’s Madrid office), the Head of Purchasing (based at Wood’s Milan office), and the Head of Subcontracts (based at Wood’s Milan office) will report directly to the Supply Chain Senior Manager.
#LI-Hybrid
The Role
- The Supply Chain Senior Manager will be responsible for the leadership and management of all aspects associated to purchasing of materials, purchasing of services, placement of contracts for construction works and contracts’ administration post contract award.
- As part of the role, the Supply Chain Senior Manager will interface with other departments of Wood, customers and external parties in order to manage and coordinate all supply chain activities, from bill of quantities / scope definition through the inquiry processes up to the purchase orders/contracts placement.
- After purchase orders/contracts placement, the Supply Chain Senior Manager will also have the responsibilities associated to material Expediting & Inspection as well Construction Contracts administration after contract award.
- Key aspects of the role include delivering value by identifying efficiencies, eliminating waste and reducing costs across the supply chain. This includes developing and implementing Supply Chain Management (SCM) improvement plans, driving process and systems enhancements, ensuring compliance and assurance and embedding common ways of working.
- The role will also be responsible for developing and leading supply chain teams. The individual will be a member of the divisional Supply Chain Leadership Team, supporting the wider supply chain strategy and its delivery. In addition, the role will act as a key business partner, sitting on the divisional Senior Leadership Team and contributing to the shaping of broader business strategy and performance.
Wood is a global leader in consulting and engineering, helping to unlock solutions to critical challenges in energy and materials markets. We provide consulting, projects and operations solutions in 45 countries, employing around 25,000 people. www.woodplc.com
Diversity Statement We are an equal opportunity employer that recognises the value of a diverse workforce. All suitably qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective criteria and without regard to the following (which is a non-exhaustive list): race, colour, age, religion, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or other characteristics in accordance with the relevant governing laws.
Responsibilities:
The key objectives for this role are:
- Provide strategic direction for the function and deliver both short‑ and long‑term business objectives within the area of responsibility
- Act as a core member of the Supply Chain Leadership Team, supporting the wider business strategy and delivery of business objectives
- Promote safe working practices and demonstrate visible safety leadership at all times
- Act as a role model and champion Wood’s vision, values, and behaviors, demonstrating the highest ethical standards
- Act as a change agent by developing and implementing Supply Chain improvement initiatives and projects to drive efficiency, reduce costs, support growth and embed appropriate controls across all third‑party spend
- Support tendering activities and the development of specific supply chain strategies, including category strategies, to enable business growth
- Identify resource requirements of projects and assign personnel in order to meet operational demands and needs
- Implement robust performance management and development plans for the team, addressing capability gaps and ensuring effective development and succession planning
- Provide effective functional leadership and governance across all deployed teams
- Manage and provide direction on the resolution of key SCM risk and compliance issues
- Implement and manage effective materials management processes across the region
- Deliver in‑year internal and external savings targets in line with the business plan, with accurate and timely reporting
- Support business growth by promoting insourcing and cross‑selling opportunities and preventing leakage of spend outside the business
- Implement and manage an effective subcontracting strategy and execution plan
- Lead the implementation and oversight of contractual governance across European supply chain operations, ensuring compliance with corporate standards and legal requirements
- Drive best practices in contract negotiation, risk management, and supplier and subcontractor agreements to optimise performance and mitigate risk exposure
Level of Influence & Decision Making
- Set the Supply Chain strategy across the area of responsibility
- Set functional and business objectives and be accountable for the delivery of both short‑ and long‑term outcomes
- Provide functional leadership to all deployed supply chain teams
- Establish and maintain governance of SCM processes and procedures, ensuring full compliance, including adherence to the Supply Chain Code of Conduct, policies, and segregation of duties
- Exercise financial authority in line with the approved Financial Authority Levels (FAL)
- Be accountable for the effective resourcing of all project teams, the ongoing development of personnel, and the identification and deployment of capability to meet business needs
- Promote Supply Chain Management awareness and understanding across the business
Qualifications:
At Wood, we are committed to equal opportunities and welcome all talented individuals to consider joining our team. So even if you don't match every statement below but feel you have some of the experience, knowledge or skills needed for this role, we encourage you to apply. It will take all of us working together to deliver solutions to the world’s most critical challenges
Qualifications
- Master or Bachelor’s degree in relevant disciplines (business studies, law, engineering, supply chain or similar discipline)
Skills and experience
- Minimum of 15 years’ Supply Chain experience, demonstrating strong performance, progression, and achievement in roles of increasing responsibility, including progression to a comparable management position
- Strong expertise in Subcontract Agreements and Framework Agreements
- In‑depth knowledge of industry‑standard forms of subcontracting
- Proven experience in both strategic and tactical procurement
- Strong understanding of Supply Chain principles, methodologies, and best‑practice techniques
- Demonstrated application of Supply Chain theory through effective operational delivery
- Fluent in Italian and English
Experience of:
- Deliver value and margin improvement through Supply Chain savings, performance enhancement, and process optimization
- Manage and lead teams across multiple geographies and cultures
- Demonstrate strong leadership in motivating, developing, and performance‑managing teams and individuals
- Negotiate complex commercial and contractual agreements effectively
- Lead dispute and claim resolution activities, ensuring controlled and timely outcomes
- Implement Supply Chain strategies and execution plans aligned with business objectives
- Drive the successful definition and delivery of category strategies across deployed projects
- Lead and manage Supplier Relationship Management to optimise performance and value
- Demonstrate experience in audit, assurance, and compliance activities
- Lead complex tendering activities through to successful completion
- Manage and lead the mobilisation of the supply chain following contract award
Personal attributes:
- Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills
- Build and maintain positive, effective relationships with suppliers, clients, and internal stakeholders across disciplines
- Strategic thinker with the ability to contribute to the management and continuous improvement of the overall function
- Strong planning, prioritisation, and organisational skills
- Enthusiastic and proactive leadership style that inspires and engages teams
- Well‑developed commercial awareness and business acumen
