Head of Supply Chain/Logistics

Company Background – Our Journey….
The Sawhney family has been in the drinks industry for over 50 years, having experienced every aspect of the industry from retail to on-trade wholesale, distribution to brand development and online auctions to world class events. Creating the Whisky Exchange in 1999, the family created one of the first drinks companies to go online, growing it to become the most important whisky and fine spirits website in the world. The core business was acquired by Pernod Ricard in 2021, while the Sawhney family retained what is now Elixir Group Holdings made up of Elixir Distillers Ltd and Speciality Brands Ltd. With a wealth of experience from the last 5 plus decades and our amazing team, we are looking forward to our future as renowned distillers, creators, blenders, bottlers, and distributor of whisky & fine spirits.
Please make an application promptly if you are a good match for this role due to high levels of interest.
About Elixir Distillers Ltd (EDL)
Elixir Distillers is a high-growth, brand development and creation business in the drinks industry focusing on whisky and rum with an ambition of unlocking the enormous potential of premium and luxury spirits. Our current portfolio consists of The Single Malts of Scotland, Elements of Islay, Port Askaig Single Malt Whisky, Black Tot Rum and Highland Nectar, all growing exceptionally well and distributed in over 20 markets around the world.
We are building a new distillery on the Island of Islay, named Portintruan, and recently acquired one of the most iconic distilleries in Speyside, Tomore Distillery, along with its mature inventory. Our aim is to create internationally recognised brands from both distilleries in the coming years. Always focused on our people, quality, and growth, we live and breathe the drinks industry and want to share this passion with the world. Our vision and ambition is to create globally recognised brands and this can only be achieved with the right people, the right skills and the right culture.
Job Description
This role is a key role which is responsible for the Operations function with regards to the bottling and management of cased goods. You will be proactive in driving continuous improvement and in overseeing the logistics and purchasing of all dry goods as well as managing the process of bottling, storage and getting product ready for shipment. Having a solutions focussed mindset, you will be accountable and responsible for setting out the production plan to meet set forecast objectives and for leading the logistics team with regards to product creation, stock control and processing orders for international distributors.
The role requires working across various touchpoints in the business, feeding in information on cost of goods and stock levels to the Commercial Director and Finance Director, working with the Design and Marketing Teams on packaging development and sustainability, sourcing dry goods, as well as working with our blending team on liquid requirements.
Responsibilities
Create and deliver a production plan based on forecast delivered by the Commercial Director.
Ensure dry goods are purchased to support to production plan but limit holdings to reduce storage costs.
Ensuring that cased goods of core product do not fall below set par levels while delivering quarterly reports to the Commercial Director on stock holding to help ensure we do not over produce.
Ensuring all key stake holders are informed if there are increases in the cost of goods.
Continuously review and improve departmental spend on inventory charges, production, dry goods and cased goods warehousing, and freight to minimise costs to the business.
Build and maintain strong relationships with dry good suppliers and work closely with them to improve product quality, environmental packaging, reduce costs, and enhance reliability.
Measure supplier performance through KPIs like defect rates, on-time delivery performance and customer service.
Be responsible for the data integrity of Tropos ERP production module with regards to inventory purchases, bottling/packaging operations and sale/dispatch of finished goods. This includes master data, production recipes, standard costing and inventory volume and valuation reports.
Support the upgrade and enhancement of the Tropos ERP system and other software add-ons
Manage the Operations Team that is responsible for all purchasing of materials, logistics and preparing goods for export including appropriate accompanying documentation.
Set clear performance objectives and provide regular feedback to operations team members.
Key skills and Knowledge
At least 5 years’ experience of Spirits/drinks industry
Solid experience of Operational Management; managing logistics, procurement, and production.
Strong data analysis and reporting skills.
Understanding of sustainability with regards to the drinks industry and experience in implementing company policies and processes to manage and improve this area.
Experience of handling NPD projects which will require working with critical paths, creating estimated cost of goods for new products, finding new suppliers where necessary,
Ability to work under pressure and manage conflicting deadlines.
Strong computer knowledge/experience (Microsoft Office, particularly Excel).
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to motivate and lead a team.
Highly organised and structured
Foster a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.
Working Relationships
CEO
Head Blender
Commercial Director/Sales Team
Creative Team
Marketing team
Finance Department
Suppliers