AddressAbout the role
Over the last 5 years Pearson has invested in a significant transformation of our systems and operating models. We have implemented single core platforms (ERP, CRM etc.) across our largest markets (North America, UK, APAC, India and Europe) while also moving to a Global Business Services model across our Enabling Functions (Operations, Finance, HR, IT etc).
The Supply Chain GPO (Global Process Owner) will report to the STP (Source to Pay) Transformation Director and will be responsible for defining, designing, developing, and delivering industry comparable ‘High Performance’ Supply Chain processes that are agile and support the transformation initiatives lead by the International and North America Supply Chain team. They will be able to understand and drive Pearson’s Supply Chain processes across a wide range of business models and markets and influence across stakeholder groups, internally and externally to design processes that externally benchmark in the middle to upper quartile for efficiency, effectiveness and cost.
Activities and responsibilities include:
- Create customer centric solutions, optimise current practices and support transformation agenda and implement and monitor process improvements to ensure they align with and contribute to Finance strategy and Supply Chain strategy.
- Collaborates closely with cross functional teams, including Finance, IT, Operations to align both Supply Chain and Source-to-Pay processes with broader organisational goals and drive alignment across functions.
- Continuously benchmarking internal processes against best practices to determine gaps, opportunities for improvement.
- Translates process strategy into process value drivers, process diagnostics, collateral, workflow and process maps, service objectives, performance priorities, and well-articulated process improvement plans with clear links to business performance uplift opportunities and be champions of process excellence and financial value management principles.
- Drives and owns the delivery of multiple, often parallel improvement projects across a number of complex, varied and evolving business models.
- Support the integration of source-to-pay responsibilities into the broader scope of Supply Chain management, facilitating a more cohesive and integrated approach to managing the flow of goods and services and information across the organisation.
- Bring commercial and business acumen to recognise and champion differences that enable competitive advantage and know when to leverage shared process and shared capabilities to unlock value clearly supported by data and experience.
- Supports the creation of business policies/guidelines, KPIs, process standards and controls and will play a key role in walk-throughs of controls with the external auditors.
- Ensures that operational teams are meeting expected outcomes and creates process performance uplift, adheres to the standards and understands any significant process variations with relevant controls installed to ensure effective, robust and measurable shareholder outcomes can be seen.
- Reviews and owns the training materials and relevant knowledge management needed to support any changes in process.
- Ensures alignment of process improvement initiatives with business strategy.
- Supports wider company strategic initiatives e.g. M&A, corporate restructuring, major system implementations/upgrades etc.
Key requirements:
- Operational or process experience in Supply Chain flows.
- Experience in Supply Chain process improvements including forecasting accuracy, service level and inventory optimisation.
- Experience of end-to-end Supply Chain interactions and inter dependencies including expertise in Sales & Operational Planning (S&OP) including demand planning, procurement, supply management, inventory management, distribution management, warehouse & transportation management.
- Awareness of multiple business models with experience of working with more than one and examples of how to influence and shape changes in these models for improvement.
- Experience of how to manage complex political environment, manage and turnaround negative opinion and demonstrate tangible results in driving opinion at an organisation level.
- Familiarity with value drivers and customer requirements within a print/publishing environment.
- Experience working in a multi-national matrix organisation.
- Proven project, programme and change management experience and demonstrated ability to champion and drive change.
- Lean Six Sigma experience/qualification preferred but not essential.
- Knowledge of Oracle ERP and Business Intelligence and value management applications preferred, but not essential if there is demonstrated experience across other applications.
- Fluent English verbal and written with experience of working globally across varying cultures, languages and markets.
What we are looking for:
- A self-motivated individual who thrives on seeing the results of their work make an impact in the business.
- Strong communication skills, both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to influence change.
- A keen sense for the art of the possible and problem solver.
- Continuous learner, willingness to stay updated with industry trends and best practices.
- Proven ability to be flexible and work hard, both independently and collaboratively.
- Methodical and organised, able to plan and structure work to ensure timelines are met.
- Excellent attention to detail with strong analytical problem-solving skills.
- Team player, happy to work with a wide range to stakeholders and work in the detail.
Your Reward & Benefits
We know you’ll do great work, so we give a lot back with some of the best benefits in the business. We understand that one size doesn’t fit all, so our workplace programmes meet the different needs of our diverse teams and their families too. There are a range of options, too many to list here, but when you join our Pearson family you can look forward to:
- A starting holiday of 25 days plus UK public holidays and you’ll earn 1 additional day’s holiday per year you work with us.
- Generous pension scheme where we match and double what you contribute.
- Maternity, paternity, and family care leave as well as flexible work policies.
- Stock/share purchase options.
- Healthcare and dental plans, and an employee wellbeing assistance programme for you and your family to help balance work, family, and personal life.
- Cycle to work program, gym membership concessions in selected office locations, along with retail and leisure discounts.
What to expect from Pearson
Did you know Pearson is one of the 10 most innovative education companies of 2022?
At Pearson, we add life to a lifetime of learning so everyone can realize the life they imagine. We do this by creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are on a journey to be 100 percent digital to meet the changing needs of the global population by developing a new strategy with ambitious targets. To deliver on our strategic vision, we have five business divisions that are the foundation for the long-term growth of the company: Assessment & Qualifications, Virtual Learning, English Language Learning, Workforce Skills and Higher Education. Alongside these, we have our corporate divisions: Digital & Technology, Finance, Global Corporate Marketing & Communications, Human Resources, Legal, Strategy and Direct to Consumer. Learn more at We are Pearson.
We value the power of an inclusive culture and also a strong sense of belonging. We promote a culture where differences are embraced, opportunities are accessible, consideration and respect are the norm and all individuals are supported in reaching their full potential. Through our talent, we believe that diversity, equity and inclusion make us a more innovative and vibrant place to work. People are at the center, and we are committed to building a workplace where talent can learn, grow and thrive.
Pearson is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and a member of E-Verify. We want a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit and business need. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status or any other group protected by law. We strive for a workforce that reflects the diversity of our communities.
To learn more about Pearson’s commitment to a diverse and inclusive workforce, navigate to: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Pearson.
If you are an individual with a disability and are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career site as a result of your disability, you may request reasonable accommodations by emailing ppsmhr@pearson.com.
Note that the information you provide will stay confidential and will be stored securely. It will not be seen by those involved in making decisions as part of the recruitment process.
Job: STRATEGY
Organization: Corporate Finance
Schedule: FULL\_TIME
Req ID: 14975
