Manager - Strategy

Company Background

Forerunners is a boutique supply chain consulting firm based in Washington, DC. Our leadership team has unique experience in developing supply chain strategies and implementing solutions for manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, logistics service providers, and private equity firms. Our client work currently includes Nike, Intuitive, Nestle, Gulf Relay, and LeafLink. There are a lot of consultants out there, so what makes us different? We challenge the client, forcing decisions to grow revenue or reduce costs through less obvious approaches to historically poorly defined problems.

Position Objective

We execute several project types so our Managers can expect to wear many hats, depending on the client and specific project. This Manager is going to be working on primarily strategic projects, such as roadmap development or software system selection projects, but will also be expected to lead more tactical engagements with more of an analytical focus. They will have up to 3 direct reports to manage at the onset of this role. Aside from direct reports, Managers will be expected to actively manage projects as well, meaning they will work alongside several different colleagues and clients.

General Responsibilities

Working approximately 40 hours per week, mostly in standard business hours of 8 – 5 PM EDT Monday through Friday, however we have clients in multiple time zone domestically and globally.
Travel is based on client needs. Some projects require two or three trips of 2 – 3 days over a 12-week period, others require zero travel. Certain implementations require 50 – 75% travel (post-COVID we have not experienced this type of intensive on-site but need to set expectations in case it happens).
Ability to meet with colleagues or clients in a professional setting via Zoom/Teams/etc.
Ability to clearly and concisely present deliverables and take a leading role in client-facing meetings.
Ability to manage both people and projects from day 1
Ability to foster innovation, educate, and support the professional development of direct reports
Ability to learn off-the-shelf software tools for pricing, costing, or network analysis.

Functional/Technical Capabilities

Strong understanding of data management concepts.
Experience creating business cases and implementing solutions to achieve the financial objectives associated with the roadmap. Those implementations should be organizational, process-based, procurement, and/or technology.
Advanced understanding of supply chain concepts, deep in some areas & broad in others.
Proficient in all Microsoft products, such as Excel, PowerPoint, Visio.
Skilled at public speaking and presenting in front of leadership.
Able to shape new work based on out-of-scope or less obvious opportunities than the client foresaw.

Competencies

Entrepreneurial Spirit – We have a great business model and unique differentiators… however we need individuals who are future leaders and think differently about what we are doing.
Business (and supply chain) Acumen – while this role is for a less experienced professional, we still expect the ability to understand business models and think through business decisions as well as those specific to the supply chain. We plan to teach you what you don’t already know, but we expect to learn from you too!
Flexibility – We are a small company and need to be nimble based on our client needs… sometimes we need to work late on weeknights or weekends.