Why I Work In… is a regular feature, kindly sponsored by Huddersfield-based recruitment firm Stafflex, where we ask people about their jobs and the industry they work in. This time it’s Phil Reuben, executive director at Huddersfield-headquartered supply chain & logistics consultancy SCALA.
Tell us a little bit about SCALA
SCALA is a global supply chain and logistics consultancy which is headquartered in Huddersfield. The business was founded in 2001 and has since earned an excellent industry reputation for providing high-quality consultancy to many leading international companies.
SCALA’s workforce comprises experienced industry experts who offer practical solutions for end-to-end supply chain and logistics matters, from procurement and network optimisation to warehousing, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and overall supply chain strategy. All of SCALA’s projects are driven by business objectives to help our clients meet future commercial requirements and reap tangible benefits.
What is your role?
I am an executive director at SCALA. This means that I am a member of the Board of Directors and lead on team development, while also project managing a range of global supply chain and logistics consultancy projects. With an international remit and a range of experience, I am also the general manager of SCALA’s joint venture in China and lead on our M&A consultancy projects.
How long have you worked in this sector?
I have worked in supply chain and logistics at a range of organisations throughout my entire career. This has enabled me to really understand the end-to-end landscape for business operations.
Companies I’ve worked in-house for include Shell and Mars, and I was director of European operations at Spectrum Brands, a manufacturing company which provides brands including Russell Hobbs and Remington, before going consultancy-side with SCALA in 2015.
What advice would you give to someone who wanted to start a career in this sector?
Having strong verbal and written communication skills is critical to many careers, and this is particularly the case when it comes to consultancy.
It’s our job to understand the complexities of a business’s operations and present a solution to the challenges or opportunities they face in a way that is concise, easy to understand, and straightforward to implement. As well as providing clarity, good communication is conducive to credibility when it comes to imparting information and advice.
Beyond skills, I’d say that supply chain and logistics consultancy is a field where industry experience is critical. Supply chain and logistics operations are, by nature, complex; they’re also constantly shifting in an ever-evolving business world.
Understanding how operations actually work and having good business acumen is crucial to providing sound, reliable, strategic counsel for businesses looking to switch up, invest in, or scale down their supply chain and logistics.
If you could describe your job in 3 words what would they be?
Challenging. Exciting. Fulfilling!
What do you love most about your job?
It’s a bit of a cliché, but I love the variety of the challenges we face, the diversity of businesses we work with, and the range of projects we take on. Every business is unique and the work we do involves immersing ourselves in what makes each individual client ‘tick’. And of course, it’s always nice to receive positive feedback when the solutions we offer make a real difference to the way their operation performs!
What word would your colleagues use to describe you?
I’d like to think colleagues would consider me as detail-orientated – someone that really gets under the skin of a project, considers the complexities and explores a range of solutions to identify the most effective route. But if I’m being honest, some might consider me pedantic!
Where do you hope your career might take you?
My career has been a brilliant and varied experience and I’m pleased with what I’ve been able to achieve during that time.
Going forward, I plan to support SCALA’s continued success. The business recently became an Employee Ownership Trust and I’m keen to ensure that the future generation of SCALA’s owners continue to drive the company forward, supporting businesses as they continue to innovate and the world of supply chain and logistics continues to evolve.
If someone is reading this and wants to work for you, what should they do?
Let us know about it! You can reach out via our website.
