Stephen Vale Email & Phone Number

Milton Keynes, Gb

United Kingdom

BUILDING A PORTFOLIO: Using extensive board advisory and strategic consultancy experience to establish a portfolio of board advisory roles with FMCG organisations and SME / STARTUP. sharing my wealth of knowledge and wide experience.TRANSFERABLE BOARD SKILLS: Bringing fresh perspectives from the world of business to drive better decision-making and awareness with transferable skills, insights and expertise having worked in tightly regulated food manufacturing, operations, supply chain… Show more BUILDING A PORTFOLIO: Using extensive board advisory and strategic consultancy experience to establish a portfolio of board advisory roles with FMCG organisations and SME / STARTUP. sharing my wealth of knowledge and wide experience.TRANSFERABLE BOARD SKILLS: Bringing fresh perspectives from the world of business to drive better decision-making and awareness with transferable skills, insights and expertise having worked in tightly regulated food manufacturing, operations, supply chain and service delivery companies. Such roles required best practice implementation of robust operational processes, service delivery and governance to meet strict industry food safety / audit regulations. BOARD GOVERNANCE SKILLS: Strategic thinking with board-level scrutiny on decisions impacting entire companies, including understanding wider implications of decisions, leadership accountability and board governance oversight. Managing senior stakeholder expectations, building collaborative relationships and providing clarity (and direction) in complex (often ambiguous) environments.LEADERSHIP QUALITIES: An influential, authentic and trusted business leader who operates with highest standards of integrity, objectivity and accountability through constructive challenge, asking the right questions, drilling down information (deep-dive analysis and big picture understanding) and listening to different perspectives to make informed decisions. Ability to work collaboratively at all levels, including CEOs, Board Executives, Business Owners, PE Firms, Senior Leadership Teams and external stakeholders to build common consensus and buy-in to achieve a shared vision and goals. NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CREDENTIALS - NEDONBOARD Accelerated Learning Programme - IOD Finance for Non-Finance Directors- IOD Effective Marketing Strategies - Business Growth & Development (CRANFIELD)- Leadership Coaching & Mentoring (Various) Show less

Milton Keynes, England, United Kingdom

BOARD ADVISOR & STRATEGIC CONSULTANT: Partnering CEOs / Business Owners & Board / Senior Leadership Teams on strategy, sales & commercial, value chain management, NPD / innovation (new product development), digital / automation technology solutions, business / operational improvement and change projects for SME companies (£MM turnovers). Projects lasting several months to multiple years depending on scope / scale.STRATEGIC ASSESSMENTS: Leading analysis of key business drivers… Show more BOARD ADVISOR & STRATEGIC CONSULTANT: Partnering CEOs / Business Owners & Board / Senior Leadership Teams on strategy, sales & commercial, value chain management, NPD / innovation (new product development), digital / automation technology solutions, business / operational improvement and change projects for SME companies (£MM turnovers). Projects lasting several months to multiple years depending on scope / scale.STRATEGIC ASSESSMENTS: Leading analysis of key business drivers, commercial performance (P&L, revenues and key accounts), financial position (forecasts, cash flow, working capital, budgets and cost overheads), sales & distribution channels (FMCG retail, wholesale, export and online) and value chain (production, operations and supply chain and logistics). GROWTH STRATEGY & COMMERCIAL LEADERSHIP (CLIENT PROJECTS)- Growth & Commercial Strategy (new proposition launch – zero to £5M sales)- Growth Strategy Roadmap (next level growth aligned to new consumer trends)- Multi-Channel Strategy (UK Grocery, Retail, Wholesale & Food Service Distribution)- UK & Export business development – building sales / distribution (key markets)- Company Rebrand / online proposition – Modernised / rejuvenated brand positioning- Succession planning, board / leadership restructuring and board governance oversight- Board Advisory / Mentoring – coaching / on-boarding board and senior leadership teamsOPERATIONS STRATEGY & TRANSFORMATION (CLIENT PROJECTS)- Business Strategy & Change Roadmap (Investments in Technology Automation) - Operations Transformation, Semi-Automated Production Lines & Operational Excellence- New Production Line & Capacity Building Project (factory design, layout and automation) - Workflow Automation Projects (full automation, computerised controls and data analytics) - Operational Strategy Review – cultural change, multi-skilling and operational excellence- BRC Audit Compliance – business processes, LEAN / KANBAN methods & KPIs / analytics Show less

Milton Keynes, England, United Kingdom

Business Consultant- Non-Excecutive Director- Interim contracts / Projects

Uk

Board Business Advisor and Chair for an e-learning training provider.

London, England, United Kingdom

START-UP & ENTREPRENEURSHIP: Set up a new business and developed ongoing manufacturing partnerships. Managed every aspect of a growing specialist USP company, including growth strategy, sales, commercial, financial management, product development, package designs, branding/marketing and key client account relationships.Specialist Supplier of Cantore Brand, Premium Continental & Italian style products

Buckinghamshire

START-UP & ENTREPRENEURSHIP: Set-up new business manufacturing gluten free products. Managed every aspect of a rapidly growing company, including growth strategy, sales, commercial, financial management, on-site manufacturing, quality assurance, operations, product development, package designs, branding / marketing and key client account relationships. Led start-up project and exited business to focus on board advisory and strategic consultancy assignments. Name subsequently changed to… Show more START-UP & ENTREPRENEURSHIP: Set-up new business manufacturing gluten free products. Managed every aspect of a rapidly growing company, including growth strategy, sales, commercial, financial management, on-site manufacturing, quality assurance, operations, product development, package designs, branding / marketing and key client account relationships. Led start-up project and exited business to focus on board advisory and strategic consultancy assignments. Name subsequently changed to Green Way Foods. Show less

Bucks

MANAGING DIRECTOR & BUSINESS OWNER: Led Management Buy-Out (MBO) to acquire company, including business case, raising finance and deal negotiation for an FMCG business manufacturing an extensive range of chilled quiches and pies for UK grocery, wholesale and food service customers. More than doubled turnover circa £5M with rapid growth before a devastating fire closed the business.BUSINESS GROWTH STRATEGY: Led 5-Year Business Plan to aggressively win key accounts from major UK grocery /… Show more MANAGING DIRECTOR & BUSINESS OWNER: Led Management Buy-Out (MBO) to acquire company, including business case, raising finance and deal negotiation for an FMCG business manufacturing an extensive range of chilled quiches and pies for UK grocery, wholesale and food service customers. More than doubled turnover circa £5M with rapid growth before a devastating fire closed the business.BUSINESS GROWTH STRATEGY: Led 5-Year Business Plan to aggressively win key accounts from major UK grocery / retail groups / retail export groups, build distribution capability, scale-up production, invest in product development (NPD) and introduced export sales (grew export sales from zero to £650K p.a.).FINANCIAL & COMMERCIAL LEADERSHIP: Full P&L responsibility. Led ongoing financial and commercial reviews, including business case development, cash flow forecasts, pricing models (margins), key account management strategies, supplier relationships (buying capability), cost overheads, working capital controls, contract tenders (deal sign-off) and crisis management (fire and business closure).INNOVATION & PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT: Invested in NPD / innovation (launched single portion on-the-go products), scaled-up manufacturing capacity (new build project), optimised production (factory layout, process automation and faster machines), implemented robust controls (quality assurance, food hygiene and H&S standards) and achieved BRC Accreditation (business processes and audit compliance). Show less

United Kingdom

GENERAL MANAGEMENT: Transformed manufacturing operations capability to support doubling business turnover and size. Led cultural change to a professionally run business with investments in JIT systems, lean manufacturing and production facilities (factory layout, process automation, new equipment and shift working). MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT: Led team (Factory Manager, Shift Managers & Team Supervisors) to achieve >98% service levels. Implemented robust controls (inventory,… Show more GENERAL MANAGEMENT: Transformed manufacturing operations capability to support doubling business turnover and size. Led cultural change to a professionally run business with investments in JIT systems, lean manufacturing and production facilities (factory layout, process automation, new equipment and shift working). MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT: Led team (Factory Manager, Shift Managers & Team Supervisors) to achieve >98% service levels. Implemented robust controls (inventory, working capital and cost overheads), demand planning / production scheduling, best practice (SOPs, quality assurance, health & safety, food hygiene standards), KPI reporting metrics and staff training (multi-skilling). Show less

SENIOR OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT: Ran large-scale 24/7 manufacturing operations (250+ people). Led relocation to a £multi-million new build food manufacturing facility based in London, including full factory commissioning and working in a highly unionised environment for the production of chilled, ambient and hot food products. Expanded production operations for a rapidly growing company.EARLY CAREER DEVELOPMENT - Manufacturing, Operations & Trained Artisan Baker- Manufacturing… Show more SENIOR OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT: Ran large-scale 24/7 manufacturing operations (250+ people). Led relocation to a £multi-million new build food manufacturing facility based in London, including full factory commissioning and working in a highly unionised environment for the production of chilled, ambient and hot food products. Expanded production operations for a rapidly growing company.EARLY CAREER DEVELOPMENT - Manufacturing, Operations & Trained Artisan Baker- Manufacturing Manager, BRITISH BAKERIES- Shift Manager, KARA FOODS- Chef, Artisan Baker & Production Manager Show less

The Ned Accelerator Program, Non Executive Director & Ned Board Governance

NEDONBOARD accelerated learning programme on non-executive director roles and developing board governance skills. Includes industry.

Iod Effective Marketing Strategies

Iod Finance For Non Finance Directors

Business Growth & Development Course

Business Growth & Development Course - CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY