We Talk With Charlie King - Wolf's Supply Chain Coordinator

We recently spoke to Charlie King, Wolf's Supply Chain Coordinator. Who works closely with our suppliers and helps Wolf with sourcing components and warehouse logistics. 

• Tell us a little bit about your background before joining Wolf

I joined Wolf straight after doing my A-levels (Psychology, Maths and PE), as an apprentice, for which I did an NVQ in manufacturing operations. My main work experience before joining Wolf was working for a year at Pizza Express in Meadowhall – the big shopping center in Sheffield.

• Tell us about your current role at Wolf and what you enjoy most about it

My official title is Supply Chain Coordinator, basically I manage the whole process of sourcing, supplier relationships, warehousing, logistics.  You name it, I do it!

What do I like most?  I’d say it’s the people I manage – Michael and Dylan, we’re a good team; they get on with everything and we have a laugh.  I think that’s the main thing that makes coming to work so enjoyable.

• What is the hardest part of your role

I’d say it’s sourcing components.  During the COVID crisis, a lot of components became unavailable, and those that were available suddenly became much more expensive.  Sourcing them at both the right price and at the right time for production was a huge challenge. 

• How did Covid affect your role

As well as the difficulty in sourcing components, it was a big change not being able to meet colleagues and suppliers in person.  I’m very much a face-to-face person, I’d rather see somebody if I can than communicate by email, and it was much more difficult to build relationships.  So, like everybody else, I took advantage of Teams – and it had some advantages, I could speak to suppliers without having to travel for up to 2 to 3 hours.

• How do you think what you do helps contribute to Wolf’s success?

That’s a good question!  Well, we all play our part, of course, but if I and my team don’t get it right, manufacturing could grind to a holt! We’re the first part of the chain – we have to ensure that we get all the components in to Wolf at the right quality, quantity, time and price.  If we get any of those wrong, there could be consequences further down the line

• Can you describe a typical day?

I don’t really have a typical day, if I’m honest. I could spend all day at my desk, writing emails or attending meetings, or I could be more involved in sorting things out in operations.  Today, for example, we’ve been unloading a lorry for an hour. But, typically, I might have  a couple of meetings a day, lot of email communication, both with suppliers and different departments within Wolf. 

I work very closely with other departments within Wolf; especially Sales, Finance and Manufacturing.  That’s probably another reason why I enjoy my role so much, it’s not just the same thing every day.

• What are your biggest achievements within Wolf?

Number 1 would be completing all my exams, I am currently in process of becoming a Chartered member of the CIPS [Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply], which has taken around 3 years.  And of course, getting promoted to manage the Supply and Procurement team here at Wolf.

• On a personal note, what are your hobbies outside of work?

I’m sports mad! And very sociable, too!  I play football and golf, go to the gym and socialise with friends and family too. I coach an under 11s football team, which I’ve done for 4 years, and referee at a semi-professional level, which takes up most Saturdays, and Tuesday nights as well, sometimes. I’d say refereeing is probably my number 1 hobby, and it’s something I would like to take further, if I can.

Thank You Charlie! It was great speaking to you!