James is a Supply Chain Planner for Unipart. After stepping into the role, he enrolled on Supply Chain Academy’s Leadership Professional Degree Apprenticeship.
During this time, he developed a suite of new skills, particularly in project management.
James said: “It’s never too late to find your drive. Reflecting on my time at school, I must admit I didn’t make the most of my academic opportunities. I often found myself bored or easily distracted by subjects that didn’t capture my interest. I eventually left school with average results ranging from C’s to F’s and without a clear career plan or direction.
For several years, I worked in various warehousing and logistical roles. However, everything changed when I moved into a planning role at Unipart; it was there that I finally harnessed a real drive for my career and developed a specific interest in material planning.
I joined Unipart in 2018 as a general operative. In 2021, an opportunity arose to step into a customer-facing role as a Supply Chain Planner with our third-party logistics partner. Following encouraging discussions with my line manager and senior management, I decided to enrol in the Supply Chain Leadership Degree Apprenticeship through Leeds Trinity University and the Supply Chain Academy.
To qualify for the programme, I first had to upskill my mathematics, a milestone that marked the first real success of my new journey.
The apprenticeship has exposed me to areas of the supply chain I had previously never considered. Understanding how every function interlinks has not only broadened my professional perspective but has directly enhanced the level of service I provide to our customers.
I have developed a suite of new skills, particularly in project management. By utilising tools such as Gantt charts, RACI matrices, and SWOT analyses, I successfully implemented a workplace improvement project that delivered significant results: ● 82% reduction in motion waste ● 50% reduction in process cycle time
This project had a profound impact on both internal and external stakeholders. On a personal level, it led to a nomination for a prestigious internal award. My team and I were delighted to be recognised for our hard work and were subsequently presented with the award at Head Office by the CEO.
I am currently the Supply Chain Contract Lead at Unipart. I firmly believe this apprenticeship has benefited both my personal development and the business as a whole. Being able to apply academic theory to real-world scenarios has made me a more valuable asset to the company.
“The apprenticeship has exposed me to areas of the supply chain I had previously never considered. Understanding how every function interlinks has not only broadened my professional perspective but has directly enhanced the level of service I provide to our customers.”
– James Black
Conclusion
James added:“To anyone considering an apprenticeship, my advice is simple: 100% go for it. Being nearly 40 years old, my biggest concerns were my “rusty” academic skills and the challenge of juggling studies with a full-time job. However, this work-based program has been a true catalyst for my career. It provided the holistic perspective I needed to bridge my knowledge gaps and evolve my capabilities in a way that enhances my performance every single day.”
