Jamie Beck, the founder and Director of JAKS SOLUTIONS, is a senior leader with 19 years’ experience working with international retail and supply chains. Driven, compelling, well-organised and consistently results-oriented with a track record of inspiring high performing teams and collaborations to deliver impact at scale.
Currently, Managing Director of JAKS SOLUTIONS LTD, a Sustainability and Supply Chain Management Consultancy working with business and organisations to add value to existing operations and turn ideas into action.
At Arcadia Group Ltd, in his role as Arcadia’s ‘Head of Supplier Management’, Jamie was accountable for a wide range of areas, including managing all aspects of Supplier Management for all 7 of Arcadia’s brands.
The Arcadia Group’ principal activities are the retailing wholesaling and franchising of clothing and accessories in the UK and internationally through stores and the internet. The Group trades under the brand names Topshop, Topman, Dorothy Perkins, Burton, Wallis, Evans, Miss Selfridge and Outfit. Group turnover is more than GBP 1.8 million per annum. https://www.arcadiagroup.co.uk/
Jamie’s role entailed managing over 600 suppliers, 1000+ factories in over 50 countries. He was responsible for building, monitoring and managing these relationships. Jamie worked closely with group sourcing to track sourcing patterns and provide detailed product information to the business.
Jamie led Arcadia’s Sustainability programme ‘Fashion Footprint’, which incorporates both the social and environmental dimensions of the way Arcadia manages its business and supply chain. In his position Jamie led the fashion footprint steering group, reporting directly to the Chief Executive to provide strategic oversight; ensuring that sustainability-related opportunities realised, and risks managed effectively, and resources allocated in the right way.
Providing expertise and value in all areas of Supplier Management to reduce costs, increase speed to market and ensure goods are delivered ‘right first time’. Comprehensive experience in the following areas:
Identifying supply chain cost savings
Manging the cost to serve customers & clients
Risk assessments of supply chains
Supplier sourcing and selection
Strategic supplier reviews – increase, reduce, maintain
Supplier intro and exit strategies
Working with suppliers to improve their performance and capabilities
Development of supplier rating methodologies
Reporting and using supplier data effectively
Adding value to businesses by creating, developing and improving their Sustainability strategies by:
Reviewing current business operations to identify risks and opportunities (including financial)
Creating appropriate governance structures and workstreams to maximise success
Setting applicable business policies, procedures and guidelines
Developing internal and external communication schedules to engage employees and customers
Mapping, engaging and managing internal and external stakeholder relationships
Creating suitable targets to drive immediate and long-term achievements
Creating practical reporting and monitoring tools ensuring necessary data is collected, analysed and feedback
Offering expertise on all areas of Ethical Trading and Modern Slavery, from Code of Conduct management to developing beyond audit solutions. Including:
Developing social audit and monitoring programs
Experience in creating, implementing and monitoring Codes of Conduct
Creating Modern Slavery Statements
Proving appropriate toolkits to manage Ethical Trading
Creating automated web-based platforms to manage the supply chain and audit information
Mapping and risk assessing complex supply chains
Development of beyond auditing programmes
Providing expert advice and guidance on vulnerable worker groups, e.g. Migrant, Contract, Homeworkers
Creating internal/external training programs to raise awareness and change behaviour
Extensive experience in managing disruptive, unexpected events that threaten to damage businesses reputations, activities and their stakeholders. With skills and techniques required to identify, assess, understand, and cope with a difficult situation.
Experience in acting quickly to resolve immediate impacts and limit risks
Creating, reviewing and developing crisis management strategies
Developing stakeholder roles and responsibilities
Creating due diligence plans to support business credibility
Using a crisis to develop opportunities
Helping businesses learn from a disaster to establish future stronger business models
Support companies dealing with media exposes and enquiries
Extensive experience in all aspects of Quality Management. The capability of advising on activities and tasks required to maintain the desired level of quality. Creating policy, implementing quality planning and assurance as well as quality control and improvements. Activities include:
Development and management of quality and delivery standards
Management of global inspection programmes
Working with specialist inspection companies
Reviewing and improving quality management systems, including AQL Management
Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
+44 7971188068
