Heinz UK's logistics director David Armstrong has been promoted to the new role of project director for the group's global supply chain taskforce.

He will be part of an initiative that was created in January to improve capital efficiency and make savings across Heinz UK's £3bn worldwide supply and logistics chain.

The overall goal of the taskforce is to build best-in-class capabilities in purchasing, manufacturing and logistics.

Armstrong will be responsible for enhancing the taskforce's customer service, driving product and packaging innovation and reducing the environmental impact generated by supply operations.

President and chief executive of Heinz Europe Scott O'Hara will be overseeing the taskforce but Armstrong, who will be based at Heinz UK's base in Essex, will report to director of strategic intiatives Paul Sternlieb.

Armstrong was Heinz UK's logistics director for five years, working in the retail and foodservice sectors prior to taking on his new role. Before that he was a general manager in Heinz's supply chain division.

"David brings a wealth of logistics and supply chain expertise to this important new role as the global supply chain taskforce sets about improving co-ordination and reporting systems across the supply chain, and harmonising global processes to make the most of Heinz's scale among suppliers," said Sternlieb.

Heinz UK is now advertising for Armstrong's replacement, who will be based at the national distribution centre in Wigan.

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