Having lurked on these forums, may I ask for some advice on my profile.I (recently, now aged 40) left industry and roles such as Import/Export Manager, Supply Chain Manager, Head of Logistics and Compliance for SMEs. I left to do more of what I enjoy and set up a Ltd company consultancy, not intending to grow beyond being an independent. I provide advice, ongoing support and consultancy in matters of international trade operations, logistics and compliance. I don't yet have much practical experience as an external consultant, but I'm learning reasonably fast; read some books cover to cover and jumped on to the level 7 Diploma in Consulting, which I realise has bad publicity but I wanted the confidence and something to support my independent status. I'm now finding that work is coming through from larger consultancies that have a capability gap.It got me thinking whether I should consider entering the market, perhaps as an experienced hire. I have no idea how I look on paper against the competition. I have (probably too many) qualifications, but they might not be worth much in this industry, with so much talk about MBAs.In short I hold professional qualifications (and membership status) of the Institute of Export and International Trade, Chartered Institute Logistics & Transport and Chartered Institute Purchase & Supply, two of those with distinction. I also have an MSc (distinction) International Business, although that's from the University of Ulster (around 60th of 130 or so universities...). Plus the Level 7 Diploma in Consulting and various other shorter qualifications e.g. BTEC advanced awards and specialist accreditations in change management, facilitation and workshops, project management, international trade specialist etc. I'll soon have APMP.Should I decide to try an enter a consultancy, what might I expect, if anything...?Sorry for the long post, if you're still awake at this point...Ta

Find a consultancy that is looking for somebody that does logistics and that sort of stuff and apply... I can't imagine any reason why you wouldn't fit the bill...

Albie & Howmuch Incorporated

If you lump procurement and supply chain together, I'd say that's one of the bigger growth areas in terms of profile and therefore candidate recruitment at the moment.I would say you'd be well placed to enter into that market base on the above information...

I think you'd be a great fit for a firm with a specialist Ops practice (many of the larger ones have these and it's a niche that's growing quickly). Recruiting for Ops practices is often run separately from the main recruiting (i.e., you'll probably be interviewed by someone who knows what your qualifications means) and in my experience, the people tend to be a bit older than the average consultant.

I disagree entirely with Richthekeeper and Consultingcoach - the OP simply does not have the profile to move into a serious ops consulting practice. What will actually happen is that he will get bandied around the market for a while, ignored by serious ops practices, and wind up joining some fourth rate me-too band of contractors trying to sell what they can to...SMEs.Howmuch - if business is starting to filter through from some of the big firms where they have a capability gap, just keep exploiting that. You will keep much more of what you earn (Cool can advise on the tax issues for contracting) as well as establish yourself much more quickly and immediately with client stakeholders. But disregard thoughts/advice of entering a blue chip consulting firm in ops - the odds are very much against it.

+1

Agree with Mars. If business is already coming your way, much better to sub-contract through larger firms than join them as an employee.