About the job

• Role Highlights This is a rare opportunity for a hands-on Supply Chain Manager to take ownership of strategic procurement, inventory analytics and forecasting within a growing business. The role will suit someone who has built depth across the full supply chain, from sourcing and supplier management through to stock optimisation and demand planning, and who enjoys turning data into practical decisions that improve cost, service and resilience. Role Overview Reporting to senior leadership, this Supply Chain Manager will play a critical role in leading the end-to-end supply chain, spanning strategic procurement, demand and supply planning, inventory management and supplier performance. Sitting at the intersection of commercial, operations, engineering, quality and finance, you will integrate demand with supply, capacity and inventory to protect product availability, control cost and reduce risk. Working closely with senior stakeholders, you will set priorities, shape sourcing strategy and ensure planning decisions support business objectives.This is not a role centred solely on planning forums. It calls for someone who has lived in the detail of procurement, inventory and analytics, and who can lead a cross-functional planning process while also owning the numbers behind it. You will lead a team of procurement specialists, buyers and planners, negotiate supply agreements, own inventory strategy and targets, and use data to anticipate stockouts, excess and obsolete stock, and supplier risk before they affect customers.The planning process is relatively new and gaining traction. A key focus will be continuing that momentum rather than restarting it, strengthening forecast accuracy, planning parameters and reporting, and embedding more mature, data-led ways of working across the function. While the system is specific to the business and can be learned, exposure to a comparable ERP or planning platform will help you get up to speed quickly. Responsibilities Lead the end-to-end supply chain, including strategic procurement, demand planning, inventory management and supplier performance.
• Develop and implement sourcing strategies that deliver best-cost outcomes while meeting service, quality and sustainability objectives.
• Negotiate supply agreements, targeting strong contract coverage, favourable pricing and improved payment terms.
• Lead quarterly supplier business reviews to drive on-time delivery, quality improvement and corrective actions.
• Own inventory strategy and targets, optimising stock levels and actively reducing excess and obsolete inventory.
• Build and maintain dashboards and reports tracking forecast accuracy, stock health, service levels and supplier performance.
• Lead the S&OP cycle, balancing demand, supply, capacity and inventory and driving decisions and actions to closure.
• Develop robust demand forecasts using historical data, market trends and input from sales, marketing and other internal teams.
• Improve planning parameter integrity, including lead times, minimum order quantities, safety stocks and order frequencies.
• Lead, coach and develop procurement and planning team members, setting clear priorities and development plans.
• Partner with engineering, quality, manufacturing, logistics, sales and finance to support product launches and operational needs.
• Ensure supplier compliance with sustainability requirements and promote responsible procurement and total cost of ownership thinking.
• Candidate Profile