Department: Commercial
Location: Lee-on-the-Solent
Description
* Permanent
* Full Time
* Competitive salary
* 40 Hours per week / Flexible working
* Bembridge or Lee-on-the-Solent
The Head of Supply Chain will lead and oversee the end-to-end supply chain operations, ensuring efficient, cost-effective, and strategic procurement, logistics, inventory management, and programme planning. This role is essential in maintaining supply chain resilience and ensuring timely and high-quality delivery of goods and services to support manufacturing and MRO operations.
This position will integrate programme planning to optimise resource allocation, procurement scheduling, and supplier management in alignment with project timelines. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and maintaining supplier relationships, ensuring regulatory compliance (including ITAR), and implementing innovative sourcing and procurement strategies.
As a leader, the Head of Supply Chain will mentor and guide teams in procurement, logistics, and programme planning, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement. They will collaborate with internal stakeholders to drive efficiency, cost savings, and risk mitigation across the supply chain while ensuring alignment with Britten-Norman's strategic objectives.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead the procurement function, ensuring the timely and cost-effective sourcing of consumables, parts, and services to meet project and operational requirements.
* Task the procurement team with raising Request for Quotes (RFQs) and Purchase Orders (POs) to align with project timelines and business objectives.
* Monitor and maintain regulatory compliance, ensuring that all procurement activities comply with applicable laws and industry standards, including Form 4 responsibilities (if applicable).
* Seek and evaluate alternative supply routes to achieve project deliverables while maintaining adherence to budget and quality standards.
* Track and expedite the progress of component deliveries, ensuring on-time availability of materials.
* Provide regular and actionable reporting to the wider business, highlighting procurement activities, progress, and outcomes.
* Identify and highlight risks, issues, and delays, proactively working with the team to mitigate these challenges before they impact delivery.
Supplier Relationships and Management
* Develop and maintain strong relationships with both new and existing suppliers, continuously evaluating their performance and ensuring effective commercial terms are in place.
* Conduct a comprehensive review of key suppliers, establishing strong connections, and ensuring terms and conditions are competitive and beneficial to the business.
* Identify the top ten key suppliers and focus on complex, high-value procurement projects, interacting directly with these suppliers to ensure project objectives are met.
* Negotiate and renegotiate contracts to enhance supplier performance and ensure the best value for the business.
Inventory and Supply Chain Management
* Implement and manage an inventory system aimed at ensuring zero stock-outs, particularly for fast-moving or consumable items.
* Monitor stock levels, manage re-ordering, and track inventory to minimize waste, obsolescence, and carrying costs.
* Develop procedures for efficient logistics management, ensuring on-time delivery and optimized inventory flow in the MRO and manufacturing environments.
* Work closely with the production and MRO teams to apply Six Sigma principles to improve line-side distribution processes and reduce operational inefficiencies.
* Manage asset and stock reporting, including the turnover time for inventory, vehicles, property, and the asset register, with recommendations to add value through disposals or reallocations.
Team Leadership and Development
* Mentor and coach procurement and logistics teams, fostering an environment that promotes high performance, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
* Monitor team performance, identify resource and skills gaps, and request training as needed to address developmental needs.
* Lead by example, instilling a commitment to best practices and continuous improvement across the team.
Reporting, Risk Reduction, and Communication
* Liaise with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to provide updates on procurement strategy, risks, and key deliverables.
* Regularly provide project cost reports and updates to Project Managers, Delivery, Business, and Commercial teams to assist in decision-making and budget management.
* Update and contribute to project risk registers, ensuring procurement-related risks are captured, tracked, and mitigated effectively.
* Develop and maintain a departmental risk register, escalating any unmitigated risks to the SLT to ensure they are addressed in a timely manner.
Innovation and Sourcing
* Collaborate with the technical team to explore and implement innovative sourcing, procurement, and manufacturing strategies, positioning the company for future growth.
* Actively engage with industry innovators, meeting suppliers and other stakeholders to introduce cutting-edge cost-saving solutions and technologies that drive competitiveness.
Import/Export and ITAR Compliance
* Ensure that all import/export activities are compliant with legal and regulatory requirements, including handling the customs clearance of aircraft and components.
* Manage temporary imports of aircraft and parts in the MRO environment, ensuring compliance with customs regulations.
* Ensure all exports are properly documented and meet required regulations.
* Audit business compliance with ITAR regulations, identifying any qualifying items and ensuring their proper management throughout the supply chain.
Logistics Performance and Cost Management
* Introduce performance metrics for the end-to-end procurement process, from demand receipt to purchase order issuance, goods receipt, booking-in, and project allocation, ensuring effective supply chain management.
* Review and update logistics policies and procedures to ensure efficient cost recovery and budget adherence, including assessing in-sourcing and outsourcing options.
* Collaborate with stores teams to ensure accurate financial reporting and provide support during financial audits.
Strategic Initiatives
* Support long-term strategic supply chain initiatives, including performance measurement, supplier relationship building, and improving procurement processes to ensure future scalability and innovation.
* Contribute to improving business agility by identifying and implementing supply chain optimization opportunities across the organization.
Project Management and Planning
* Develop and track project timelines to ensure procurement aligns with production and MRO schedules.
* Identify critical path items and mitigate risks to prevent supply chain delays impacting project deadlines.
* Coordinate cross-functional project planning with procurement, production, logistics, and finance teams.
* Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to supply chain efficiency and project execution.
* Facilitate stakeholder meetings to communicate supply chain updates, risks, and progress on key initiatives.
* Ensure budget adherence by aligning supply chain activities with cost control measures in project planning.
* Implement contingency planning strategies to manage unforeseen supply chain disruptions.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
* CILT / CIPS – Level 5 or equivalent
* Previous experience is a similar role (5 years plus)
* Experience of a manufacturing or heavy maintenance environment
* Experience in an ISO9001:2015 accredited company
* Experience in import/export procedures (HMRC/Customs)
* Ability to become a Nominated Post Holder from the UK CAA
* Experience in handling ITAR equipment
* SME environment
* Strong commercial awareness
* Effective communication and influencing skills up to a senior level
* Full UK driving licence required
* Ability to achieve a UK security clearance
Benefits
* 36 annual leave days (inclusive of Bank and Public Holidays)
* Contributory pension scheme with a salary sacrifice option
* Private healthcare scheme
* Flu vaccination
* Dental and optical cover
* Employee Assistance Program
* Support with learning and professional development (courses and licenses)
* Health screening and therapies
* Digital GP
* Referral bonus
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