Supply Chain Manager
Staffordshire
£60,000 -£65,000
The Supply Chain Manager plays a critical leadership role in driving the effective flow of materials and information across the supply chain—from customer demand through to on-time delivery to production. This role is responsible for overseeing and optimising all aspects of supply chain operations including demand planning, inventory management, warehousing, material kitting, and logistics to ensure that production is supported on time, every time.
The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of end-to-end supply chain processes, demonstrate proactive leadership, and foster a culture of operational excellence, continuous improvement, and collaboration across teams and with external partners.
Performance Targets:
Improve demand forecast accuracy and reduce order variances by 20% within 12 months
Achieve 99% material availability to production at the point of use
Reduce overall inventory holding by 25% within 12 months
Cut material lead times by 20% via planning and logistics optimisation
Increase warehouse and kitting efficiency by 25% within 12 months
Improve team engagement and performance by 20% (based on EES Score)
Demand & Supply Planning
Own and manage the demand signal from customer orders through to material availability for production.
Collaborate with Planning and Sales teams to ensure accurate contract reviews and forecast alignment.
Implement and lead Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process to balance supply with demand.
Use data and analytics to anticipate material needs and minimize shortages or excess inventory.
. Warehousing & Inventory Management
Oversee warehousing operations ensuring safe, efficient, and organized storage of materials.
Implement best-in-class inventory control processes (e.g., cycle counting, ABC analysis, FIFO).
Ensure 100% material traceability and accountability throughout the Kitting & Material Presentation
Implement a robust kitting strategy to ensure materials are picked, staged, and delivered to production lines in a timely and accurate manner.
Ensure kitting processes support takt time and production schedules with zero disruptions.
Align kitting outputs with Just-In-Time (JIT) and lean manufacturing principles.
. Procurement & Vendor Management
Oversee supplier performance to ensure timely delivery of quality materials.
Support vendor development, qualification, and regular performance reviews.
Optimize supplier lead times and work collaboratively on VMI (Vendor Managed Inventory) or Kanban strategies.
Logistics & Material Flow
Manage inbound and outbound logistics, ensuring cost-effective and timely transportation.
Collaborate with production and planning teams to optimize the flow of materials and WIP.
Introduce agile logistics practices to increase flexibility and responsiveness.
. People & Leadership
Develop and coach a high-performing supply chain team with clear performance and development goals (PDRs).
Drive team engagement through regular communication, coaching, and recognition.
Maintain an up-to-date skills matrix and succession plan.
Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
. SQCDP (Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, People) Leadership
Use the SQCDP framework to drive and measure performance across all areas of responsibility.
Lead daily stand-ups and structured team meetings to review progress and remove roadblocks.
Lead root cause analysis and problem-solving activities (Kaizen, A3s, 8Ds) to address issues.
Preferred Qualifications:
Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations Management, or related field.
5+ years of experience in supply chain or operations management roles.
Proven track record of managing complex material flows in manufacturing environments.
Strong knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and lean methodologies (JIT, Kanban, 5S).
Excellent leadership, analytical, and communication skills