Job Title: Supply Chain Manager
Location: Cambridge – with flexible travel across the UK and Europe
Job Type: Full time
Industry: Aerospace/Defence | Start-ups & Scale-ups
Reports to: Head of Manufacturing
For this role...
The ideal candidate will have experience coming through the ranks from a manufacturing environment, progressing their career from buying, purchasing, procurement and into supply chain that has good knowledge of the whole manufacturing process, or is a qualified engineer themselves.
You will have a good understanding of budgeting, commercials, forecasting and MRP management, and a bonus if you have come from a start-up or scale-up company, ideally from automotive, aerospace or electronic component manufacturing.
About the Role...
We are seeking an experienced and strategic Supply Chain Manager to lead and develop our end-to-end supply chain function, with a strong emphasis on building the department from the ground up.
The successful candidate will bring hands-on experience in establishing scalable supply chain processes, teams, and systems within fast-paced, high-growth environments, particularly in start-up and scale-up settings.
This role will be instrumental in designing and executing our supply chain strategy across direct and indirect procurement, while ensuring efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with the operational needs of the business.
Key Responsibilities
Department Leadership & Development
* Build and lead the supply chain function from scratch, including setting up processes, systems, KPIs, and internal controls.
* Recruit, train, and manage supply chain and procurement personnel as the business scales.
* Define and implement best practices in procurement, logistics, inventory, and stores operations.
Procurement Management (Direct & Indirect)
* Lead sourcing and procurement activities for direct materials, indirect goods, and services.
* Develop procurement strategies that align with company goals, budget constraints, and regulatory compliance.
Supplier Management
* Drive supplier selection, qualification, onboarding, and ongoing performance management.
* Lead long-term and short-term commercial negotiations to secure competitive pricing and strong service-level agreements.
Cost Optimisation
* Identify and execute cost-saving initiatives through strategic sourcing, demand management, and process efficiency.
Forecasting & Planning
* Collaborate with internal stakeholders to develop accurate demand forecasts and ensure material availability.
* Integrate forecasting into procurement and stock planning systems to support operational continuity.
BOM Analysis & Alignment
* Conduct deep-dive analysis of Bills of Materials to optimise sourcing and validate costing accuracy.
* Work closely with engineering and manufacturing teams to support product lifecycle requirements.
Inventory & Stores Control
* Oversee all aspects of inventory management, including stock accuracy, safety stock, and turnover.
* Implement robust stores control procedures and continuous improvement measures.
Compliance & Standards
* Ensure adherence to applicable industry standards and regulations (e.g., AS9100, ISO, MOD/defence procurement protocols).
Qualifications & Experience
Essential:
* 5–7+ years of progressive supply chain and procurement experience.
* Proven experience in building a supply chain function or department from the ground up.
* Strong background in start-up and scale-up environments.
* Industry expertise in defence, automotive, and/or aerospace sectors.
* Track record in direct and indirect procurement, supplier management, negotiation, and cost optimisation.
* Experience in forecasting, BOM analysis, stock management, and stores operations.
Desirable:
* Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or related field.
* Professional certifications (e.g., CIPS, APICS, Lean Six Sigma).
* ERP/MRP system proficiency (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite).
Key Skills:
* Department setup and strategic leadership
* End-to-end supply chain and procurement
* Supplier development and contract negotiation
* Inventory planning and stores control
* BOM analysis and cost control
* Process design and operational scaling
* Strong analytical and interpersonal skills
* Agile mindset and adaptability to change