Supply Chain Manager
Location: London, minimum 2 days onsite preferred
Type: Permanent
Sector: Defence / Aerospace / UAV
Overview
We are supporting a growing defence engineering business in the unmanned systems sector that is looking to strengthen its supply chain capability as part of a wider scale-up in product delivery and manufacturing readiness. They are seeking a Supply Chain Manager to manage supplier relationships, support sourcing strategy, and drive commercial engagement across a supplier base focused on components and metallic parts. This is a key role for someone who can combine supplier relationship management, commercial awareness, contracts understanding, and client-facing capability in a growing, delivery-driven business.
Role Purpose
The successful candidate will take ownership of supplier relationships and help build a more robust and scalable supply chain capable of supporting a growing engineering and manufacturing operation. The focus will be on ensuring suppliers can deliver the required quality, cost, and lead-time performance, while also supporting the business in commercial and contractual discussions.
Key Responsibilities
Manage relationships with suppliers providing components, metallic parts, and other key manufacturing inputs
Develop and maintain a supply chain capable of supporting growth in engineering and production activity
Work with suppliers to improve delivery performance, responsiveness, quality, and cost
Support commercial and contractual discussions with suppliers
Contribute to sourcing strategy and supplier selection
Act as a key interface between the business and external suppliers
Work closely with engineering, manufacturing, and programme teams to ensure supplier capability aligns with delivery needs
Identify supply chain risks and develop mitigation plans
Help build a more structured supply chain model to support business growth and manufacturing scale-up
Maintain strong client and stakeholder relationships where supply chain performance has a direct impact on programme deliveryWhat you will need
Experience in supply chain, supplier management, procurement, or commercial roles within engineering, aerospace, defence, or manufacturing environments
Strong experience managing supplier relationships for components and metallic parts
Commercially aware, with understanding of contracts, supplier negotiations, and delivery risk
Able to operate confidently with both suppliers and internal stakeholders
Strong communication and relationship management skills
Experience in a scaling or fast-paced engineering/manufacturing environment
Good understanding of how supply chain performance affects programme delivery and client outcomesDesirable
Aerospace, defence, UAV, or advanced manufacturing background
Experience in building or maturing a supply chain function
Exposure to complex engineering products and lower-volume to scaling production environments
Understanding of quality and compliance expectations in regulated sectorsSummary
This is an exciting opportunity for someone who can help build and manage the supplier ecosystem needed to support a growing unmanned systems business, with a particular focus on components, metallic parts, commercial control, and supplier relationship management