Supply Chain Manager - Distribution
Location: Manchester
Salary: GBP40,000 - GBP45,000 per annum
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm
Working Pattern: Office based
The Role
An established Manchester-based distribution business is seeking a Supply Chain Manager to lead its end-to-end supply chain, procurement and customer service functions.
Reporting directly to the Managing Director, this is a hands‑on leadership role with accountability for supplier performance, inventory strategy, customer OTIF delivery and overall supply chain efficiency. The successful candidate will be comfortable operating at both strategic and operational level, while directly managing complex suppliers, order books and customer commitments.
The role owns the complete supply chain journey, from purchase order placement and inbound supply through to customer dispatch, delivery confirmation and contract performance. Please note, this role is not heavy on day‑to‑day purchasing and procurement activity.
You’ll be either a seasoned Supply Chain Professional, or perhaps have completed relevant higher education and have industry experience gained through internships/placements/graduate schemes within a large organisation. We’re open to speaking to candidates at both ends of the spectrum.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Stakeholder Management
* Overall responsibility for Procurement, Order Processing and Customer Service functions
* Line management and development of an office‑based Supply Chain & Customer Service team (circa 4 direct reports)
* Acting as a key interface between customers, suppliers and internal commercial teams
* Working closely with the Managing Director and senior stakeholders to support commercial and operational objectives
End-to-End Supply Chain Management
* Full ownership of the end-to-end supply chain, from supplier engagement through to customer delivery
* Hands‑on placement of purchase and sales orders, creation and management of order books
* Proactive review of customer order books, identifying risks and implementing solutions to avoid delays
* Accountability for customer OTIF performance, late order resolution and delivery confirmation
* Participation in customer contract reviews and regular customer meetings to resolve issues or escalate risks
Procurement & Supplier Management
* Managing a multi‑million‑pound procurement spend (GBP2.5m stockholding)
* Negotiating pricing, terms and agreements with key suppliers during RFQ and day‑to‑day purchasing activity
* Building and maintaining strong supplier relationships, including engagement with overseas suppliers in the Far East
* Improving supplier performance to increase stock availability without increasing inventory value
* Understanding and managing international lead times, Incoterms and seasonal impacts (e.g. Chinese New Year)
Inventory & Demand Planning
* Strategic and operational oversight of stock across a high‑SKU environment
* Managing stock levels using replenishment techniques such as Min/Max, Order Point/Order Quantity and Up‑To systems
* Forecasting demand while accounting for seasonality and changing customer requirements
* Managing time‑critical, perishable and short shelf‑life products to minimise write‑offs and residual stock
Logistics & 3PL Management
* Management of 3PL partners, including escalation of service issues
* Monitoring logistics performance and benchmarking costs
* Identifying opportunities to reduce spend through consolidation, efficiency improvements and minimising additional charges
* Coordinating shipping, dispatch and arrival schedules to reduce landed costs
Systems, Reporting & Continuous Improvement
* Extensive use of Excel to analyse large datasets and produce clear, actionable reports
* Developing new KPI reports to support decision‑making across supply chain and customer performance
* Reviewing and updating SOPs, particularly in line with ERP system implementations
* Driving continuous improvement
About You
* Degree qualified or equivalent professional experience
* Proven experience in supply chain or operations management
* Strong commercial awareness and experience supporting customer contracts
* Confident negotiating with suppliers and managing third‑party partners
* Highly analytical, with advanced Excel and reporting capability
* Comfortable operating in a hands‑on role while leading a team
* Strong communicator, effective with customers, suppliers and senior stakeholders
* Experience working with or implementing ERP and supply chain systems
What's on Offer
* A senior, visible role within a stable and well‑established business
* Exposure to senior leadership and strategic decision‑making
* Competitive salary of GBP40,000 - GBP45,000
* Long‑term career development and progression
We use generative AI tools to support our candidate screening process. This helps us ensure fair, consistent, and efficient experience for all applicants. Rest assured, all final decisions are made by our hiring team, and your application will be reviewed with care and attention
The Adecco Group UK & Ireland is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
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