Supply Chain Manager
Newcastle Upon Tyne
£55,000p/a
About the Role
Central Employment are currently recruiting on behalf of a growing SME within the Food & Drink Manufacturing industry for a Supply Chain Manager. Suitable candidates would be responsible for leading supply planning and procurement activities across the business, ensuring that raw materials and packaging are sourced, planned, and available to support production schedules. This role plays a critical part in balancing customer demand with supplier capability, managing supplier relationships, and driving cost‑effective procurement strategies to support business performance and growth. The Supply Chain Manager reports directly to the Managing Director.
Responsibilities
Supply Planning
* Develop and maintain robust supply plans, with co‑ownership of the S&OP process
* Work closely with production and logistics teams to ensure material availability aligns with manufacturing requirements
* Liaise with logistics to monitor and optimise inventory levels, supporting effective working capital management
* Identify supply risks and develop contingency plans to mitigate potential production disruptions
Procurement
* Lead the sourcing and procurement of all raw materials and packaging required for production
* Build strong, collaborative relationships with key suppliers to support business growth and resilience
* Resolve supplier issues, shortages, and quality concerns quickly and effectively
* Secure competitive pricing through effective tendering, negotiation, and long‑term supply agreements
* Ensure all procurement activity complies with food safety, quality, and ethical sourcing standards
* Manage the approval of new suppliers in collaboration with the technical team
* Drive continuous cost improvement initiatives across the supply base
Cross‑Functional Collaboration
* Work closely with sales, logistics, and production teams to ensure supply plans are executed on time and in full
* Partner with NPD and technical teams to support new product launches and onboarding of new suppliers
* Ensure compliance with all relevant regulatory, food safety, and site‑specific requirements
Qualifications
Key Attributes
* Strong supply planning and demand management capability
* Commercial acumen with proven contract negotiation and cost management skills
* Excellent analytical ability, with confidence using supply planning tools and systems
* Strong leadership and communication skills, able to operate effectively cross‑functionally
* Highly organised approach, with the ability to prioritise and respond quickly in a fast‑moving environment
* Sound understanding of supply chain risk management and contingency planning
* A proactive problem‑solving mindset, able to act decisively when operational issues arise
Additional
* A strong progression plan will be in place for suitable candidates
* Must be able to work 5 days a week on site
If you feel this role could be for you, we'd like to hear from you!