Position: Head of Supply Chain and Manufacturing
Reporting to: Operations Director
Role Overview
We are recruiting a commercially minded and operationally strong Head of Supply Chain & Manufacturing to lead our supply chain strategy and execution across two manufacturing sites. This is a senior leadership role, reporting directly to the Operations Director, with full accountability for procurement, planning, logistics, inventory, and production operations. The ideal candidate will bring a strategic mindset, hands-on leadership, and a track record of building resilient, efficient, and scalable supply chains. You’ll be responsible for ensuring our products are delivered on time, to spec and in the most cost-effective way whilst fostering a culture of continuous improvement, safety and operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities
* Supply Chain Leadership: Develop and execute a supply chain strategy that supports business growth, improves service levels, and drives cost efficiency across procurement, planning, and logistics.
* Procurement & Supplier Management: Lead sourcing and supplier relationships, ensuring quality, reliability, and commercial value. Negotiate contracts and build long-term partnerships with key vendors.
* Planning & Inventory: Oversee demand planning, production scheduling, and inventory control to maintain optimal stock levels and minimise waste. Plan production to make the most efficient use of resources and total adherence to food safety and quality requirements.
* Logistics & Distribution: Manage warehousing and outbound logistics, ensuring timely and accurate delivery to customers and partners.
* Manufacturing Oversight: Provide strategic direction to manufacturing teams, ensuring alignment with supply chain goals and continuous improvement in safety, productivity and quality.
* Systems & Data: Champion the use of ERP and supply chain systems to improve visibility, forecasting, and decision-making. Use data to identify risks, opportunities, and performance gaps.
* Team Development: Build and lead a high-performing operations team. Set clear objectives, coach and mentor managers, and support career development across the function.
* Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Commercial, Finance, Product, and Quality teams to ensure supply chain alignment with broader business priorities.
* Compliance & Risk Management: Ensure full compliance with health, safety, hygiene, and environmental standards. Identify operational risks and implement mitigation strategies.
Essential Skills, Experience and Qualifications
* Degree level qualification or equivalent within a suitable discipline i.e. business, manufacturing.
* Previous experience in a similar role / demonstratable career development within manufacturing and within the food industry is essential.
* Experience of leading a team to achieve positive results.
* Familiarity with and knowledge of the operations of production, quality, maintenance, materials management etc.
* Strong business acumen and a working knowledge of process control and continual improvement tools.
* Thorough knowledge of plant operations and procedures.
* Excellent trouble-shooter with the ability to resolve problems effectively, and within a cost-effective manner.
* Excellent communication skills with demonstrable record of influencing at all levels within an organisation with a participative management style.
* Confident decision maker who understands the commercial implications of decisions.
* Effective team player.
* Proven track record of delivering performance improvements.
* Previous managerial experience, with knowledge and experience of HR processes.
* Food safety qualification level 3 and above.
* People management qualification to level 5 or higher e.g. ILM or NVQ.
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