The Company

A well established market leader in technical materials, our UK headquartered client is an expert in the design and manufacture of high- performance products catering for the demanding applications across a wide and diverse span of industries, including but not limited to: Defence, Automotive, Aerospace, Pharmaceutical, Food, Medical, Industrial and Filtration.

Job Summary:

The Head of Supply Chain is a senior leadership role within this fast-growing SME, responsible for overseeing and enhancing the company’s entire supply chain function to support rapid growth. This role requires a strategic thinker with a proven ability to manage key supplier relationships, conduct annual reviews, and identify new strategic supply partnerships that align with the company’s objectives and create and implement strategies to minimise supply chain risk. As a member of the executive leadership team, the Head of Supply Chain will drive supply chain efficiency, cost reduction, and performance while ensuring seamless communication across departments.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Supply Chain Leadership:

• Develop and implement a strategic supply chain framework that aligns with the company’s growth and business objectives.
• Review and optimise current supply chain systems, processes, and procedures to enhance efficiency and support company growth.
• Implement cost reduction strategies through effective supply chain management, negotiation, and strategic sourcing.

Supplier Relationship Management:

• Manage and strengthen relationships with key suppliers, ensuring they meet the company’s standards for quality, delivery, and cost.
• Conduct annual reviews of supplier performance, identifying areas for improvement and implementing corrective actions as necessary.
• Negotiate favourable terms and contracts with suppliers, focusing on long-term partnerships and strategic alignment with company objectives.

Strategic Sourcing and Partnerships:

• Identify and evaluate potential new suppliers and strategic partners that align with the company’s objectives and growth plans.
• Develop and implement strategies for sourcing new suppliers, ensuring they meet quality, cost, and delivery requirements.
• Build and maintain a pipeline of strategic supplier partnerships to support the company’s evolving needs and objectives.

Cross-Departmental Liaison:

• Collaborate with Finance, Sales, Production, Planning, and other departments to ensure supply chain strategies support overall business operations.

Cost Management and Risk Mitigation:

• Identify and mitigate key risks in the supply chain, ensuring continuity and resilience.
• Monitor and report on supply chain performance, implementing strategies to reduce annual spend while maintaining quality and service levels.
• Stay informed about market trends and supply chain developments to proactively address potential risks and opportunities.

Leadership and Team Development:

• Lead, develop and grow  the supply chain team, ensuring they have the skills, resources, and support needed to succeed in a fast-paced environment.

Ideal Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or a related field; a master’s degree is a plus.
• CIPS qualification
• Proven experience in a senior supply chain or logistics role, preferably within a fast-growing manufacturing SME or dynamic environment.
• High proficiency in supply chain management software and MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Strong negotiation skills with the ability to secure favourable terms and build strategic supplier relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to manage risks within the supply chain while driving cost efficiencies.

The Work Environment

• This is a predominantly office based role with some flexibility for working from home one day per week.
• The role requires regular interaction with various departments and external suppliers.
• May require occasional travel to supplier locations or industry events.

This job advert outlines the key responsibilities and requirements for the role, but is not exhaustive. The full Job Description will be provided upon request.