Supply Chain Improvement Leader

Oxford Instruments GmbH; Bristol; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job description

Supply Chain Improvement Leader

Date: 19 Mar 2025

Location: Bristol, GB

Job Function: Operations

Business Unit: Plasma Technology

We are excited to announce an opportunity for a Supply Chain Improvement Lead at our Severn Beach, Bristol location. This pivotal role at Plasma Technology is essential to guarantee that our customers receive their products on schedule, at the best possible cost, and with uncompromising quality.

This is a highly visible role reporting directly to the Head of the Supply Chain, with direct engagement with the Executive Leadership Team. You will be pivotal in driving supply chain performance enhancements through lean methodology and the continuous optimization of processes, systems, and tools. You will actively collaborate within the Supply Chain team and lead cross-functional teams to design and implement strategic projects that will create a major impact on performance. Your leadership in this capacity will be vital to our success.

The successful candidate will be an experienced supply chain professional who excels in driving continuous improvement while delivering sustainable business benefits. You should possess exceptional technical and communication skills, particularly in recognizing and implementing industry best practices within the supply chain. Strong leadership and management experience are crucial for spearheading transformative change in our Supply Chain function. As a valued member of our Management Team, you will play a key role in executing our business strategy, building robust relationships with other departments, and championing ongoing development across Plasma Technology. Join us in making a significant impact!

Key Responsibilities

• Working with the Head of Supply Chain, define and implement best practice processes to meet the target operating model.
• Develop & implement a standard playbook & toolset for supply chain management.
• Development of standardized reporting for supply chain in areas such as:
• Order book management
• Shortage management
• Cost down
• Supplier performance scorecards
• Drive ERP compliance and best practices to ensure input and output data are accurate.
• Development of Data Governance framework for ERP across the supply chain.
• Identify skills gaps and develop training to support the purchasing function.
• Evolve and automate the Supply Chain KPIs and establish and execute phased improvements.
• Develop and implement improvement governance, including visual management, that enables cross-functional engagement, idea generation, prioritization, and effective escalation.

Education/Qualifications

• 5+ years of Supply chain experience (Purchasing manager or other).
• MCIPS or similar degree.
• Project management qualifications an advantage.

Professional Skills/Abilities

• Experience with and sound knowledge of end-to-end complex manufacturing supply chains.
• Strong experience with Lean methodology within the supply chain & Purchasing processes.
• An ERP/MRP subject matter expert, with strong data capture and analysis skills.
• Process Improvement Expertise: Proficiency in Lean, Six Sigma, or other process improvement methodologies.
• Analytical Skills: Ability to analyze data, identify inefficiencies, and develop data-driven solutions.
• Project Management: Strong project management skills to lead improvement initiatives from conception to implementation.
• Communication: Effective communication skills to collaborate with and lead cross-functional teams and convey improvement strategies.
• Change Management: Experience in driving and managing change within an organization.
• Leadership: Ability to lead and inspire teams to embrace a culture of continuous improvement.
• Able to engage cross-functional teams towards desired outcomes, utilizing training and coaching effectively.

At Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology, we provide tools for the engineering of micro- and nano-structures, with customers using our process solutions to research and produce materials and semiconductors vital for everything from medical devices and diagnostics to electric cars and quantum computers.

Benefits

In addition to a competitive starting salary, Oxford Instruments also offers structured career development opportunities, a good work-life balance, private healthcare, a share incentive plan, 25 days annual leave, half-days on Fridays, a defined contribution Group Personal Pension Plan, and a flexible benefits package that you can tailor to your own requirements.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and would ask you to get in touch if you are concerned about any barriers you feel you may be facing in your application process with us.

Note to recruitment agencies: Oxford Instruments operates a Preferred Supplier List, and we do not accept unsolicited agency CVs. Please do not forward candidate details in response to this advert, or to any Oxford Instruments employees or other company locations. Oxford Instruments is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited CVs.