Head of Supply Chain

TAY Recruitment Ltd; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job description

Job Title: Head of Supply Chain
Location: Maesteg
Salary: GBP50,000 to GBP55,000
Job Type: Permanent

About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Supply Chain to lead and optimise our end-to-end supply chain operations. This pivotal role encompasses procurement, planning, inventory management, and logistics, ensuring material availability, improving delivery performance, and driving operational efficiency to support production and customer fulfilment. The ideal candidate will have a blend of hands-on operational oversight and forward-thinking strategic planning, ensuring the seamless execution of supply chain activities to meet business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic & Operational Leadership
   Develop and execute supply chain strategies aligned with business goals.
   Drive performance through planning, inventory control, and supplier management.
   Contribute to the company’s strategic objectives through robust material planning and demand fulfilment.
2. Procurement & Supplier Management
   Manage sourcing activities and supplier relationships to ensure value for money, quality, and on-time delivery.
   Negotiate and oversee supplier contracts with a focus on risk management, cost control, and reliability.
3. Costings Management
   Apply core manufacturing costing principles for accurate material valuation and cost control.
   Support commercial and operational decision-making through timely and reliable cost analysis.
4. Planning & Inventory
   Oversee Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) to align supply and demand.
   Optimise inventory levels to balance working capital and service levels.
5. Logistics & Fulfilment
   Manage inbound and outbound logistics, including transport planning, goods receiving, and dispatch.
   Ensure timely delivery of materials to the production facility and finished goods to customers.
6. Performance Management & Improvement
   Establish KPIs to measure supply chain performance and identify improvement opportunities.
   Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance reliability, reduce costs, and simplify operations.
7. Team Development & Engagement
   Manage and support the development of supply chain personnel, fostering a culture of accountability and growth.
   Collaborate closely with Sales, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Quality to ensure alignment across the value stream.

Qualifications & Experience
Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or a related field from an accredited institution.
Professional Certifications such as MCIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply), APICS (Association for Supply Chain Management), or equivalent are highly desirable.

Experience:
6-8 years of professional experience in procurement, supply chain management, or a related field.
3-5 years in a leadership role managing procurement and/or supply chain teams.
Industry experience in manufacturing is preferred, with expertise in passive fire safety being an advantage.

Technical Knowledge & Skills
Strong understanding of procurement best practices and supplier negotiations.
Proficiency in MRP/ERP systems and inventory control principles.
Experience with logistics operations, warehousing, and distribution planning.
Ability to interpret and act on supply chain KPIs (e.g., OTIF, inventory turns).
Advanced Excel and reporting tool skills for data-driven decision-making.

Personal Attributes
Hands-on, pragmatic, and calm under pressure.
Strong cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder alignment skills.
Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.