Head of Supply Chain

Head of Supply Chain

Salary: -80,000100,000
Location: Sidcup, Kent
Working Hours: Full Time, Permanent
Benefits: Guaranteed bonuses, free food & fuel, matched pension up to 10%, plus many more great benefits.

The Company

Our client is a successful and growing international manufacturer with ambitious plans for continued growth. They are now seeking an experienced and commercially focused Head of Supply Chain to lead their end-to-end supply chain function, drive change and continuous improvement, and build a high-performing team.

The Vacancy

Reporting to the Managing Director, the Head of Supply Chain will lead the end-to-end supply chain, spanning sourcing, supplier management, quality, purchasing, inventory and international logistics. This is a key leadership role for someone who can combine strategic thinking with a hands-on approach, driving operational improvements and ensuring the right products are delivered at the right time, quality and cost.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the end-to-end supply chain, developing and delivering sourcing strategies that balance cost, quality, lead times, availability and supply risk.
• Identify, evaluate, negotiate with and onboard suppliers, managing commercial terms, quality requirements, compliance and service performance while developing contingency and dual-sourcing strategies for critical products.
• Establish and maintain supplier quality standards, specifications and acceptance criteria, working closely with internal quality and warehouse teams to manage incoming goods, resolve issues and drive corrective action.
• Monitor and improve supplier performance through regular reviews, tracking areas including defects, non-conformances, returns, service levels and overall performance.
• Oversee purchasing and inventory management, including purchase orders, stock levels, safety stock, reorder points and supply planning, ensuring production and project requirements are met while optimising stock turns and working capital.
• Lead international logistics and the movement of goods, managing freight partners, shipments, customs, duties and import/export requirements while maintaining visibility of goods in transit and proactively managing delays or supply risks.
• Lead, develop and grow the supply chain function, driving continuous improvement across processes, systems and ways of working to improve efficiency, reduce costs and strengthen operational performance.
• Work closely with the senior leadership team, providing supply chain insight, reporting on key performance metrics, risks and improvement initiatives, and contributing to the wider business strategy and future growth.

About You

• Significant experience in a senior Supply Chain, Procurement or Logistics leadership role, ideally within a manufacturing, engineering or project-based environment.
• Experience within the building products or a similar manufacturing sector.
• Proven experience in supplier selection, negotiation, relationship and performance management, including supplier quality.
• Strong knowledge of purchasing, inventory and stock management, alongside international freight, logistics and import/export processes.
• CIPS qualification, or equivalent.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001 or similar quality management systems.
• Commercially astute, with the ability to balance cost, quality, service and supply risk, while driving improvements across supply chain processes and systems.
• A hands-on yet strategic leader with strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to influence and operate effectively at senior level.