Supply Chain Manager

Location: Chelmsford (Multi-site role with occasional travel)
Salary: Competitive + Benefits
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Procurement Manager to join a leading manufacturing organisation. This strategic role will be responsible for driving procurement excellence across multiple UK sites, ensuring cost-effective purchasing, supplier performance, risk management, and supply continuity.

The successful candidate will lead procurement activities, build strong supplier partnerships, and collaborate with key stakeholders to support operational and commercial objectives.

• Develop and implement procurement strategies aligned with business goals, delivering value, quality, and cost efficiencies.
• Lead and develop procurement teams across multiple UK locations.
• Manage the full supplier lifecycle, including supplier sourcing, evaluation, selection, performance management, and relationship development.
• Negotiate contracts and commercial agreements to achieve favourable terms while maintaining compliance with legal and ethical standards.
• Analyse market trends, supplier performance, and industry developments to identify cost-saving opportunities and mitigate supply chain risks.
• Partner with internal stakeholders across operations, engineering, finance, and other functions to understand business requirements and support demand planning.
• Establish and maintain procurement policies, processes, and controls to ensure efficiency, transparency, and compliance.
• Conduct supplier audits and assessments to ensure quality, sustainability, and regulatory standards are met.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across procurement and supply chain operations.
• Produce regular reports and insights on procurement performance, supplier metrics, savings initiatives, and key risks for senior leadership.
• Manage procurement budgets and monitor expenditure against targets.
• Maintain accurate procurement records and documentation in accordance with company procedures.
• Identify and proactively manage supply continuity risks, including capacity constraints, sole-source dependencies, logistics challenges, and material shortages.
• Develop and implement mitigation strategies, including dual sourcing, alternative suppliers, inventory planning, and supplier allocation negotiations.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• A degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• CIPS qualification (preferred).
• A minimum of 5 years'' experience in procurement or supply chain management, ideally within a manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience leading procurement teams and managing supplier relationships.
• Strong negotiation and contract management skills.
• Excellent analytical, commercial, and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience using ERP and procurement systems such as SAP, Oracle, or similar platforms.
• Knowledge of procurement best practice, supplier management, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels of an organisation.
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a fast-paced environment.

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunity to lead strategic procurement initiatives within a growing manufacturing business.
• A collaborative and supportive working environment.
• Career development and progression opportunities.
• Exposure to multi-site operations and strategic supplier management.

• Occasional travel to UK business sites will be required.
• Occasional travel to supplier locations may be required.

Adecco acts as an Employment Agency for permanent recruitment and an Employment Business for the supply of temporary workers. The Adecco Group UK & Ireland is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

Adecco acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and an employment business for the supply of temporary workers. The Adecco Group UK & Ireland is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

By applying for this role your details will be submitted to Adecco. Our Candidate Privacy Information Statement explaining how we will use your information is available on our website.