At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead supply chain operations and optimise efficiency for profit growth.
- Company: Join A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd, a leading UK family-owned business.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive workplace, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Exciting career growth in a supportive and innovative company.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment with a global brand.
- Qualifications: Degree-level education or equivalent experience in supply chain management.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
At A F Blakemore & Son Ltd, we are looking for an ambitious Supply Chain Manager to take charge of our end-to-end operations and turn performance into profit. This is your opportunity to optimise efficiency, cut costs, and unlock new income streams across primary transport, backhaul, pallet storage, tray rental, and network centralisation.
Working at the heart of the business, you will partner with commercial and logistics teams to build smarter, more sustainable routes to market, while leading a team that keeps everything moving. If you are driven by results, thrive on opportunity, and want to make a visible impact across the entire AFB Group, this role is for you.
Key Responsibilities- Supply chain strategy and leadership
- Income generation and cost reduction
- Financial management
- Systems, data insight and transformation
- People leadership
- Compliance and governance
- Corporate social responsibility and sustainability
- Negotiation skills
- Ability to analyse and interpret large data sets to inform decision making
- Operational understanding of the AFB business end to end
- Strategic thinking and commercial awareness
- Change leadership and delivery focus
- Collaboration and cross-functional working
- Problem-solving and sound judgement
- Personal drive, integrity, and accountability
- Degree-level education or equivalent professional experience
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and translate insight into action
- Excellent organisational and problem-solving capabilities
- Experience and proven track record in supplier negotiations and collaboration
- Strong project and programme management capability
- Experience delivering cost and service improvements in complex operational environments
- Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills
- Strong analytical capability with the ability to translate insight into action
- Postgraduate or professional qualification in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, or Project Management (e.g. CIPS, ILM, Masters)
- SPAR UK / SPAR International Understanding
- Proven experience in change management, or continuous improvement within supply chain
- Experience working in food retail, wholesale, or FMCG supply chains
At A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd, we are proud of our heritage, but even more excited about our future. What started in Wolverhampton in 1917 as a small, family-run grocery store has grown into one of the UK's largest privately owned businesses, employing over 5,000 people and generating a turnover of £1.2 billion. We combine the strength of a global brand, while maintaining the values of a family business. We are constantly evolving, always looking for new and better ways to serve our customers and support our colleagues, making this an exciting place to build your career.
Today, we operate at the heart of communities across the UK, with 243 SPAR convenience stores and a thriving business spanning retail, food service, and wholesale distribution. Food and drink remain at the core of everything we do, driving our passion for quality, innovation, and exceptional customer experiences.
SPAR is the world's largest international food retail chain, encompassing more than 13,800 stores in 48 countries. With more than 2,600 stores and a turnover in excess of £3 billion, SPAR is also the UK's leading convenience store group. Being a symbol group means that individual SPAR members retain their independence but enjoy the many benefits of being a part of a global brand.
As a Disability Confident Committed employer, we are dedicated to creating a fair, inclusive workplace for all. We offer a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the role.
Supply Chain Manager in Willenhall employer: AF Blakemore
Contact Detail:
AF Blakemore Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Supply Chain Manager in Willenhall
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the supply chain industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your analytical abilities and problem-solving skills. Share specific examples of how you've optimised processes or saved costs in previous roles. This will help you stand out as a candidate who can deliver results.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere—apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd. Tailor your application to show how your experience aligns with our values and goals. It’ll make a big difference!
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by researching our company culture and recent projects. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to our mission of optimising efficiency and driving sustainability. Showing that you understand our business will impress the hiring team and demonstrate your commitment.
We think you need these skills to ace Supply Chain Manager in Willenhall
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Supply Chain Manager role. Highlight your experience in supply chain strategy, cost reduction, and team leadership. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about supply chain management and how you can make a difference at A.F. Blakemore. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to our goals.
Show Off Your Analytical Skills: Since we value strong analytical capabilities, include examples of how you've used data to drive decisions in your previous roles. We love seeing candidates who can turn insights into action!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at AF Blakemore
✨Know Your Supply Chain Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the end-to-end supply chain processes relevant to A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd. Brush up on their operations, especially in areas like transport, pallet storage, and network centralisation. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your strategic thinking and operational understanding during the discussion.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in past roles. Bring examples of how you've interpreted large data sets to inform supply chain strategies or cost reductions. This will highlight your strong analytical capability and ability to translate insight into action, which is crucial for the role.
✨Demonstrate Leadership and Collaboration
Be ready to share specific instances where you've led teams or collaborated across functions to achieve results. Highlight your experience in change management and how you've successfully navigated complex operational environments. This will show that you possess the people leadership skills and collaborative mindset that A.F. Blakemore values.
✨Prepare for Negotiation Scenarios
Since supplier negotiations are key to this role, think of examples where you've successfully negotiated terms or improved supplier relationships. Be prepared to discuss your approach to negotiation and how it has led to cost savings or enhanced service levels. This will demonstrate your commercial awareness and problem-solving capabilities.