Operational Head of Supply Chain – Aerospace & Defence Technology | Essex / Suffolk (Hybrid)

Are you an experienced Supply Chain professional who thrives in fast-paced, high-growth manufacturing environments? Do you enjoy solving operational challenges, leading teams, and taking ownership across the full supply chain rather than operating in a purely strategic or corporate role?

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a high-growth, entrepreneurial defence technology manufacturing business operating within a highly technical and mission-critical environment. Following significant commercial success and strong market momentum, the organisation has doubled in headcount in recent years, secured major programme wins, and is planning to scale significantly again creating a genuine opportunity to grow with the business and play a key role in its next phase of expansion.

This is a hands-on, operationally focused supply chain leadership role where pace, energy, and problem-solving capability matter. You’ll take ownership of an established function operating at high intensity, ensuring materials, planning, suppliers, and operations remain fully aligned to support a demanding manufacturing environment.

You’ll take end-to-end ownership of the Supply Chain function, leading a team of circa 12 across Procurement, Customer Services, Operational Planning, and Supply Chain activity, whilst working closely with senior leadership to support business growth, operational performance, and customer delivery. This role offers strong visibility across the organisation and the opportunity to genuinely shape how a growing manufacturing operation scales.

• Leading end-to-end Supply Chain Operations across a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Managing teams across Procurement, Operational Planning, Customer Services, and Supply Chain operations.
• Supporting S&OP, production planning, inventory management, warehousing, and supplier performance.
• Driving operational supply chain performance to ensure manufacturing output remains on track.
• Managing supply chain transactions, supplier engagement, and export-related processes.
• Solving day-to-day supply chain challenges within a highly operational, high-growth environment.
• Supporting supplier relationships and occasional supplier engagement across the UK and internationally.

• Strong experience within Manufacturing, Engineering, Defence, Aerospace, Aviation, Electronics, or other highly operational technical environments.
• Proven background in operational Supply Chain leadership rather than purely strategic procurement.
• Experience across production planning, S&OP, warehousing, supplier management, and manufacturing operations.
• Experience within electronics manufacturing, SMT (Surface Mount Technology), PCB, or component-driven manufacturing environments would be highly desirable.
• Defence or highly regulated manufacturing experience strongly preferred.
• A high-energy, hands-on mindset with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, problem-solving environment.

• Join a high-growth business with strong market momentum & ambitious expansion plans.
• Opportunity to play a genuinely influential role in a business scaling rapidly.
• Broad end-to-end ownership across Supply Chain, Planning, Procurement, and Operations.
• Collaborative, entrepreneurial, and non-political culture where ideas are listened to.
• Strong exposure to senior leadership and the opportunity to grow with the organisation long term.

If you’re looking for a role where you can combine operational supply chain leadership, manufacturing expertise, and hands-on problem solving within a fast-moving, growing business then this could be the move you’ve been waiting for.