Supply Chain Team Leader in Horsham

Working collaboratively with Suppliers, Operations, Engineering, Quality, Finance, & Programme Management, the Supply Chain Team Leader operates within a matrix environment, providing leadership & coordination across Integrated Portfolio Teams (IPTs). The Supply Chain Team Leader will be responsible for executing the supply chain strategy & delivering supplier performance to support business objectives & achieve key operational & financial KPIs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead & develop a team of Buyers to deliver the Supply Chain vision, strategy, policies, processes, & procedures, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Translate the Supply Chain strategy into clear, measurable SMART objectives, driving individual & team accountability for achieving functional & business KPIs.
• Deliver improvements in supplier performance across cost, quality, delivery, & working capital, supporting operational excellence & business growth.
• Build & maintain effective supplier & cross-functional relationships to ensure continuity of supply, resolve issues, & support programme delivery.
• Proactively identify, manage, & mitigate supply chain risks, escalating issues where appropriate & implementing effective recovery plans.
• Resolve day-to-day operational issues using a quality-focused, data-driven approach, communicating impacts, risks, & resolution plans to key stakeholders in a timely manner.
• Provide effective leadership, coaching, mentoring, & development to direct reports, fostering a high-performing, engaged team focused on continuous improvement & value creation.
• Manage individual & team performance through regular objective setting, performance reviews, feedback, & development planning, addressing performance issues where required.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance supply chain efficiency, resilience, compliance, & overall business performance.
• Ensure all procurement & supply chain activities are conducted in accordance with company policies, governance requirements, regulatory standards, & ethical sourcing practices.
• Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, & continuous improvement across the Supply Chain function & Integrated Portfolio Teams (IPTs).

KPIs:

• Annual cost savings achieved
• Supplier on-time delivery performance
• Supplier quality metrics
• Contract compliance
• Supply continuity & risk mitigation
• Supplier performance & continuous improvement
• Inventory optimization

Skills & Experience:

Essential Experience:

• Proven experience in a supply chain, procurement, or purchasing leadership role within a manufacturing or engineering environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading, coaching & developing high-performing teams.
• Strong understanding of supply chain management principles, including supplier performance management, strategic sourcing, inventory management & working capital optimisation.
• Experience of managing supplier relationships and driving improvements in quality, cost, delivery, and service.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence & collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams at all organisational levels.
• Experience of prioritising & managing competing demands, delivering results through KPIs & continuous improvement initiatives.
• Highly analytical, with a data-driven approach to problem-solving, decision-making, & performance improvement.
• A proactive, customer-focused approach with a commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Proficient in ERP systems & Microsoft Excel for procurement analysis, reporting, & supplier performance management.

Desirable:

• Professional certification such as CIPS or a relatable degree.
• Experience in manufacturing, defence, or industrial sectors.
• Experience with supplier risk management & sustainability initiatives.
• Experience of working within integrated project management teams.
• CIPS Level 4 or above.

Personal Attributes:

• Demonstrates our company values of Teamwork, Integrity, Excellence & Courage.
• A team player able to liaise & work collaboratively cross functionally.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal & written skills.
• Organized, with a high attention to detail.
• Proactive, able to plan, organise, execute, & monitor performance across the supply chain, driving for results.
• Resilient, agile, & adaptable to changing priorities. Able to operate under pressure, multitask & deliver to exacting timescales.

Work life balance:

• 37.5 hour working week
• Lunchtime finishes on a Friday
• Hybrid / flexible working arrangements
• 28 days annual leave
• Christmas closure
• Holiday purchasing scheme

Benefits:

• Group pension plan – matched contributions up to 5%
• Income protection scheme & Employee Assistance Programme
• Employee Assistance Programme gives you & your family access to 4 key services including remote GP service, second opinion, mental health pathway service & physiotherapy consultations
• Life assurance policy, including bereavement counselling & probate helpline
• Company shares incentive plan & save as you earn scheme
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Wellbeing initiatives, including access to wellbeing app & the addition of mental health support for all employees. Plus, regular activities across our sites to support & promote wellbeing
• Regular sports & social activities
• Gym membership discounts
• Reward platform (high street discounts, employee benefits, health, & wellbeing offerings).
• Recruitment referral bonus scheme
• Excellent learning & development opportunities
• Great working environment with free, onsite car parking across all our locations.

Security Clearance Requirements:

Due to the nature of our business, our staff need to be able to obtain UK Security Clearance as a mandated requirement. Therefore, if successful, you will need to provide proof of identity, employment history & right to work in the UK, along with proof of UK residency for at least five years.