Supply Chain Manager in Sunderland

Description Summary

The Supply Chain Manager leads the end-to-end supply chain function at Clearly Drinks, providing strategic and operational leadership across planning, procurement, warehousing, inventory and outsourced logistics.

Leading through the Planning Manager, Senior Buyer and Warehouse Team Leader, the role is accountable for ensuring customer demand, production requirements, material supply and physical distribution are effectively aligned to deliver excellent customer service and operational performance.

Whilst the role is focused on developing capability, driving performance and implementing long-term improvements, the Supply Chain Manager is expected to maintain a strong operational presence within the business, proactively supporting issue resolution, managing supply chain risks and responding to changing business priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

The role also acts as the business owner for Clearly Drinks' third-party logistics partner, ensuring outsourced warehousing, shunting and transport activities deliver the required standards of service, stock integrity, cost control and operational resilience.

Responsibilities

Leadership & Performance

• Lead and develop the Supply Chain function through the Planning Manager, Senior Buyer and Warehouse Team Leader.
• Establish clear objectives, accountability and performance measures across Planning, Procurement, Warehousing and Logistics.
• Maintain a strong operational presence, supporting teams in resolving day-to-day challenges whilst driving long-term improvements.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration and accountability.

Planning & Inventory

• Provide leadership and governance of demand planning, production planning and material supply activities.
• Chair the S&OP process to ensure alignment between customer demand, operational capability and supply chain capacity.
• Ensure inventory levels are optimised to balance customer service, operational resilience and working capital performance.

Procurement & Supplier Management

• Lead procurement strategy through the Senior Buyer, ensuring effective supplier management, cost control and continuity of supply.
• Support key supplier negotiations and oversee strategic supplier relationships to deliver value, service and risk mitigation.

Logistics & Distribution

• Act as the senior business owner for Clearly Drinks' third-party logistics provider, ensuring outsourced warehousing, shunting and transport activities deliver required service, cost and stock integrity standards.
• Monitor and improve logistics performance through effective KPI management, governance and partnership working.

Operational Excellence

• Proactively identify and manage supply chain risks, constraints and service issues, leading resolution where necessary.
• Drive improvements across planning, procurement, warehousing, inventory management and logistics.
• Support the development of systems, processes and reporting to improve supply chain performance and decision making.

Compliance & Business Partnership

• Ensure compliance with Health & Safety, Quality, Food Safety, Environmental and BRC standards across all areas of responsibility.
• Work collaboratively with Commercial, Production, Finance, Technical and NPD teams to support business objectives and customer requirements.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Proven leadership experience within an FMCG supply chain environment.
• Strong operational capability across planning, procurement, warehousing, logistics and 3PL management.
• Strong analytical skills applied across forecasting, inventory, procurement and logistics performance.
• ERP/MRP expertise with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience negotiating and managing suppliers.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams in fast-moving environments.
• Project delivery and improvement experience.
• Degree in Logistics, Business or related field - preferred but not essential, qualified by experience is equally desirable.

Values

• Open and authentic in their interactions ensuring they match actions and words, building trust and support with others - Making it Happen
• Works collaboratively with immediate and extended teams, building common agendas, aligned objectives and delivery plans - Stronger Together
• Demonstrates clear ownership, ambition and pride in the business and the local team’s performance - Be the Best
• Creates a clear, stretching future vision for the site and motivates employees to contribute their best to its achievement - Customer First
• Is keen to make a difference through increasing awareness of environmental impacts and performance both locally and the environment as a whole – Socially Responsible

General

• To take responsibility for the health, safety, and welfare of yourself. Actively follow the Company’s Health and Safety Policy, procedures, and safe systems of work
• Actively follow the Company’s Environmental Policy and procedures and play your part in the achievement of environmental initiatives
• Be responsible for your quality of work and ensure that any quality checks required are carried out.Seek support as necessary
• To observe and continually promote equal opportunities and diversity
• To undertake all reasonable training activity designed to support you in your role
• To gain an understanding of the company’s products
• To note, understand and comply with the Company policies and procedures. These documents will be available on People HR and available to sign independently.
• To undertake any such other reasonable duties within your skillset as may from time to time be required by your manager