At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and optimise the supply chain for a growing manufacturing business.
- Company: Established manufacturing company entering an exciting phase of expansion.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, and the chance to shape strategy.
- Other info: Opportunity to build high-performing teams and implement scalable processes.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact on a pivotal growth stage and drive sustainable sourcing.
- Qualifications: Proven supply chain leadership experience and strong negotiation skills.
Location: Somerset
Salary: £55,000 - £65,000 + Bonus
Job Type: Permanent
An established and growing manufacturing business is seeking an experienced Head of Supply Chain to lead its end-to-end procurement, planning and logistics function. This is a pivotal leadership role within a values-led organisation that has experienced significant growth and is now entering an exciting phase of expansion into new markets.
The successful candidate will play a key role in preparing the business for its next stage of growth by developing a scalable, resilient supply chain capable of supporting future expansion. You'll shape procurement strategy, implement best-in-class processes and build the operational foundations required to support ambitious growth, while driving the sustainable sourcing of renewable and environmentally responsible raw materials.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, develop and mentor a small team across procurement and warehouse operations.
- Take ownership of the end-to-end supply chain, ensuring continuity of supply across a diverse product portfolio.
- Develop and implement procurement strategies that balance cost, quality, risk and sustainability.
- Identify, evaluate and negotiate with suppliers to secure the best commercial and operational outcomes.
- Build strong supplier relationships while driving performance, quality and continuous improvement.
- Source renewable and sustainable raw materials, ensuring suppliers align with environmental and ethical sourcing objectives.
- Monitor market trends, commodity pricing and supply chain risks to support informed purchasing decisions.
- Optimise inventory levels, warehouse operations and logistics to maximise efficiency and customer service.
- Utilise ERP systems and data analytics to improve forecasting, reporting and decision-making.
- Work closely with cross-functional teams including Operations, Production and Finance to support business growth and operational performance.
- Develop strategic supplier partnerships that support innovation, sustainability and long term business growth.
- Design and implement scalable supply chain processes, systems and governance to support significant business growth and expansion into new markets.
- Develop supplier risk management strategies to ensure supply chain resilience, continuity and business continuity planning.
- Lead demand planning, inventory strategy and Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) to ensure supply aligns with business growth and customer demand.
- Review and continuously improve procurement, planning and logistics processes to increase efficiency, resilience and operational performance.
- Manage procurement budgets and deliver measurable cost savings without compromising quality, service or sustainability.
- Establish and monitor supply chain KPIs, using data to drive continuous improvement and informed decision-making.
- Lead business change initiatives across the supply chain, embedding new processes, systems and ways of working to support organisational growth.
About You
You're an experienced supply chain leader with a proven track record of building high-performing teams, developing strategic supplier partnerships and implementing scalable processes within a manufacturing environment. Equally comfortable setting strategy and leading day-to-day operations, you thrive in fast-paced businesses undergoing growth and transformation.
You’ll ideally have:
- Significant experience leading procurement and supply chain operations within a manufacturing environment.
- Previous experience managing and developing procurement and warehouse teams.
- Strong commercial acumen with a proven track record of supplier negotiation and delivering measurable cost savings.
- Experience developing procurement strategies that improve resilience, efficiency and sustainability.
- Excellent ERP system knowledge and strong analytical skills.
- A proactive approach with the ability to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Proven experience supporting a business through significant growth, transformation or operational scaling.
- Experience implementing supply chain processes, systems and controls that enable sustainable business expansion.
- Comfortable balancing strategic planning with operational delivery in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrable experience sourcing sustainable, renewable or responsibly sourced raw materials, with a strong understanding of ethical supply chains and supplier due diligence.
- Demonstrated ability to lead change, influence stakeholders and build high-performing teams through periods of growth.
Desirable
- Degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business or a related discipline.
- CIPS Level 4 or above, APICS CSCP, or equivalent professional qualification.
- Experience working within manufacturing, engineered products or related industries.
- Knowledge of ESG principles, ethical sourcing and sustainable procurement practices.
The Opportunity
This is a rare opportunity to join a business at a pivotal stage of its growth. As Head of Supply Chain, you'll have the autonomy to shape strategy, implement scalable processes and build a supply chain capable of supporting significant expansion into new markets. Working closely with senior leadership, you'll play a key role in driving operational excellence, sustainable sourcing and long-term commercial success.
If you're an experienced supply chain leader who enjoys creating structure, leading change and building high-performing teams, this role offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact and help shape the future of a growing manufacturing business.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Supply Chain
✨Join Supply Chain Meetups
Get yourself out there by attending supply chain meetups and industry events. It's a great way to meet fellow professionals, learn about trends, and maybe even hear about job openings before they’re posted online.
✨Show Off Your Skills on LinkedIn
Don’t just sit back and wait for opportunities! Post insights or articles on LinkedIn about supply chain challenges or solutions you’re passionate about. This not only showcases your expertise but can catch the eye of recruiters looking for someone like you.
✨Engage with Supply Chain Communities
Dive into online communities related to supply chain operations like forums or groups on Reddit and LinkedIn. Engaging in discussions can help you network, get advice, and you might even stumble upon some hidden job opportunities.
✨Apply through Our Website
When you spot a position at Cooper Golding, make sure to apply through our website directly. It's often the quickest way to get your application in front of the right people and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role of Head of Supply Chain.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Supply Chain
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Supply Chain Savvy:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in supply chain operations. Whether it’s managing logistics or coordinating with suppliers, we want to see examples of how you've navigated the complexities of the supply chain. Concrete achievements, like reducing costs or improving delivery times, will definitely catch our eye!
Quantify Your Impact:When listing your previous roles on your CV, go for numbers! Mention percentages or actual figures where possible—like how much you've improved efficiency or reduced waste. It's all about showing us the tangible impact you've made in your past positions in supply chain operations.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:In your cover letter, don’t just regurgitate your CV. Instead, connect your experiences specifically to the role at Cooper Golding. Share why you're passionate about supply chain operations and how this full-time role aligns with your career goals—I mean, who wouldn’t want to hear that!
Research and Reflect:Before you apply, take some time to research Cooper Golding and its supply chain operations. Reflect on how your skills and experiences can fit into their operations. Being able to discuss their challenges and how you can contribute to solving them in your application will really make you stand out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cooper Golding
✨Know Your Basics in Supply Chain Management
Make sure you've got a solid grasp of key supply chain concepts like demand forecasting, inventory management, and logistics. We could be quizzed on these during technical rounds, so brush up on any software tools commonly used in the industry like SAP or Oracle. This knowledge will help us show we can hit the ground running!
✨Show Off Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss real-world scenarios where you've used data analysis to solve supply chain challenges. If you've got experience with tools like Excel or Tableau, get ready to talk about how you've used these to optimise processes or improve efficiencies. Employers love seeing that we can turn data into actionable insights!
✨Highlight Your Teamwork and Project Management Skills
In a full-time role, collaboration is key. Think of examples where you've worked on cross-functional teams or managed projects. Sharing how you navigated challenges while working with diverse groups will show that we can thrive in a dynamic environment like at Cooper Golding.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by Cooper Golding
Look into any unique supply chain challenges Cooper Golding might be facing, whether it's sustainability, supplier relationships, or global disruptions. Being prepared to discuss these topics shows that we're not only informed but also genuinely interested in how we can contribute to their success. That’s a big plus in any interview!
