Supply Chain Manager in Dover

Supply Chain Manager – Global Sourcing & Procurement
Location: Ashford, Kent (Hybrid – 1 day WFH) Salary: £45,000 per annum Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Diamond Search Recruitment is recruiting on behalf of our client for an experienced Supply Chain Manager to join their growing manufacturing business in Ashford, Kent.
Are you a commercially minded procurement professional with a passion for global sourcing, supplier development and securing the best possible deals?
This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of sourcing and supplier relationships within a growing manufacturing business.
Working closely with the Head of Supply Chain, you will play a key role in identifying new international suppliers, negotiating competitive pricing, developing supplier relationships and ensuring materials are sourced efficiently to support both large-scale manufacturing and new product development.
This is a hands-on position offering genuine autonomy, responsibility and the opportunity to make a measurable commercial impact.
The Role
You will take ownership of sourcing ingredients, excipients and packaging materials, ensuring the business has access to a competitive, reliable and diverse global supplier network.
Your responsibilities will include:
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Identifying, researching and developing new international suppliers.
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Managing the end-to-end supplier sourcing and onboarding process.
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Negotiating pricing, contracts, minimum order quantities and commercial terms.
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Sourcing ingredients and packaging materials for large-scale manufacturing requirements.
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Regularly benchmarking supplier pricing and identifying cost-saving opportunities.
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Building and maintaining strong relationships with suppliers worldwide.
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Securing competitive low-volume and sample quantities to support new product development.
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Working closely with production planning to ensure materials are available when required.
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Managing supplier documentation, specifications, certificates of analysis and compliance requirements.
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Monitoring supplier performance, including cost, quality, reliability and lead times.
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Maintaining accurate sourcing, supplier and pricing records.
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Identifying opportunities to improve procurement processes, supplier management and digital systems.
About You
We are looking for a proactive and commercially astute procurement professional who enjoys finding new suppliers, negotiating better deals and building long-term international relationships.
You will be comfortable working independently, managing multiple sourcing projects and taking ownership of improving existing processes.
To be considered, you will have:
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Proven experience in purchasing, procurement or supply chain management.
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Demonstrable experience in global sourcing and identifying, assessing and onboarding international suppliers.
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A strong track record of commercial negotiation and cost reduction.
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Experience sourcing materials for manufacturing environments.
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The ability to manage multiple suppliers, quotations and purchasing requirements simultaneously.
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Strong supplier relationship management and communication skills.
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Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
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Confidence working autonomously within a growing SME environment.
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Good IT skills and an interest in improving digital processes and systems.
Desirable experience:
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Background in ingredients.
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Experience in contract manufacturing.
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Knowledge of ingredients, excipients and packaging procurement.
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Experience negotiating low-volume, sample or product development purchasing arrangements.
What's on Offer?
£45,000 salary.
Permanent, full-time opportunity.
Hybrid working, with up to one day per week from home.
Monday to Friday working hours, 9:00am–5:00pm.
The opportunity to take real ownership of global sourcing and procurement.
Exposure to international suppliers and a growing global manufacturing operation.
The chance to influence and improve procurement processes and digital systems.
A varied, commercially focused role where your contribution will have a direct impact on business performance.
Interested?
If you are an experienced procurement or supply chain professional with a strong background in global sourcing, supplier development and commercial negotiation, we would love to hear from you.
To apply, please submit your CV to Diamond Search Recruitment.
We would particularly welcome applications that demonstrate your international sourcing experience, examples of suppliers you have successfully identified and onboarded, and measurable savings or improved commercial terms you have achieved.
Diamond Search Recruitment is managing this recruitment process exclusively on behalf of our client. All applications will be treated confidentially