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- Tasks: Manage supplier relationships and drive sourcing strategies in a dynamic defence engineering environment.
- Company: Join a growing defence engineering business focused on unmanned systems.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and the chance to work on innovative projects.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity to impact the future of aerospace and defence.
- Why this job: Play a key role in building a robust supply chain for cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in supply chain management and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Location: London, minimum 2 days onsite preferred
Type: Permanent
Sector: Defence / Aerospace / UAV
Overview
We are supporting a growing defence engineering business in the unmanned systems sector that is looking to strengthen its supply chain capability as part of a wider scale-up in product delivery and manufacturing readiness. They are seeking a Supply Chain Manager to manage supplier relationships, support sourcing strategy, and drive commercial engagement across a supplier base focused on components and metallic parts. This is a key role for someone who can combine supplier relationship management, commercial awareness, contracts understanding, and client-facing capability in a growing, delivery-driven business.
Role Purpose
The successful candidate will take ownership of supplier relationships and help build a more robust and scalable supply chain capable of supporting a growing engineering and manufacturing operation. The focus will be on ensuring suppliers can deliver the required quality, cost, and lead-time performance, while also supporting the business in commercial and contractual discussions.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage relationships with suppliers providing components, metallic parts, and other key manufacturing inputs
- Develop and maintain a supply chain capable of supporting growth in engineering and production activity
- Work with suppliers to improve delivery performance, responsiveness, quality, and cost
- Support commercial and contractual discussions with suppliers
- Contribute to sourcing strategy and supplier selection
- Act as a key interface between the business and external suppliers
- Work closely with engineering, manufacturing, and programme teams to ensure supplier capability aligns with delivery needs
- Identify supply chain risks and develop mitigation plans
- Help build a more structured supply chain model to support business growth and manufacturing scale-up
- Maintain strong client and stakeholder relationships where supply chain performance has a direct impact on programme delivery
What you will need
- Experience in supply chain, supplier management, procurement, or commercial roles within engineering, aerospace, defence, or manufacturing environments
- Strong experience managing supplier relationships for components and metallic parts
- Commercially aware, with understanding of contracts, supplier negotiations, and delivery risk
- Able to operate confidently with both suppliers and internal stakeholders
- Strong communication and relationship management skills
- Experience in a scaling or fast-paced engineering/manufacturing environment
- Good understanding of how supply chain performance affects programme delivery and client outcomes
Desirable
- Aerospace, defence, UAV, or advanced manufacturing background
- Experience in building or maturing a supply chain function
- Exposure to complex engineering products and lower-volume to scaling production environments
- Understanding of quality and compliance expectations in regulated sectors
Summary
This is an exciting opportunity for someone who can help build and manage the supplier ecosystem needed to support a growing unmanned systems business, with a particular focus on components, metallic parts, commercial control, and supplier relationship management.
Supply Chain Manager in London employer: Electus Recruitment Solutions
Contact Detail:
Electus Recruitment Solutions Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Supply Chain Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the defence and aerospace sectors. Attend industry events, join relevant LinkedIn groups, and don’t be shy to reach out to potential contacts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your skills! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or recruiters, make sure to highlight your experience in supplier management and commercial negotiations. Use specific examples from your past roles to demonstrate how you've improved supply chain performance.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its supply chain challenges. Understand their products and how your skills can help them scale up. This will show that you're genuinely interested and ready to contribute to their growth.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got some fantastic opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, it’s super easy to keep track of your applications this way!
We think you need these skills to ace Supply Chain Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Supply Chain Manager role. Highlight your experience in supplier management and any relevant projects you've worked on in engineering or manufacturing. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about supply chain management and how your background fits with our needs. Don't forget to mention your understanding of contracts and commercial discussions, as these are key for us.
Showcase Relevant Experience: When filling out your application, be sure to showcase your experience in managing supplier relationships, especially with components and metallic parts. We love seeing examples of how you've improved delivery performance or navigated complex negotiations.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you get all the updates. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Electus Recruitment Solutions
✨Know Your Supply Chain Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of supply chain management, especially in the defence and aerospace sectors. Familiarise yourself with key terms like 'lead-time performance' and 'supplier relationship management'. This will help you speak confidently about how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Savvy
Be prepared to discuss your understanding of contracts and supplier negotiations. Think of examples where you've successfully navigated commercial discussions or improved supplier performance. This will demonstrate your ability to drive commercial engagement effectively.
✨Highlight Your Relationship Management Skills
Since this role involves managing supplier relationships, come armed with stories that showcase your communication and relationship management skills. Discuss how you've built strong partnerships in the past and how you can apply those experiences to enhance their supply chain.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that ask how you'd handle specific supply chain challenges, such as mitigating risks or improving delivery performance. Think through potential scenarios and how you would approach them, showing your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking.