Supply Chain Manager

About First Mile

First Mile is the UK's premier recycling company, serving over 30,000 customers including Pret a Manger, Zara, and Netflix. We are a rapidly growing, multi-award-winning business making a real impact in the environmental space. Our Supply Chain Department is industry-leading, growing at 20% year-on-year, and plays an essential role in delivering exceptional service and high recycling rates to our customers.

The Role

We are seeking a talented and results-driven Supply Chain Manager to lead our Supply Chain function. This is a senior role with full responsibility for a team of 12, managing the performance of all sub-contracted services across our supplier network. The Supply Chain Manager will be instrumental in shaping the strategic direction of the Supply Chain department and ensuring it meets the evolving needs of our growing customer base. You will be responsible for meeting goals across four key pillars: service levels, recycling performance, commercial outcomes, and compliance.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Team Management
  • Lead, develop and performance-manage a team of 12 supply chain and operations professionals, setting goals and targets that support business objectives, supporting their development, and a collaborative culture.
  • Build a high-performing, motivated team culture with clear accountability and career development pathways.
  • Conduct regular 1:1s, team reviews, and performance appraisals to drive continuous improvement.
• Supplier & Contract Management
  • Take overall responsibility for managing the performance of all sub-contracted services, ensuring service levels and margin are delivered in line with agreed KPIs.
  • Personally build and maintain relationships with top and strategic suppliers, meeting regularly and assessing performance through data-driven KPI frameworks.
  • Lead consolidation and rationalisation of the existing supply chain where there is a service, environmental, or commercial case to do so.
  • Identify and onboard new supplier partners that enhance service to customers, broaden recycling availability, and improve commercial performance.
  • Negotiate competitive pricing, contracts, SLAs, and supply agreements that deliver margin improvement and support growth.
• Operations & Process Improvement
  • Optimise and improve processes to drive efficiency, automation, and improved customer experience while reducing cost to operate.
  • Actively collaborate with the tech team to design and enhance technology tools such as the Supplier App to enable better service delivery and operational efficiency.
• Compliance & Standards
  • Ensure 100% compliance with First Mile's safety, quality, and environmental standards across the entire supplier base.
  • Manage all supplier documentation to ensure records are complete, current, and audit-ready.
• Reporting & Strategy
  • Report to the Senior Management Team and Board on the performance of the Supply Chain function, providing clear metrics and KPI analysis.
  • Produce monthly reports and track progress against targets for the division.
  • Contribute to the strategic direction of the Supply Chain department, anticipating the changing needs of customers as the business scales.
• Commercial Support
  • Support new business and account management teams in developing competitive and sustainable commercial proposals for new sub-contracted service lines.
  • Understand the industry landscape, key players, and recycling services; attend industry events and build a strong professional network.

Requirements

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience in a Supply Chain, Sub-Contract, or Operations management role, ideally in a fast-paced or growth environment.
• Demonstrated people management experience, with the ability to lead and develop teams effectively.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience negotiating contracts, pricing, and supplier agreements.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret KPI data and make informed decisions.
• A proactive, self-motivated approach with a track record of driving process improvement.
• Passion for sustainability, the environment, and making a meaningful difference.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, both internally and with external partners.

Benefits

At First Mile, we believe in rewarding our people. Here's what you can expect:

• Enhanced maternity/paternity scheme.
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, with an extra day for each complete year of service.
• £60 per month personal wellbeing allowance — spend it however you like (gym, travel, food, or more!).
• Regular company parties, socials, and events throughout the year.
• Employee recognition at our monthly town hall.
• Lots of drinks, food, and a genuinely fun, collaborative workplace.
• The opportunity to work for a rapidly growing, multi-award-winning business in a sector that has never been more important.