At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead purchasing and supply chain activities to enhance operational performance and reduce costs.
- Company: Dynamic organisation focused on evolving supply chain capabilities.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, strategic role, and opportunities for process improvement.
- Other info: Join a collaborative environment with diverse stakeholder engagement.
- Why this job: Make a genuine impact while shaping processes and influencing business performance.
- Qualifications: Experience in supply chain planning, purchasing, and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 49500 - 60500 £ per year.
Your new company has an exciting opportunity for an Interim Supply & Purchasing & Supply Chain Manager to join a growing and evolving supply chain function. This is a key interim role focused on connecting demand planning, forecasting, purchasing and inventory management to improve operational performance, reduce unnecessary costs and strengthen supply chain resilience. Working across multiple business functions, you will play a pivotal role in establishing best practice, driving governance and delivering greater visibility across purchasing and supply operations. Initially for a 3-6 month period with hybrid working available, based 3 days per week out of their Birmingham office.
Your new role as Interim Purchasing & Supply Chain Manager involves leading purchasing activities, demand planning and forecasting ensuring customer demand, inventory availability and supply capability are effectively aligned.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Leading cross-functional demand planning and forecasting processes
- Developing supply plans that balance customer requirements, inventory levels, lead times and supply risks
- Managing purchasing governance, controls and approval processes
- Driving purchasing efficiencies through improved processes and standardisation
- Supporting inventory optimisation and stock redeployment initiatives
- Providing supply chain insights, risk analysis and performance reporting to support decision-making
- Leading purchasing and planning teams through change and continuous improvement initiatives
This is a highly visible role offering the opportunity to shape processes, influence strategy and enhance operational effectiveness across the wider business.
To be successful, you will bring:
- Significant experience within supply chain planning, purchasing, procurement operations or materials management
- Expertise in demand planning, forecasting and supply planning
- Experience implementing or managing purchasing controls and governance processes
- Strong commercial and financial awareness, including cost reduction and working capital management
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with confidence using data to drive decisions
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence and challenge constructively
- Experience of ERP, inventory or purchasing systems would be advantageous
We're looking for a proactive and results-driven leader who can build collaborative relationships, improve ways of working and deliver measurable business outcomes.
What you'll get in return:
- A strategic role with significant visibility across the business
- The opportunity to lead process improvements and operational transformation
- Diverse stakeholder engagement across commercial, operational and finance functions
- The chance to influence business performance through effective supply chain and purchasing leadership
If you're an experienced Supply Chain Manager, Purchasing Manager, Procurement Manager or Demand Planning professional looking for your next challenge, we'd love to hear from you.
Purchasing and Supply Chain Manager in Birmingham employer: Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Careers
Hays Education is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for SEN SLD/PMLD teachers in the Hounslow/Hillingdon area. With access to exclusive vacancies, ongoing professional development, and a dedicated consultant to guide your career, you will find ample opportunities for growth while making a meaningful impact on the lives of pupils with special educational needs. Join us to be part of a community that values inclusivity and fosters both personal and professional development.
Contact Details:
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Careers Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Purchasing and Supply Chain Manager in Birmingham
✨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 Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Careers, 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 Purchasing and Supply Chain Manager.
We think you need these skills to ace Purchasing and Supply Chain Manager in Birmingham
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 Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Careers. 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 Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Careers 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 Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Careers
✨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 Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Careers.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Careers
Look into any unique supply chain challenges Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Careers 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!
