Supply Chain Director in Sittingbourne

The Supply Chain Director owns Knauf UK & Ireland's end-to-end supply chain, from designing robust, sustainable strategies to leading their execution, ensuring the business exceeds its commercial objectives. Partnering closely with stakeholders across the organisation, the role leads the people, processes, and systems that secure uninterrupted availability of raw materials and direct and indirect services, so products and systems are manufactured and imported to anticipate and surpass customer demand.

About Knauf UK & Ireland: We are one of the leading manufacturers of gypsum‑based building materials in the UK. We are proud to be a part of the Knauf Group, one of the largest independent building materials manufacturers in the world. We sell plasterboard, plaster, metal sections, flooring, external renders, insulating laminates, drywall accessories and more and have more than 320 plants and sales organisations in over 90 countries. We employ over 43,500 people worldwide. Founded in 1932.

Responsibilities:

• Champion Health & Safety: comply with Knauf policies and UK HSE regulations, maintaining ISO, quality, and security standards across all sites.
• Design and deliver sustainable, end‑to‑end supply chain strategies covering procurement, inventory, demand planning/forecasting, manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, dispatch, and delivery.
• Ensure uninterrupted raw material supply for both UK facilities to consistently exceed production KPIs.
• Strengthen and leverage global supplier partnerships to minimise import/export risk and disruption.
• Use data and insights to make decisive, time‑critical choices; track and communicate performance to the Senior Leadership Team to enhance cross‑functional outcomes.
• Apply strong commercial and financial discipline to meet budgets and outperform revenue KPIs.
• Monitor external economic developments and activate contingency plans as required.
• Continuously review processes and systems, leading measurable improvements and positive change.
• Build a high‑performance culture by instilling accountability and equipping colleagues with the tools and methods to excel.
• Partner effectively with Finance, IT, Service, Commercial, and Manufacturing; foster strong relationships at all levels.
• Collaborate with HR to identify development needs, deliver training, and manage performance and progression.

Qualifications:

• Demonstrate a strong understanding of company policies, strategic vision, and values.
• Hold a bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, or a related field, as well as a Chartered MCIPS qualification.
• Successfully designed and delivered supply chain strategy in a fast‑paced manufacturing or production environment.
• Experience strengthening and leveraging global supplier partnerships to minimise import/export risk and disruption.
• Proven experience designing and delivering supply chain strategy in a fast‑paced manufacturing/production environment.
• Comprehensive knowledge of MRP/ERP systems, ideally SAP, with hands‑on application.
• Strong understanding of the building materials industry and construction value chains.
• Advanced commercial, financial, and budgeting acumen.
• Demonstrable track record of delivering continuous improvement projects across the supply chain.
• Expert knowledge of safety and standards (including BSI), with auditing and compliance experience.
• Proven ability to lead, develop, and coach high‑performing supply chain teams.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and organisational skills; sound, data‑driven decision‑making.
• Clear, concise verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong quantitative capability, including planning, forecasting, and organisational skills.
• Effective leadership and people management skills, including the ability to motivate teams, delegate effectively, and articulate complex ideas clearly.

Benefits:

• A competitive salary + package.
• Three paid days leave for community, charitable, or voluntary commitments.
• 12% employer pension contribution.
• Private Healthcare.
• Income Protection.
• Access to a Reward & Benefits platform.
• Access to Employee Assistance Program (legal or medical advice).
• Life Assurance (x 4 times your basic salary).
• Cycle to Work Scheme and Tech Scheme.
• Competitive annual leave entitlement.
• Birthday as Paid Leave.
• Level 3 Westfield Cashplan Healthcare.
• A counsellor and life coach offered to all our employees free of charge.