Director of Supply Chain in Manchester

We’re looking for a Director of Supply Chain to join our Supply Chain Team! N Brown are appointing a Director of Supply Chain at a pivotal moment in the company’s transformation. Our current operating environment is mature and structurally constrained, limiting the extent to which we can modernise processes, inventory flows, and fulfilment performance in the short term. At the same time, the business is preparing for a major mainframe transition commencing in FY26, which will unlock the ability to redesign core processes, data flows, and operating models across the supply chain. In parallel, the retail strategy is evolving to a more focused brand portfolio. This role is critical in ensuring that the supply chain is designed to support that evolution over time, reflecting changing volumes, ranges, and service propositions. This role is therefore about preparing the supply chain for the future state — while at the same time delivering meaningful improvements, efficiencies, and cost reductions within today’s constraints.

What will you do as a Director of Supply Chain at N Brown?

• Optimise current supply chain performance, improving service, flow, inventory, cost, and predictability within a legacy systems environment.
• Develop and lead a multi-year supply chain strategy that balances near-term optimisation with long-term transformation aligned to the FY26 mainframe transition.
• Design and deliver a future-state supply chain operating model that reflects a more focused retail portfolio and evolving volume and range requirements.
• Build readiness for the post-mainframe environment by defining future capability, process, and data requirements, and partnering closely with Retail, Technology, Finance, and Product teams.
• Lead the strategic review of fulfilment, warehouse, and returns operations to ensure resilience, scalability, and excellent customer outcomes.
• Develop and manage strategic supplier partnerships, leading commercial negotiations and performance governance.
• Improve customer experience through faster, more reliable, and more predictable delivery and simpler returns.
• Build and lead a high-performing supply chain team, embedding a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and operational discipline.

What skills and experience will you have?

• Senior supply chain leadership experience within high-volume online retail, fashion, or FMCG.
• Experience operating across multiple supply chain models, including outsourced, hybrid, in-house, and multi-node.
• Direct experience optimising supply chains constrained by legacy systems.
• Experience preparing for major system or platform transitions (ERP, WMS, or core systems).
• Strong commercial acumen and experience building business cases for change and investment.

• Familiarity with AI‑led forecasting, inventory optimisation, and automation.
• Experience in sustainability‑led supply chain strategy.
• Experience within regulated, listed, or multichannel environments.

• Strategic architect with the ability to design future‑state operating models while delivering strong near‑term results.
• Pragmatic operator who can navigate legacy systems and constraints to drive meaningful progress.
• Commercially astute, bringing a strong value‑creation mindset and investment‑led decision making.
• Highly collaborative and influential, able to engage and align stakeholders across functions.
• Resilient and adaptable, thriving in ambiguity and leading effectively through change and transformation.
• Customer‑centric and outcome‑driven, maintaining a clear line of sight from strategy to measurable impact.

What’s in it for you?

• 24 days holiday (+ 8 bank holidays)
• Annual bonus scheme
• Enhanced maternity and adoption leave
• Company pension with up to 8% N Brown contribution
• Mental Health support both internally and externally, including access to our wellbeing champions and counselling services
• A range of financial wellbeing support
• Stream – a financial wellbeing tool that helps you track your pay, access earnings early and manage your money with confidence
• Colleague discount across all N Brown brands
• Onsite café with subsidised rates and local restaurant discounts!
• Life Assurance and Private medical insurance
• Paid volunteer time – all our colleagues can take a full day paid to volunteer for a charity of their choice

N Brown – who we are and why work for us?

At N Brown, we’re committed to building a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive environment that values equality for all. Our vision is that by ‘championing inclusion, we’ll become the most loved and trusted fashion retailer’. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging are, therefore, at the heart of our culture. We’re a forward‑thinking digital retailer with a financial services proposition to be proud of. We’re customer‑obsessed, serving them through three core brands: JD Williams, Simply Be, and Jacamo. We’re experienced, with over 160 years of trading under our belt. We’re inclusive, as we believe in fashion without boundaries; and we’re sustainable, striving to make as little impact on the planet as possible. In May 2024 we were delighted to be named one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2024. We work hard to create a happy and inclusive culture for everyone and we’re so proud to have made this list - as voted for by our very own colleagues!

Ways of Working

This role will be primarily based at our Warehouse in Oldham, with travel to our Head Office in Manchester (Northern Quarter) as required. We also offer Hybrid working, with arrangements varying by role.

Our promise to you:

We’re an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Please know your application is being reviewed by a real human being, not AI. We value your interest in joining us and appreciate you taking the time to submit your application.

What happens when you apply to a role at N Brown?

As soon as we receive your application, we’ll send you an email to let you know. We always aim to come back to you as soon as possible with an update and we really appreciate you taking the time to apply for a role with us. Good luck!