At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead wine sourcing and ensure supply continuity for a heritage brand.
- Company: Join Buckfast Tonic Wine, a unique UK heritage drinks brand.
- Benefits: Influential role in a small team with a focus on quality and relationships.
- Other info: Be part of a close-knit leadership team in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact in a profitable business celebrating nearly 100 years.
- Qualifications: Senior experience in wine or spirits manufacturing and strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Buckfast Tonic Wine is one of the UK’s most distinctive heritage drinks brands. As the business approaches its 100‑year anniversary, J Chandler & Co (Buckfast) Ltd is appointing a Supply Management Director to play a pivotal role in securing its future. This appointment follows the planned retirement of a long‑serving supply leader after more than 30 years. The priority is continuity, stewardship and resilience — not disruption. This is not a traditional procurement or transformation role.
Success will be defined by safeguarding supply, protecting quality and provenance, and maintaining trusted long‑term supplier relationships.
Key focus areas
- End‑to‑end responsibility for wine sourcing and supply continuity
- Stewardship of long‑standing European wine producers (France & Spain)
- Ownership of supply planning from source through blending, bottling and distribution
- Relationship‑led commercial negotiation across wine, packaging and key inputs
- Oversight of regulated supply, bonded stock and excise requirements
About you
- Senior experience in wine, spirits or drinks manufacturing
- Deep understanding of quality‑critical raw materials and bulk liquid supply
- Calm, credible and collaborative, commercially astute without being adversarial
- Comfortable operating as part of a small, highly visible leadership team
Buckfast is a focused, profitable business producing c.£65m annually with a team of just 22 people. This role offers genuine influence, close‑knit leadership, and the opportunity to make a lasting contribution to a unique business and product.
Supply Management Director in London employer: Nigel Wright Group
Contact Detail:
Nigel Wright Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Supply Management Director in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts and attend events related to wine and spirits. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise in supply management during interviews. Be ready to discuss your experience with sourcing, quality control, and supplier relationships. We want to see how you can safeguard supply and maintain quality.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for scenario-based questions. Think about how you'd handle challenges in supply continuity or negotiations. This role is all about calm, credible decision-making, so show us you can think on your feet!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Supply Management Director in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Brand: When you're writing your application, let your love for Buckfast Tonic Wine shine through. We want to see that you understand the heritage and uniqueness of the brand, so share why it resonates with you!
Highlight Relevant Experience: Make sure to emphasise your senior experience in wine, spirits, or drinks manufacturing. We’re looking for someone who knows their stuff, so don’t hold back on showcasing your expertise in quality-critical raw materials and supply continuity.
Be Personable and Collaborative: Since this role is all about relationships, use your application to demonstrate your calm and collaborative nature. Share examples of how you've built trusted relationships in the past, as we value a team player who can negotiate without being adversarial.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this pivotal role in our close-knit team. Don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nigel Wright Group
✨Know Your Wine
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of wine sourcing and the specific regions mentioned in the job description, like France and Spain. Being able to discuss the nuances of quality-critical raw materials will show that you’re not just a candidate, but a passionate expert.
✨Build Relationships
Since this role emphasises relationship-led commercial negotiation, think about how you can demonstrate your ability to build and maintain long-term supplier relationships. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you successfully navigated complex negotiations without being adversarial.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As part of a small leadership team, it’s crucial to convey your calm and collaborative approach. Be ready to share instances where your leadership made a significant impact, especially in high-pressure situations. This will help them see you as a credible addition to their team.
✨Understand the Business Context
Familiarise yourself with Buckfast Tonic Wine's history and its significance in the UK drinks market. Understanding their focus on continuity and stewardship will allow you to align your answers with their values, showing that you’re genuinely interested in contributing to their legacy.