At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop supply chain strategy in a dynamic food manufacturing environment.
- Company: Leading ambient and chilled food manufacturer in Scotland.
- Benefits: Opportunity to shape strategy and drive performance in a growing sector.
- Other info: Join a fast-paced environment with a focus on continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact and lead meaningful change in food manufacturing.
- Qualifications: Significant leadership experience in supply chain, ideally in food manufacturing.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
A leading ambient and chilled food manufacturer in Scotland is seeking an experienced Head of Supply Chain to lead end-to-end supply chain operations across planning, procurement, warehousing, logistics, and supplier management. This is a senior leadership role with significant influence across the full value chain, ensuring products are delivered safely, efficiently, and in line with customer demand.
The Role
- Lead and develop the end-to-end supply chain strategy to support business growth and operational performance.
- Manage and develop teams across planning, procurement, inbound/outbound logistics, and inventory.
- Oversee demand forecasting, supply planning, stock management, and service performance.
- Build strong supplier partnerships focused on quality, cost, innovation, and continuity of supply.
- Work closely with operations and commercial teams to align production, customer demand, and business priorities.
- Drive warehousing, logistics, and distribution efficiency while maintaining high customer service levels.
- Own key supply chain KPIs, budgets, risk management, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Ensure compliance with food safety, quality, and regulatory standards (BRC, HACCP, etc.).
What We’re Looking For
- Significant leadership experience within supply chain, ideally in chilled or ambient manufacturing.
- Strong understanding of S&OP, procurement, logistics, inventory optimisation, and supplier management.
- Proven experience supplying major UK retailers and managing service, cost, and performance in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to lead high-performing teams and influence across operations, commercial, finance, and technical functions.
- Strong knowledge of food safety and regulatory standards.
- A strategic thinker with a hands-on, results-driven approach and a passion for continuous improvement.
Why This Role?
This is an excellent opportunity for a senior supply chain professional to make a significant impact in a dynamic, growing food manufacturing environment. If you’re looking for a leadership role where you can shape strategy, drive performance, and lead meaningful change, we’d love to hear from you.
Strategic Head of Supply Chain - Food Manufacturing employer: Protea Recruitment Ltd | Food | Drinks | FMCG Recruitment Partner
As a leading ambient and chilled food manufacturer in Scotland, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that empowers our employees to excel. With a strong focus on professional development, we offer numerous growth opportunities and the chance to influence key supply chain strategies in a dynamic environment. Join us to be part of a team that values quality, efficiency, and continuous improvement while ensuring compliance with the highest food safety standards.
Contact Details:
Protea Recruitment Ltd | Food | Drinks | FMCG Recruitment Partner Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Head of Supply Chain - Food Manufacturing
✨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 Protea Recruitment Ltd | Food | Drinks | FMCG Recruitment Partner, 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 Strategic Head of Supply Chain - Food Manufacturing.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Head of Supply Chain - Food Manufacturing
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 Protea Recruitment Ltd | Food | Drinks | FMCG Recruitment Partner. 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 Protea Recruitment Ltd | Food | Drinks | FMCG Recruitment Partner 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 Protea Recruitment Ltd | Food | Drinks | FMCG Recruitment Partner
✨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 Protea Recruitment Ltd | Food | Drinks | FMCG Recruitment Partner.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by Protea Recruitment Ltd | Food | Drinks | FMCG Recruitment Partner
Look into any unique supply chain challenges Protea Recruitment Ltd | Food | Drinks | FMCG Recruitment Partner 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!
