At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sourcing and materials planning in a dynamic engineering environment.
- Company: Specialist engineering and manufacturing organisation with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and exposure to high-profile projects.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for innovation and efficiency improvements.
- Why this job: Shape supply chain performance and make a real impact in a complex industry.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement and supplier management, ideally in manufacturing.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 65000 £ per year.
A specialist engineering and manufacturing organisation operating in a complex, project-led production environment is seeking a Supply Chain Manager to lead sourcing, materials planning and inbound supply activities across multiple programmes. This role plays a critical part in ensuring materials, components and services are available to support demanding build schedules, while also driving strong commercial outcomes and long-term supplier performance. You’ll operate at both a strategic and operational level, working closely with production, engineering, programme management and finance to keep delivery on track.
Key responsibilities
- Develop and execute an effective supply chain strategy aligned to business and programme requirements
- Lead procurement activity including sourcing, supplier evaluation, commercial negotiation and contract placement
- Build and maintain robust supplier relationships to improve cost control, delivery reliability and quality performance
- Identify supply chain risks early and put mitigation plans in place, including alternative sourcing and capacity planning
- Oversee materials planning and scheduling to ensure continuity of supply into manufacturing
- Manage MRP processes, ensuring accuracy of demand signals, lead times and inventory parameters
- Coordinate closely with production and engineering teams to manage changes, priorities and build requirements
- Drive effective inventory management, balancing availability with working capital and space constraints
- Take ownership of inbound logistics and material flow from supplier through to point of use
- Monitor supplier KPIs, resolve issues proactively and drive continuous improvement
- Maintain integrity of ERP/MRP data relating to pricing, lead times, stock and supplier information
- Provide clear reporting on supply status, risks, costs and performance metrics
- Champion efficiency improvements across supply chain processes, systems and ways of working
About you
You will be an experienced Supply Chain Manager or Senior Supply Chain professional with a background in manufacturing or complex engineering environments. You are likely to bring:
- Proven experience across procurement, materials planning and supplier management
- Strong commercial and negotiation skills with demonstrable cost and value outcomes
- Solid understanding of MRP/ERP systems, inventory control and production-led planning
- Experience working in low-volume, high-variation or build-to-order manufacturing settings
- The ability to interpret data and forecasts to support confident decision-making
- A hands-on, solutions-focused approach with the confidence to influence across functions
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in fast-paced environments
- Formal qualifications in supply chain, procurement or engineering (e.g. CIPS, APICS/CPIM) are advantageous, though practical experience is highly valued.
Why apply?
A senior, influential role within a technically complex manufacturing business. Opportunity to shape end-to-end supply chain performance. Exposure to specialist, high-profile production programmes. A collaborative, engineering-focused culture.
Locations
Supply Chain Manager in Essex, Witham employer: Pure Resourcing Solutions
Contact Detail:
Pure Resourcing Solutions Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Supply Chain Manager in Essex, Witham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend local supply chain events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that Supply Chain Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. We recommend having a few examples ready that showcase your procurement and supplier management skills. Show them you’re the perfect fit for their complex, project-led environment!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. We suggest mentioning something specific from your conversation to make it personal.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance at landing that job! We’ve got loads of resources to help you ace the application process and get noticed by hiring managers in the engineering and manufacturing sectors.
We think you need these skills to ace Supply Chain Manager in Essex, Witham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Supply Chain Manager role. Highlight your experience in procurement, materials planning, and supplier management. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your achievements in supply chain management and how they relate to the responsibilities listed in the job description.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to highlight your strong commercial and negotiation skills! We’re looking for someone who can drive cost and value outcomes, so make sure to include relevant experiences that demonstrate these abilities.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you on our radar quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pure Resourcing Solutions
✨Know Your Supply Chain Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the supply chain processes relevant to the role. Brush up on your knowledge of procurement, materials planning, and supplier management. Being able to discuss specific strategies you've implemented in past roles will show that you're not just familiar with the theory but have practical experience too.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific supply chain challenges. Think about potential risks in a project-led environment and how you would mitigate them. Prepare examples from your previous experience where you successfully navigated similar situations, showcasing your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Since strong commercial and negotiation skills are crucial for this role, be ready to discuss your approach to supplier negotiations. Share examples of successful negotiations you've led, focusing on the outcomes and how they benefited your previous employers. This will demonstrate your ability to drive cost control and value.
✨Highlight Your Collaborative Spirit
This role requires close collaboration with various teams, so be prepared to talk about how you've worked effectively across functions in the past. Share stories that illustrate your ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain strong relationships with production, engineering, and finance teams. This will show that you can thrive in a collaborative, engineering-focused culture.