At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop the end-to-end supply chain function for a cutting-edge engineering company.
- Company: Join RML Group, an innovative leader in technology and manufacturing excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership opportunities, and a chance to shape the future of supply chain.
- Other info: RML Group values diversity and welcomes applications from the Armed Forces community.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on strategic decision-making in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in supply chain management within complex technical environments.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Head of Supply Chain
About the Role
RML Group is seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Supply Chain to lead and develop our end-to-end supply chain function.
This is a senior leadership role responsible for driving performance, resilience, and continuous improvement across Purchasing, Stores, Logistics, and Quality & Inspection.
As Head of Supply Chain, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the business has the materials, supplier partnerships, processes, and controls required to support operational delivery, customer commitments, and future growth.
Working closely with Engineering, Production, Projects & Planning, Finance, and Commercial teams, you will ensure the supply chain operates as a fully integrated function that supports programme execution and manufacturing excellence.
This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially minded supply chain leader who thrives in a fast-paced, high-performance engineering environment and is passionate about building world-class supply chain capability.
Key Responsibilities
- Leadership & Strategy
- Lead, develop, and inspire the Purchasing, Stores, Logistics, and Quality & Inspection teams, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Define and execute the company's supply chain strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives, operational requirements, and growth plans.
- Establish clear departmental objectives, KPIs, and performance measures focused on quality, cost, delivery, inventory, and service performance.
- Partner with senior leadership to ensure supply chain capability supports programme requirements, production plans, and strategic goals.
- Supplier & Commercial Management
- Develop and maintain strategic supplier relationships to achieve best-in-class performance across quality, cost, delivery, and responsiveness.
- Lead supplier selection, contract negotiations, and commercial agreements to secure long-term value and supply continuity.
- Drive supplier development and performance improvement initiatives.
- Identify and mitigate supply chain risks through supplier diversification, contingency planning, and business continuity strategies.
- Operations & Performance
- Oversee inventory planning, stores operations, and material control processes, ensuring inventory accuracy, traceability, and material availability.
- Manage inbound and outbound logistics activities to ensure efficient, compliant, and cost-effective movement of materials and products.
- Monitor and report on key supply chain performance metrics, implementing improvement initiatives to enhance operational effectiveness.
- Drive continuous improvement across all supply chain functions, improving efficiency, scalability, process robustness, and data accuracy.
- Ensure effective utilisation and ongoing enhancement of ERP/MRP systems and supply chain planning processes.
About You
We're looking for a proven supply chain leader with the ability to operate strategically while maintaining strong operational oversight.
You will have
- Extensive experience leading supply chain functions within engineering, manufacturing, automotive, motorsport, aerospace, defence, or other complex technical environments.
- Significant leadership experience across procurement, inventory management, logistics, and supplier quality functions.
- Strong knowledge of end-to-end supply chain management, including strategic sourcing, supplier development, inventory control, logistics, and quality assurance.
- A successful track record of developing and implementing supply chain strategies that improve performance, resilience, and scalability.
- Strong commercial acumen, including experience negotiating supplier agreements and managing supplier performance.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make data-driven decisions.
- Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels of an organisation.
- Experience using ERP/MRP systems, supply chain planning tools, and quality management frameworks.
- What You'll Bring
- Strategic thinking combined with strong operational execution.
- A proactive and collaborative leadership style.
- The ability to thrive in a fast-paced, technically demanding environment.
- A passion for continuous improvement and driving organisational performance.
- Strong influencing and negotiation skills, both internally and externally.
Why Join RML Group?
At RML Group, you'll be joining an innovative engineering business at the forefront of delivering cutting-edge technology and manufacturing excellence.
You'll have the opportunity to shape and lead a critical business function, influence strategic decision-making, and make a significant impact on the future success of the organisation.
If you're an experienced supply chain leader looking for your next challenge, we'd love to hear from you.
RML Group welcomes applications from members of the Armed Forces community , including Reservists, Veterans, military spouses and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers
Head of Supply Chain in Wellingborough employer: RML Group
RML Group is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, making it an ideal place for a strategic Head of Supply Chain to thrive. With a commitment to continuous improvement and employee development, you will have access to unique growth opportunities in a fast-paced engineering environment, all while contributing to cutting-edge technology and manufacturing excellence. Join us to make a meaningful impact on our supply chain capabilities and the future success of the organisation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Supply Chain in Wellingborough
✨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 RML Group, 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 Head of Supply Chain.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Supply Chain in Wellingborough
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 RML Group. 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 RML Group 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 RML Group
✨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 RML Group.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by RML Group
Look into any unique supply chain challenges RML Group 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!
