At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the entire supply chain strategy and manage a dynamic team in food manufacturing.
- Company: Global food manufacturer undergoing exciting transformation and investment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, autonomy in role, and opportunity to shape the future of the site.
- Why this job: Make a real impact and drive change in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in complex manufacturing supply chains and strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and to work with innovative processes.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 70000 £ per year.
If you like turning chaos into something that looks vaguely like order, this might suit you. The business is a global food manufacturer in the middle of a transformation. That means two things: investment is happening, and so is the kind of change that makes lesser mortals quietly update their CVs. They need a Supply Chain Manager who can handle both - someone who can run the day-to-day without losing sight of the bigger picture, and who doesn’t flinch when the words "new production lines" and "integration project" get thrown around in the same meeting.
The Job
- You’ll own the site’s entire supply chain strategy. Not "influence". Not "support". Own.
- You’ll lead a planning and logistics team who’ll be looking to you to make sense of shifting priorities, new systems, and the usual manufacturing surprises.
- You’ll make SAP behave (or at least look like it does), keep materials flowing, and ensure customers never see the chaos behind the curtain.
- There’s plenty to get your teeth into: new infrastructure coming online, processes that need tightening, KPIs that need hitting, and an S&OP process that needs a steady hand and, occasionally, a firm shove.
What You’ll Actually Be Doing
- Running the entire supply chain function for the site - planning, raw materials, scheduling, logistics, the lot.
- Making SAP and best-practice processes coexist without drama (or with minimal drama).
- Keeping stock levels sensible and costs under control.
- Leading demand planning and making sure procurement, manufacturing, and resources all sing from the same hymn sheet.
- Driving KPIs and embedding continuous improvement because "this is how we’ve always done it" won’t cut it.
- Producing reporting that’s actually useful and leading the site supply reviews.
- Building an S&OP process people actually follow.
- Leading and developing your team, not just managing them.
What You’ll Need
- Solid experience running supply chain in a complex manufacturing environment.
- ERP/MRP fluency. If you’ve wrestled with M3 and lived to tell the tale, even better.
- Demonstrable people leadership - meaning you’ve changed things, not just kept them ticking.
- The confidence to challenge upwards, sideways, and anywhere else required.
- Strong analytical and communication skills, and the ability to stay calm when the wheels wobble.
Why Bother?
Because this is one of those rare roles where you’ll genuinely get to shape a site’s future, not just babysit a process someone else designed. There’s big investment, genuine autonomy, and a senior leadership seat waiting for someone who can make things better - and prove it. If you want a quiet life, this isn’t it. If you want impact, it is.
Supply Chain Manager employer: The Collective Network
Contact Detail:
The Collective Network Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Supply Chain Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its supply chain processes. Be ready to discuss how you can tackle their specific challenges and bring your own ideas to the table. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You need to be able to clearly articulate your experience and how it aligns with their needs. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've turned chaos into order in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Supply Chain Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Supply Chain: When you write your application, let your enthusiasm for supply chain management shine through. We want to see how you can turn chaos into order and how you've tackled challenges in the past. Make it personal and relatable!
Be Specific About Your Experience: Don’t just list your previous roles; tell us about the specific projects you’ve led or contributed to. Highlight your experience with ERP/MRP systems like SAP and any transformations you've been part of. We love details that show you know your stuff!
Demonstrate Leadership Skills: We’re looking for someone who can lead a team, not just manage them. Share examples of how you've developed your team members and driven change. Show us that you can inspire others and make a real impact in a fast-paced environment.
Keep It Professional Yet Approachable: While we appreciate a friendly tone, remember to keep your application professional. Use clear language and structure your thoughts well. A well-organised application reflects your ability to manage complex tasks, which is exactly what we need!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Collective Network
✨Know Your Supply Chain Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you brush up on your supply chain knowledge, especially in food manufacturing. Be ready to discuss specific challenges you've faced and how you've tackled them. This will show that you can handle the chaos and bring order to the process.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led teams through change and transformation. Highlight instances where you've not just managed but developed your team. This role requires someone who can inspire and drive continuous improvement, so be ready to showcase your people leadership.
✨Get Familiar with SAP and ERP Systems
Since you'll need to make SAP behave, it’s crucial to demonstrate your fluency with ERP/MRP systems. Bring specific examples of how you've used these tools to streamline processes or solve problems in previous roles. This will show you're not just familiar but proficient.
✨Show Your Analytical Side
Be prepared to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions and improve KPIs. Think of examples where your analytical skills made a significant impact on supply chain performance. This will highlight your ability to keep calm under pressure and make informed decisions.