At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and optimise the supply chain for a fast-growing plant-based food company.
- Company: Join Vegetarian Express, a certified B Corporation making a positive impact in foodservice.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 25 days holiday, health plan, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive and innovative environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team driving change in the booming plant-based market.
- Qualifications: 4+ years in supply chain management, ideally in food, with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.
Location: Watford WD24 7RY, hybrid
Salary: Competitive salary DOE
Job Type: Full Time, Fixed term [12 months - from October 2026]
Vegetarian Express specialise in delivering plant-based ingredients, ideas and inspiration to chefs across the UK for eating out of home. With the astronomical rise in popularity of plant-based, vegan, vegetarian and flexitarian diets, we're uniquely placed in foodservice to meet this demand - and we're growing fast. Nationally we supply more than 4,000 skilled chefs from customers such as Compass, Baxterstorey and CH&Co, as well as a huge range of independent operators and events including the Chelsea Flower Show, Wimbledon and Wembley Stadium. We're proud to be a certified B Corporation - part of a growing number of progressive businesses who believe in the power of business to do good and are doing something about it.
The role:
We're looking for an experienced Supply Chain Manager to join us on a fixed-term contract covering maternity leave (12 months, from October 2026), owning end-to-end supply chain performance including demand planning, stock health, inbound logistics and supplier performance. You'll manage supplier forecasting, develop our forecasting tools and ways of working that our Supply Chain Planner and wider team deliver against day to day, working closely with Procurement and Operations. This is a line management role with responsibility for our Supply Chain Planner and reportable to our Purchasing and Supply Chain Director. You'll also play a part in an important period of operational change for the business as we continue to scale, so experience supporting teams through change is a real advantage.
What you'll be doing:
- Line-managing and developing our Supply Chain Planner - setting objectives, reviewing performance, building capability
- Owning availability, stock health and wastage targets, and the plan to hit them
- Acting as escalation point for supply issues needing cross-functional or supplier-level resolution
- Owning supplier delivery performance strategy alongside our Procurement Manager
- Setting inventory strategy - stock holding, MOQ negotiations, stock day targets
- Driving continuous improvement in forecasting, planning tools and process automation
- Representing supply chain in wider business planning during a period of change
What we're looking for:
- 4+ years' experience leading a supply chain function, ideally within food
- Previous line management experience with a proven track record of developing others
- Strong stakeholder management and cross-function matrix working
- Comfortable managing a complex product range, at pace, through change
- Strong analytical skills; intermediate Excel essential
- Confident communicator, able to influence and lead at all levels
What's in it for you:
- Competitive basic salary, dependent on experience
- 25 days holiday plus public holidays (option to purchase up to 3 additional days)
- Cash health plan (money back for dentist, opticians, physio and more)
- Life assurance (4x salary)
- Staff discount on all products
- Pension (3% employer, 5% employee)
- Hybrid working - office days to flex around business needs
- 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Candidates with experience of: Senior Supply Chain Officer, Supply Chain Co-ordinator, Supply Chain Planner, Buying Project Manager, Purchasing Manager, Supply Chain Team Leader, Supply Chain Supervisor may also be considered for this role.
Supply Chain Manager - Maternity Cover employer: Vegetarian Express Ltd
Vegetarian Express Ltd is an excellent employer that values innovation and sustainability in the plant-based foodservice sector. With a supportive work culture that encourages collaboration and personal growth, employees benefit from ongoing training and development opportunities, as well as the chance to make a meaningful impact in a rapidly growing industry. Located in Watford, the company offers a vibrant environment where team members can thrive while contributing to a healthier planet.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Supply Chain Manager - Maternity Cover
✨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 Vegetarian Express Ltd, 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 Supply Chain Manager - Maternity Cover.
We think you need these skills to ace Supply Chain Manager - Maternity Cover
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 Vegetarian Express Ltd. 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 Vegetarian Express Ltd 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 Vegetarian Express Ltd
✨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 Vegetarian Express Ltd.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by Vegetarian Express Ltd
Look into any unique supply chain challenges Vegetarian Express Ltd 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!
