Operations & Supply Chain Manager in Slough

Operations & Supply Chain Manager in Slough

Slough Full-Time 40000 - 55000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the operations and supply chain for a fast-growing wine brand.
  • Company: Join Vinca, an innovative wine company with exciting growth plans.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, wine allowance, gym membership, and hybrid working.
  • Other info: Opportunity to grow and innovate in a vibrant startup environment.
  • Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team shaping the future of wine distribution.
  • Qualifications: 3-6 years in supply chain or operations, ideally in FMCG.

The predicted salary is between 40000 - 55000 £ per year.

Location: Bermondsey, London HQ

Contract: Full-time

Reporting to: Head of Operations & Procurement

Who We Are

We believe wine is better shared. So, we made Vinca, a range of wines worth sharing. Our award-winning cans and aluminium bottles are made for moments, big and small: festivals, trains, football matches, dinner on the sofa. And our range won't stop there. We've got more innovation in the pipeline.

We're growing fast, and we're just getting started, with ambitious plans over the next couple of years driven by new product launches and expansion into new channels and markets. We're hiring an Operations & Supply Chain Manager to build and run the operational engine that will make this growth possible.

The Opportunity

This is the first hire into a growing Operations team, reporting directly to the Head of Operations & Procurement. You'll take full ownership of the day-to-day running of our supply chain and operations, from placing orders with our Sicilian winery, through UK bottling/canning and warehousing, to getting product into our customers' hands on time and in full.

You'll be stepping into a role that currently sits with the Head of Operations and Procurement, so you'll spend your first few months getting close to every part of the operation before taking full ownership. From there, you'll run the operation independently, with the Head of Operations focused on strategic priorities like new product development, new markets and supplier strategy, and you as the operational owner making sure it all runs smoothly day to day.

You'll also play an active role, alongside the Head of Operations, in shaping how new products and new markets get built into the operating model as we launch them. This is a hands-on role where you'll be assessed not just on process, but on results: on-time-in-full delivery, stock accuracy, and the margin you help protect and build as we scale.

What You'll Be Responsible For

  • Own our end-to-end demand forecasting and rolling supply plan, balancing stock cover against demand across a growing number of channels and markets.
  • Place and manage orders with our winery in Sicily and manage the relationship with our UK canning and bottling partners.
  • Oversee inbound shipments and UK warehousing, ensuring stock levels match perfectly across all physical and systemic locations.
  • Own the full customer order process from setup to final delivery, ensuring every order is delivered on time and in full, across on-trade, off-trade and DtC channels, each with its own operational rhythm.
  • Take day-to-day ownership of margin monitoring and variance reporting, flagging structural cost or pricing issues to the Head of Operations.
  • Manage import/export requirements, customs documentation and regulatory compliance for existing and new markets.
  • Build out clear, documented processes across the operation that could support a growing team as the company scales.
  • Work closely with the Head of Operations to pressure test the operational feasibility of new products, concepts and markets before launch, then take ownership of implementing them operationally once agreed.
  • Constantly refine our workflows with a focus on operational efficiency, sustainability and scalability as order volumes and complexity grow.
  • Independently resolve inbound and outbound discrepancies, investigating root causes rather than just managing symptoms.
  • Act as a key point of contact for our winery, production partners and customers, maintaining our high standards of service.

What We're Looking For

  • At least 3–6 years' experience in supply chain, operations or procurement, ideally within wine, drinks, or another import-heavy, short-shelf-life FMCG category.
  • Exposure to contract packing/co-packing or bottling operations, or the confidence to get up to speed quickly.
  • Commercially numerate and comfortable owning margin, not just reporting it: you understand how landed cost, packaging and logistics choices affect the bottom line.
  • A track record of building or owning a demand forecasting process, not just using one someone else built.
  • A natural process-builder: you document and systemise rather than keeping things in your head, so the operation can scale.
  • Confident using ERP/inventory systems (e.g. Cin7, Unleashed, NetSuite) and advanced Excel/Google Sheets (pivot tables, VLOOKUPs).
  • Comfortable making the operational call and owning the outcome, rather than escalating everything upward, so you reduce the Head of Operations' workload rather than add to it.
  • Excited by variety: supermarkets, festivals, bars and direct-to-consumer orders all need a different operational approach, and you enjoy flexing across them.
  • Happy in a small, fast-moving startup, flagging risks early, with context, and building the plane while flying it.

What You'll Get

  • £40k–£55k based on experience
  • Wine allowance
  • 25 days holiday + bank holidays
  • Day off on your birthday
  • Paid gym membership
  • Hybrid working: we're in the office at least 3 days a week, and flexible on the rest
  • Guestlist access to some of the UK's best music and sports events for you and your friends
  • Very occasional weekend work (e.g. festivals), but you'll get days in lieu
  • Team trip to our vineyards in Sicily
  • Space to grow, learn, and shape the Operations function as we scale

How to Apply

We're not looking for someone who wants a job. We want someone who wants to build the operational backbone of one of the UK's most exciting wine brands. If that sounds like you, send your CV and a short cover letter to and tell us why you're the one to take Vinca's operations to the next level and answer the following in 100 words or less each:

  • Explain to someone outside operations why a cheaper unit cost doesn't always mean better margin.
  • What excites you most about Vinca's product range, proposition or growth strategy, and why?

Operations & Supply Chain Manager in Slough employer: Vinca Wine | B-Corp™

Vinca Wine is an exceptional employer that champions sustainability and innovation in the wine industry. With a vibrant work culture that encourages creativity and collaboration, employees are offered ample opportunities for personal and professional growth. Located in a dynamic environment, Vinca Wine not only values its team members but also empowers them to make a meaningful impact in a rapidly evolving market.

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Contact Details:

Vinca Wine | B-Corp™ Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Operations & Supply Chain Manager in Slough

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 Vinca Wine | B-Corp™, 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 Operations & Supply Chain Manager.

We think you need these skills to ace Operations & Supply Chain Manager in Slough

Supply Chain Management
Operations Management
Demand Forecasting
Order Management
Relationship Management
Margin Monitoring
Import/Export Compliance

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 Vinca Wine | B-Corp™. 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 Vinca Wine | B-Corp™ 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 Vinca Wine | B-Corp™

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 Vinca Wine | B-Corp™.

Research Specific Challenges Faced by Vinca Wine | B-Corp™

Look into any unique supply chain challenges Vinca Wine | B-Corp™ 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!