Supply Chain Manager
2 days ago
Cambridge
Job Title: Supply Chain Manager Location: Cambridge – with flexible travel across the UK and Europe Job Type: Full time Industry: Aerospace/Defence | Start-ups & Scale-ups Reports to: Head of Manufacturing For this role... The ideal candidate will have experience coming through the ranks from a manufacturing environment, progressing their career from buying, purchasing, procurement and into supply chain that has good knowledge of the whole manufacturing process, or is a qualified engineer themselves. You will have a good understanding of budgeting, commercials, forecasting and MRP management, and a bonus if you have come from a start-up or scale-up company, ideally from automotive, aerospace or electronic component manufacturing. About the Role... We are seeking an experienced and strategic Supply Chain Manager to lead and develop our end-to-end supply chain function, with a strong emphasis on building the department from the ground up. The successful candidate will bring hands-on experience in establishing scalable supply chain processes, teams, and systems within fast-paced, high-growth environments, particularly in start-up and scale-up settings. This role will be instrumental in designing and executing our supply chain strategy across direct and indirect procurement, while ensuring efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with the operational needs of the business. Key Responsibilities Department Leadership & Development • Build and lead the supply chain function from scratch, including setting up processes, systems, KPIs, and internal controls., • Recruit, train, and manage supply chain and procurement personnel as the business scales., • Define and implement best practices in procurement, logistics, inventory, and stores operations. Procurement Management (Direct & Indirect) • Lead sourcing and procurement activities for direct materials, indirect goods, and services., • Develop procurement strategies that align with company goals, budget constraints, and regulatory compliance. Supplier Management • Drive supplier selection, qualification, onboarding, and ongoing performance management., • Lead long-term and short-term commercial negotiations to secure competitive pricing and strong service-level agreements. Cost Optimisation • Identify and execute cost-saving initiatives through strategic sourcing, demand management, and process efficiency. Forecasting & Planning • Collaborate with internal stakeholders to develop accurate demand forecasts and ensure material availability., • Integrate forecasting into procurement and stock planning systems to support operational continuity. BOM Analysis & Alignment • Conduct deep-dive analysis of Bills of Materials to optimise sourcing and validate costing accuracy., • Work closely with engineering and manufacturing teams to support product lifecycle requirements. Inventory & Stores Control • Oversee all aspects of inventory management, including stock accuracy, safety stock, and turnover., • Implement robust stores control procedures and continuous improvement measures. Compliance & Standards • Ensure adherence to applicable industry standards and regulations (e.g., AS9100, ISO, MOD/defence procurement protocols). Qualifications & Experience Essential: • 5–7+ years of progressive supply chain and procurement experience., • Proven experience in building a supply chain function or department from the ground up., • Strong background in start-up and scale-up environments., • Industry expertise in defence, automotive, and/or aerospace sectors., • Track record in direct and indirect procurement, supplier management, negotiation, and cost optimisation., • Experience in forecasting, BOM analysis, stock management, and stores operations. Desirable: • Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or related field., • Professional certifications (e.g., CIPS, APICS, Lean Six Sigma)., • ERP/MRP system proficiency (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite). Key Skills: • Department setup and strategic leadership, • End-to-end supply chain and procurement, • Supplier development and contract negotiation, • Inventory planning and stores control, • BOM analysis and cost control, • Process design and operational scaling, • Strong analytical and interpersonal skills, • Agile mindset and adaptability to change