Head of Supply Chain

1st Executive Ltd; Cheltenham; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

1st Executive Ltd is partnering with a growing short-life foods manufacturer to appoint an experienced Head of Supply Chain to lead its end-to-end operation and drive improvements across planning, procurement, logistics and inventory.

The role sits at senior level within a fast-paced environment where shelf life, service, availability and cost are critical. You will develop supply chain strategy, lead a high-performing team, and work closely with Operations, Commercial and Finance.

Qualifications

• Experienced supply chain leader in short-life FMCG manufacturing.
• Strong in end-to-end supply chain development and improvement.
• Proven ability to lead planning, procurement, logistics and inventory teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the end-to-end supply chain function.
• Drive improvements across demand, supply and production planning.
• Ensure high levels of customer service and product availability.
• Manage raw material and packaging availability in a short-life environment.
• Optimise stock levels while minimising waste, obsolescence and cost.
• Develop supplier relationships and improve supplier performance.
• Improve forecasting, S&OP and supply chain visibility.
• Collaborate with manufacturing to optimise production capacity.
• Manage logistics and distribution performance.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, cost and service.
• Develop supply chain strategy aligned with growth plans.
• Lead, coach and develop the supply chain team.
• Provide clear reporting and supply chain insight to senior leadership.

Skills

Planning

Procurement

Logistics

Inventory

S&OP

Demand planning

Production planning

Supplier management

Forecasting

Supply chain visibility

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder communication

Job description

I'm currently working with a growing short-life food manufacturer that is looking to appoint an experienced Head of Supply Chain to lead and develop its end-to-end supply chain operation.

This is a high-impact role within a fast-paced manufacturing environment, where shelf life, service, availability, waste and cost are critical to success.

The Role

As one of the senior leadership team, you will take responsibility for the end-to-end supply chain, ensuring the business has the right products, materials and capacity available at the right time.

You will lead teams across areas such as planning, procurement, purchasing, logistics and inventory, working closely with Operations, Commercial, Technical and Finance.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading and developing the end-to-end supply chain function
• Driving improvements across demand, supply and production planning
• Ensuring high levels of customer service and product availability
• Managing raw material and packaging availability within a short-life environment
• Optimising stock levels while minimising waste, obsolescence and cost
• Developing strong supplier relationships and improving supplier performance
• Improving forecasting, S&OP and supply chain visibility
• Working closely with manufacturing to optimise production capacity
• Managing logistics and distribution performance
• Identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, cost and service
• Developing supply chain strategy in line with the company's growth plans
• Leading, coaching and developing the supply chain team
• Providing clear reporting and supply chain insight to the senior leadership team

I am looking for an experienced supply chain leader who understands the pace and complexity of short-life food manufacturing.

You will ideally have experience within fresh food, chilled food, prepared foods, bakery, dairy, fresh produce or another highly perishable FMCG environment.

You will be commercially minded, analytical and comfortable operating at both strategic and operational level.

Experience of S&OP, demand planning, production planning, inventory optimisation and supplier management would be highly advantageous.

Most importantly, you will be a strong people leader who can bring structure, challenge existing processes and build a high-performing supply chain function.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing food manufacturer where you can have a genuine influence on the future supply chain strategy and performance of the business.

You must be within an easy commute of Cheltenham