Head of Supply Chain

Tom Samuel Recruitment Ltd; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity participation

Private medical insurance

Professional development budget

Gym membership support

Season ticket loan

Company retreats

Job summary

Tom Samuel Recruitment is partnered with a High-Growth, VC-backed business seeking a Supply Chain & Planning Lead in London. The role carries £70,000–£90,000 base salary, plus equity and benefits, with hybrid working and a strong opportunity to shape supply chain strategy.

You will own end-to-end supply chain performance, inherit an established operation, and drive improvements across planning, supplier management, and operations as the company scales. Your impact will be visible and valued.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in supply chain management, demand planning, inventory management or operational improvement.
• Track record of delivering meaningful improvements rather than simply maintaining processes.
• Good commercial instincts and the confidence to manage and negotiate with suppliers.
• Analytical mindset, with the ability to turn data and ideas into practical action.
• Experience leading or developing a team, with the ability to get the best out of others.
• Hands-on, solutions-focused approach and the confidence to make decisions.
• Ambition to take on greater responsibility as the business grows.

Responsibilities

• Supply Chain Development: Evaluate and improve the existing supply chain and fulfilment model to increase efficiency, resilience and service performance.
• Demand & Supply Planning: Develop robust forecasting and inventory planning processes to keep pace with growth.
• Supplier Management: Build strong commercial relationships with manufacturers and logistics partners to improve cost, quality and delivery.
• Operational Improvement: Introduce best practices and smarter processes enabling scale.
• Team Leadership: Lead and develop a small team covering supply chain and planning.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with technology, commercial and operations to support new product introductions and customer experience.
• Performance Management: Use data and KPIs to identify improvements and drive results.

Skills

Supply chain management

Demand planning

Inventory management

Operational improvement

Team leadership

Analytical mindset

Commercial instincts

Problem solving

Job description

London | Hybrid (3 Days Office-Based) | High-Growth, VC-Backed Business

Have you built your career learning how great supply chains operate, but now want the opportunity to build and improve one yourself?

Supply Chain & Planning Lead

£70,000 – £90,000 + Equity + Benefits

Tom Samuel Recruitment is partnering with an ambitious, venture capital-backed business that's using innovative technology to transform a traditional industry.

Combining physical products, technology and a nationwide installation and service network, the business is experiencing significant growth and has exciting plans for the years ahead.

We’re looking for a talented and ambitious Supply Chain & Planning Lead to work directly with the COO, drive operational improvements and help build the supply chain capability needed to support the next phase of growth.

This is an opportunity for someone who enjoys making things better, takes pride in delivering results and wants to make a genuine impact in a business where their contribution will be visible and valued.

The Opportunity

You’ll take ownership of supply chain performance and improvement, ensuring the business has the products, suppliers, systems and processes needed to support its rapidly growing operations.

You’ll inherit an established operation and a capable team, but with considerable opportunity to introduce new ideas, improve performance and shape how the business operates as it scales.

This isn’t a role where you’ll simply maintain existing processes. You’ll be encouraged to challenge how things are done, introduce best practices and turn good ideas into measurable improvements.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supply Chain Development: Evaluate and improve the existing supply chain and fulfilment model, identifying opportunities to increase efficiency, resilience and service performance.


• Demand & Supply Planning: Develop robust forecasting and inventory planning processes, ensuring product availability keeps pace with business growth.


• Supplier Management: Build strong commercial relationships with manufacturers, suppliers and logistics partners, driving improvements in cost, quality and delivery performance.


• Operational Improvement: Introduce best practices, smarter processes and improved systems that enable the business to scale efficiently.


• Team Leadership: Lead and develop a small team covering supply chain and operational planning, creating a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and collaboration.


• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with technology, commercial and operational colleagues to support new product introductions, improve customer experience and solve problems.


• Performance Management: Use data and meaningful KPIs to identify opportunities, make informed decisions and deliver measurable improvements.

Who We’re Looking For

We’re particularly interested in ambitious supply chain and operations professionals who have built strong foundations in a well‑run business and are now looking for an opportunity to make a bigger impact.

You might have started your career on a graduate development programme with a major manufacturer, FMCG business or other established organisation, gaining exposure to best practices, structured processes and operational excellence.

Alternatively, you may have developed your career in a smaller, fast‑growing business where you’ve learned to be resourceful, adaptable and comfortable taking ownership.

The ideal combination would be someone who has experienced both environments: the structure and discipline of a large organisation, alongside the energy, pace and entrepreneurial thinking of a growing business.

We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate:

• Strong experience in supply chain management, demand planning, inventory management or operational improvement.


• A track record of delivering meaningful improvements rather than simply maintaining existing processes.


• Good commercial instincts and the confidence to manage and negotiate with suppliers.


• An analytical mindset, combined with the ability to turn data and ideas into practical action.


• Experience leading or developing a team, with the ability to get the best out of others.


• A hands‑on, solutions‑focused approach and the confidence to make decisions.


• The ambition and potential to take on greater responsibility as the business continues to grow.

Experience in a product‑led business with an installation, servicing or field operations element would be particularly relevant.

Previous experience in a start‑up, scale‑up or private equity/venture capital‑backed business would also be attractive, although it’s not essential.

We’re far more interested in your ability, achievements, potential and approach to solving problems than the industry you’ve worked in.

Why This Opportunity?

There are plenty of supply chain roles where you can manage an established operation, follow existing processes and deliver against predefined targets.

This is different.

You’ll be joining a business at an exciting stage of its development, with the financial backing, ambition and market opportunity to achieve substantial growth.

You’ll have direct exposure to the COO, the opportunity to influence decisions and the freedom to make genuine improvements.

It’s a business that values people who challenge the status quo, take responsibility and enjoy working in an environment where things move quickly.

You’ll have the opportunity to introduce the structure, processes and best practices that will help a successful entrepreneurial business become an even stronger, more scalable organisation.

For someone who has built strong foundations in supply chain and operations and is looking to accelerate their career, this could be an excellent next step.

Salary & Benefits

• £70,000 – £90,000 basic salary


• Equity participation through a tax‑incentivised share scheme


• Private medical and dental insurance


• Learning and development budget


• Gym membership contribution


• Season ticket loan and cycle‑to‑work scheme


• Annual company retreat and regular team events


• Hybrid working – three days per week in the London office

You’ll be joining a talented, collaborative and ambitious team in a business where people are encouraged to contribute ideas, take ownership and make a difference.

Interested?

If you’re an ambitious supply chain professional who enjoys solving problems, improving performance and making a genuine impact, we’d love to hear from you.

You don’t need to tick every box. We’re interested in people with the right foundations, attitude and potential to grow with the business.