Supply Chain & Inventory Manager

Thames Water Utilities Limited; East Hagbourne; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water and wastewater company based in Didcot is seeking a Supply Chain & Inventory Manager to oversee critical materials and inventory operations. The role involves data analysis, process optimization, and stakeholder engagement to ensure operational efficiency and inventory accuracy. Ideal candidates will have proven experience in supply chain management and strong SAP ECC knowledge. Offering a salary between £50,000 and £54,000, plus excellent benefits.

Benefits

26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30

Contributory pension scheme

Personal Medical Assessments

Qualifications

• Proven experience in inventory or supply chain management within distribution, manufacturing, or logistics.
• Strong working knowledge of SAP ECC, especially in inventory and supply modules.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, lookups, dashboards, etc.) and data analysis tools.

Responsibilities

• Manage the planning, control, and accuracy of inventory.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret operational data to provide actionable insights.
• Identify inefficiencies in current workflows and lead process improvement initiatives.

Skills

Proven experience in inventory or supply chain management

Strong working knowledge of SAP ECC

Proficiency in Microsoft Excel

Experience using data to drive operational improvements

Job description

Overview

Job title Supply Chain & Inventory Manager Ref 42775 Division Asset Operations & Capital Delivery Location Didcot Distribution Centre, Omega 3, Collett Way, Didcot, OX11 7AW Contract type Permanent Full/Part-time Full-time Hours 36 hours per week Salary Offering between £50,000 and £54,000 depending on experience and skills Job grade B Closing date 20/10/2025

The Supply Chain & Inventory Manager is responsible for overseeing the end-to-end management of critical materials and inventory operations while driving data-led decision-making and continuous improvement across the supply chain function. This role balances day-to-day operational oversight with strategic data analysis, system management, and process optimisation to ensure inventory accuracy, supplier performance, and efficient warehouse operations.

Responsibilities

Inventory & Supply Chain Operations

• Manage the planning, control, and accuracy of inventory, with a focus on critical materials availability.
• Monitor stock levels, coordinate replenishment activities, and mitigate shortages or excess inventory.
• Collaborate with procurement, planning, and warehouse teams to ensure alignment of supply and demand.
• Oversee supplier delivery performance, addressing any issues affecting inbound supply.

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Collect, analyse, and interpret operational data to provide actionable insights.
• Develop and maintain dashboards and KPIs related to inventory, supplier performance, and warehouse productivity.
• Use data trends to identify risks and opportunities within supply chain operations.
• Deliver regular reports to senior stakeholders to support business planning and decision-making.

Process Improvement & Operational Excellence

• Identify inefficiencies in current workflows and lead process improvement initiatives across inventory and supply chain operations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, implement, and monitor process improvements that drive cost reduction and operational efficiency.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement and best practice sharing.

Systems & Tools Management

• Act as the super user for SAP ECC and other inventory/supply chain platforms, providing day-to-day user support.
• Lead testing and training for system upgrades, changes, or enhancements.
• Ensure systems are fully optimised and accurately reflect operational processes.

Stakeholder Engagement & Leadership

• Liaise effectively with internal teams, including procurement, warehouse operations, finance, and planning, to align operational activities.
• Communicate insights, challenges, and opportunities clearly to senior stakeholders.
• Provide leadership and guidance to inventory coordinators and operational support roles.

Location – Your base would be Didcot, Oxfordshire.

What you should bring to the role

• Proven experience in inventory or supply chain management within a distribution, manufacturing, or logistics environment.
• Strong working knowledge of SAP ECC (especially in inventory and supply modules).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, lookups, dashboards, etc.) and data analysis tools.
• Demonstrated experience using data to drive operational improvements and inform decision-making.

Essential criteria

What’s in it for you?

• Offering between £50,000 and £54,000 per annum, depending on experience and skills
• 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service. (plus bank holidays)
• Contributory pension – Defined Contribution - Maximum of 12% -2x employee contribution.
• Personal Medical Assessments – open to all once a year.
• Wider benefits scheme, including our benefits hub, which is packed full of offers and information to save you money and support your well-being.

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

If you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else, just let us know. We’re here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.

Disclaimer: Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.