Supply Chain Manager

SF Partners; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

SF Partners seeks an experienced Supply Chain Manager to lead day-to-day operations and drive strategic development within a manufacturing environment in the Birmingham area. You will oversee procurement, sales order processing, inventory management and transport, partnering with senior leaders to improve processes and supplier performance.

You will manage a team, develop SOPs, negotiate with suppliers and implement metrics to track OTIF and stock accuracy, ensuring high standards of service and

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing a supply chain or purchasing function within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong procurement and supplier negotiation experience.
• Experience managing and developing teams.
• Good understanding of inventory management, demand planning and stock control.
• Experience using ERP systems to manage purchasing and inventory information.
• Proven ability to introduce process improvements and lead operational change.
• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to balance cost, quality and service.
• Experience managing supplier performance and contractual agreements.
• Confident communication skills with the ability to work effectively across different departments.
• Strong analytical, organisational and problem-solving skills.
• A relevant health and safety qualification.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the supply chain team, overseeing procurement, sales order processing and transport operations.
• Establish clear SOPs to improve efficiency, consistency and quality.
• Develop team members through coaching, training and performance management.
• Promote a collaborative working environment with cross-department communication.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance supply chain performance.
• Manage supplier relationships, ensuring competitive pricing, quality and service levels.
• Negotiate supplier contracts, pricing agreements and purchasing terms.
• Oversee inventory management across two third-party warehouses.
• Improve stock accuracy, availability and order fulfilment.
• Develop demand forecasting tools to align with production and customer needs.
• Analyse sales data and work with commercial teams to forecast demand.
• Maintain ERP data integrity and accuracy.

Skills

Leadership

Procurement

Team management

Inventory management

ERP systems

Process improvement

Commercial awareness

Contract negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical skills

Health and safety knowledge

Education

Health and safety qualification

CIPS qualification

Job description

The Opportunity

We are recruiting for an experienced Supply Chain Manager to take responsibility for the day-to-day management and strategic development of supply chain operations within an established manufacturing business.

This is a senior leadership position with responsibility across procurement, sales order processing, inventory management and transport.

The successful candidate will play a key role in improving operational efficiency, developing processes, managing supplier relationships and leading a team to deliver high standards of service and performance.

Working closely with department heads and the senior leadership team, you will have the opportunity to influence operational improvements and contribute to the longer-term development of the business.

Key Responsibilities

Supply Chain Leadership & Team Management

• Lead and develop the supply chain team, overseeing procurement, sales order processing and transport operations.

• Establish clear processes and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to improve efficiency, consistency and quality.

• Develop team members through coaching, training and performance management.

• Promote a collaborative working environment with strong communication across departments.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance supply chain performance.

Procurement & Supplier Management

• Manage supplier relationships, ensuring competitive pricing, quality and service levels.

• Negotiate supplier contracts, pricing agreements and purchasing terms.

• Develop supplier evaluation and performance monitoring processes.

• Identify opportunities to reduce purchasing costs while maintaining operational efficiency.

• Ensure suppliers meet relevant quality, regulatory and commercial requirements.

Inventory Management & Demand Planning

• Oversee inventory management, including stock held across two third-party warehouses.

• Improve stock accuracy, availability and order fulfilment.

• Develop demand forecasting tools to ensure materials are available in line with production and customer requirements.

• Analyse sales data and work closely with commercial teams to forecast short-, medium- and long-term demand.

• Maintain accurate information within the ERP system and ensure data integrity.

Performance Management & Reporting

• Establish and monitor supply chain KPIs, including:

  • On-time, in-full delivery (OTIF).

  • Inventory accuracy and stock turnover.

  • Supplier lead times and performance.

  • Supplier compliance.

• Work towards achieving 99% OTIF delivery performance and inventory accuracy.

• Produce monthly performance reports covering KPIs, purchasing plans and ongoing projects.

• Present supply chain performance, challenges and improvement plans to senior management.

• Identify potential supply chain risks and implement practical solutions.

Operational Improvement & Health & Safety

• Lead operational improvement projects to increase efficiency and strengthen working practices.

• Introduce structured action plans with clear responsibilities and progress monitoring.

• Support the development of a continuous improvement culture.

• Ensure health and safety remains a priority across supply chain activities.

• Apply relevant health and safety knowledge and procedures to maintain a safe working environment.

Skills & Experience

We are looking for an experienced supply chain professional with strong leadership skills and a proven ability to improve procurement and operational performance.

Essential Experience & Skills

• Proven experience managing a supply chain or purchasing function within a manufacturing environment.

• Strong procurement and supplier negotiation experience.

• Experience managing and developing teams.

• Good understanding of inventory management, demand planning and stock control.

• Experience using ERP systems to manage purchasing and inventory information.

• Proven ability to introduce process improvements and lead operational change.

• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to balance cost, quality and service.

• Experience managing supplier performance and contractual agreements.

• Confident communication skills with the ability to work effectively across different departments.

• Strong analytical, organisational and problem-solving skills.

• A relevant health and safety qualification.

Desirable

• CIPS qualification or working towards CIPS.

• IOSH Managing Safely qualification or relevant knowledge.

• Experience managing third-party warehousing operations.

• Experience developing supply chain KPIs and performance reporting.

• Knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies.

Personal Attributes

The successful candidate will be someone who:

• Takes ownership and accountability for their area of responsibility.

• Has a positive, proactive and solutions-focused approach.

• Can lead, motivate and develop a team.

• Communicates clearly and works collaboratively with colleagues at all levels.

• Is commercially minded and confident making decisions.

• Can manage competing priorities while maintaining high standards.

• Looks for opportunities to improve processes and operational performance.