Supply Chain Manager

Novelus Ltd; Middlewich; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading firm in the UK is searching for a Supply Chain Manager to enhance their operations in Middlewich. The role focuses on developing supplier relations, managing procurement activities, and ensuring compliance with health and safety standards. With responsibilities ranging from strategic planning to continuous improvement initiatives, this position is pivotal in driving operational efficiency and quality across the supply chain.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 5 years experience in purchasing and supply chain role in engineering.
• A minimum of 5 years experience in H&S Management.
• A minimum of 5 years experience in management of Quality systems ISO9001.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain supplier relationships to improve service and profitability.
• Oversee purchasing and stock/WIP management activities.
• Ensure compliance with quality and health & safety standards.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Negotiation

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Continuous improvement

Change management

Communication

Education

Supply Chain qualifications

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

As a market leader in their field in the UK, our client are looking for a Supply Chain Manager to join their Middlewich, Cheshire team of experts.

The purpose of this role is to Develop systems and supplier relations, to enable the company to Source or Manufacture products on time in full, to the required quality standard, in a safe manner and within budget in a fully scalable framework.

Accountabilities:

• OTIF performance
• GP%
• Variance on budget
• H&S risk mitigation
• Accuracy of stock recording

Areas of Responsibility

• Supply Chain relationship, agreements, performance
• Purchasing
• Production
• Quality
• Compliance
• H&S

Reports

• Purchasing Administrator
• Production Manager

Duties

Supply Chain

• Manage supplier relationships by meeting regularly with key suppliers to review performance, quality, pricing, and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop and maintain database of supplier prices working closely with the commercial team to ensure these are reflected in pricing.
• Set up and maintain standard supply agreements that set out pricing structures for products and provide protection of IP where necessary
• Write and deliver reports to suppliers who have supplied defective goods and discuss/document counter measures.
• Develop and maintain a method of managing routine Supplier and Sub-contractor audits, documenting these and following up on any resulting actions and non-conformities.
• Search and appoint new suppliers that can improve service and profitability.
• Report any significant price increases (i.e. out with RPI) to the Management team and build a plan with the team s support on how to mitigate impact on company profit.

Purchasing

• Ensure all purchasing/procurement activities are done in a timely manner, (for all project and production related purchases)
• Implement an escalation process for approvals based on purchase value.

Stock / WIP Management

• Oversee stock and WIP control systems, ensuring the production team maintains accurate labelling, safe storage, and reliable stock take procedures.
• Ensure forward planning for material availability, particularly for imported and long lead-time items, through coordination with project and production teams.

Planning

• Support the Production Manager to ensure production workload is carefully prioritised through collaboration of production, procurement and project managers, in accordance with customer requirements.
• Forecasting department workload to make decisions and act on varying resource levels

Continuous improvement

Set up a routine mtg with key members in your team to review attributable NCR s (Non-Conformances i.e CARFS), agree problem solving responsibilities and report back on progress.

With team involvement, perform root cause analysis on problems and ensure clear actions are communicated and followed up

Team Leadership

Creating clear areas of responsibility within the team and coaching team members in line with personal development goals and plans

Record all interactions on HR issues and escalate these to the Directors as necessary.

Foster a positive and supporting working environment that instils motivation, accountability and high standards of work and provides development opportunities.

Develop and maintain a culture of empowerment and responsibility in line with their values.

Coordinate holiday requests so as not to impact on company or department output.

Monitor attendance levels and sickness for trends and compliance and hold return to work interviews as necessary.

Support the team in the discipline of time tracking to improve accuracy and knowledge of work content times.

Compliance & Quality

Develop and maintain processes to ensure that production s quality responsibilities, as outlined in the company s quality plan, are carried out and reviewed on a 6-monthly basis.

Goods-in Develop and maintain processes ensure that goods are checked for quality and compliance on receipt and booked in the same day.

Health & Safety

Develop and maintain process to ensure that production s health and safety responsibilities, as outlined in the company s quality plan, are carried out and monitored daily.

Conduct risk assessments on non-standard processes as required.

Ensure health and safety training (TBT) is carried out regularly.

Oversee training, competency validation, and machine maintenance systems, ensuring all processes meet audit and safety standards.

Strategic

To provide effective contribution to the senior leadership team in line with company values and goals, including, setting business objectives, creating the right cultural environment and delivering positive results

Capture product development opportunities, from the team, in line with their focus on proprietary products

Put forward Business Cases for investment in both plant and labour to meet department requirements as relevant.

Investigate ways to improve GP per COGS hour in the department.

Core Competencies

Strong stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence internal and external partners.

Proactive, hands-on leadership style with the ability to coach, develop, and empower high-performing teams.

Strategic thinker with strong analytical skills and a commercial mindset.

Proven ability to lead and embed continuous improvement initiatives, including Lean methodologies.

Skilled in managing change, driving accountability, and delivering right first time outcomes.

Effective at planning, prioritising, and problem-solving under pressure, using structured time and task management.

High proficiency in stock management and ERP systems, with an eye for detail and process discipline.

Strong communicator, fostering a culture of ownership, safety, and operational excellence.

Resilient, decisive, and solutions-focused with the ability to tackle issues head-on and move forward quickly.

Willing and able to travel regularly across the UK, including occasional overnight stays.

Qualifications & Experience

Supply Chain qualifications

A minimum of 5 years experience in purchasing and supply chain role in engineering

A minimum of 5 years experience in H&S Management

A minimum of 5 years experience in management of Quality systems ISO9001 (min).

ISO14001 (desired)

A minimum of 5 years experience within a fast paced manufacturing environment.

Summary

This is a key leadership role at the heart of our clients operations, offering the chance to shape and scale a robust, efficient, and quality-driven supply chain. You ll work cross-functionally to drive improvements, develop people, and help deliver outstanding service to their customers.