Supply Chain Manager

Key Recruitment Limited; Salisbury; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Key Recruitment Limited is seeking a Supply Chain Manager in Salisbury to own end-to-end planning, procurement, and logistics for a growing food business.

In this role you will lead demand planning, optimise production schedules, manage supplier relationships and drive continuous improvement within a fast-paced SME environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in supply chain management in FMCG, food manufacturing or similar.
• Strong forecasting, production planning and procurement knowledge.
• Experience managing suppliers and negotiating contracts.
• Hands-on SME environment experience and fast-paced work style.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills.
• Proficient with ERP/MRP systems and Excel.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end supply chain planning for the business.
• Own demand forecasting with sales and ops teams.
• Manage procurement of raw materials, packaging and services.
• Create production schedules aligned with orders and inventory.
• Oversee inventory across RM, WIP and finished goods.
• Coordinate with 3PLs and distribution partners.
• Drive continuous improvement and data-driven decisions.

Skills

Supply chain management

Forecasting

Procurement

Hands-on SME

Analytical skills

ERP/MRP proficiency

Stakeholder management

Job description

Supply Chain Manager

Location: Salisbury

8.00am – 4.30pm Monday – Friday

Competitive Salary + Benefits

My client is a growing, innovative food business specialising in high-quality portioned products for retail, foodservice and B2B markets. With a commitment to operational excellence, sustainable sourcing, and exceptional customer service, the company is expanding its supply chain capability to support continued growth.

Role Overview

The Supply Chain Manager will take ownership of end-to-end supply chain operations, ensuring the efficient planning, procurement, production scheduling, inventory control, logistics and customer fulfilment for the business. This role is both strategic and hands‑on, ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced SME environment and wants to build scalable supply chain processes.

Key Responsibilities

1. Supply & Demand Planning

• Lead demand forecasting in partnership with sales and operations teams.
• Develop supply plans that align with production capacity and customer requirements.
• Monitor demand fluctuations and adjust plans accordingly to minimise stockouts or overstocking.

2. Procurement & Supplier Management

• Manage the purchasing of raw materials, packaging, and services.
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, MOQs, and lead times with suppliers.
• Build and maintain supplier performance metrics, ensuring compliance with quality, sustainability and service standards.

3. Production Planning

• Create and maintain an efficient production schedule aligned with order book, forecast, and inventory levels.
• Work closely with manufacturing to optimise run efficiencies and minimise downtime.
• Ensure accurate BOMs, product availability, and alignment with NPD/innovation timelines.

4. Inventory Management

• Oversee inventory levels across raw materials, WIP and finished goods.
• Implement stock control methods (e.g., safety stocks, min/max systems).
• Reduce waste, obsolescence, and working capital tied up in stock.

5. Logistics & Distribution

• Manage relationships with 3PLs, hauliers, and distribution partners.
• Ensure cost-effective and reliable outbound deliveries.
• Resolve logistics issues quickly to maintain service levels.

6. Continuous Improvement & Systems

• Lead supply chain process improvements across forecasting, planning, procurement and logistics.
• Implement or optimise ERP/MRP systems as appropriate.
• Introduce KPIs and data-driven decision-making tools.

7. Cross-Functional Leadership

• Collaborate closely with Sales, Finance, Operations and Quality.
• Support the development of new products by ensuring supply chain readiness.
• Represent the supply chain function in senior meetings and strategic planning.

Key Skills & Experience

Essential

• Proven experience in supply chain management within FMCG, food manufacturing, or similar.
• Strong understanding of forecasting, production planning, and procurement.
• Experience managing suppliers and negotiating contracts.
• Ability to work effectively in an SME environment (hands‑on, adaptable, fast-paced).
• Strong numerical and analytical skills.
• Proficient with ERP/MRP systems and Excel.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.

Desirable

• Experience within chilled, ambient, nuts/snacks, or portioned product categories.
• Knowledge of food compliance, audits, and quality standards (e.g., BRCGS).
• Experience implementing new systems or processes.
• CIPS qualification or supply chain-related degree.

Personal Attributes

• Proactive, solutions-focused problem solver.
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail.
• Commercially aware with the ability to balance cost, service and operational efficiency.
• Confident communicator who can challenge and influence.
• Enjoys building processes in a growing business.