Supply Chain Team Leader

Chess Dynamics; Horsham; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid / flexible working arrangements

28 days annual leave

Group pension plan

Wellbeing initiatives

Gym membership discounts

Job summary

Chess Dynamics in Horsham, United Kingdom, seeks a Supply Chain Team Leader to lead a Buyers team and drive the supply chain strategy across IPTs. You will translate strategy into SMART objectives, push for cost, quality, and delivery improvements, and foster strong supplier relationships to sustain supply and programme delivery.

The role requires proven leadership in procurement within manufacturing or engineering, with data-driven decision making and a focus on continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading procurement or supply chain teams.
• Experience delivering supplier performance improvements.
• Strong understanding of SP strategy, inventory management & working capital.
• Ability to manage cross-functional IPTs and governance.

Responsibilities

• Lead & develop a team of Buyers to deliver the Supply Chain vision, strategy, policies, processes, & procedures, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Translate the Supply Chain strategy into clear, measurable SMART objectives, driving individual & team accountability for achieving functional & business KPIs.
• Deliver improvements in supplier performance across cost, quality, delivery, & working capital, supporting operational excellence & business growth.
• Build & maintain effective supplier & cross-functional relationships to ensure continuity of supply, resolve issues, & support programme delivery.
• Proactively identify, manage, & mitigate supply chain risks, escalating issues where appropriate & implementing effective recovery plans.
• Resolve day‑time operational issues using a quality-focused, data‑driven approach, communicating impacts, risks, & resolution plans to key stakeholders in a timely manner.
• Provide effective leadership, coaching, mentoring, & development to direct reports, fostering a high‑performing, engaged team focused on continuous improvement & value creation.
• Manage individual & team performance through regular objective setting, performance reviews, feedback, & development planning, addressing performance issues where required.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance supply chain efficiency, resilience, compliance, & overall business performance.
• Ensure all procurement & supply chain activities are conducted in accordance with company policies, governance requirements, regulatory standards, & ethical sourcing practices.
• Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, & continuous improvement across the Supply Chain function & Integrated Portfolio Teams (IPTs). KPIs
• Annual cost savings achieved
• Supplier on‑time delivery performance
• Supplier quality metrics
• Contract compliance
• Supply continuity & risk mitigation
• Supplier performance & continuous improvement
• Inventory optimization

Skills

Leadership

Strategic sourcing

Supplier performance

Stakeholder management

Data-driven decision making

ERP systems

Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in supply chain or related field

Tools

SAP

ERP systems

Job description

• Holiday purchasing scheme

Working collaboratively with Suppliers, Operations, Engineering, Quality, Finance, & Programme Management, the Supply Chain Team Leader operates within a matrix environment, providing leadership & coordination across Integrated Portfolio Teams (IPTs). The Supply Chain Team Leader will be responsible for executing the supply chain strategy & delivering supplier performance to support business objectives & achieve key operational & financial KPIs

Key Responsibilities

• Lead & develop a team of Buyers to deliver the Supply Chain vision, strategy, policies, processes, & procedures, ensuring alignment with business objectives.


• Translate the Supply Chain strategy into clear, measurable SMART objectives, driving individual & team accountability for achieving functional & business KPIs.


• Deliver improvements in supplier performance across cost, quality, delivery, & working capital, supporting operational excellence & business growth.


• Build & maintain effective supplier & cross-functional relationships to ensure continuity of supply, resolve issues, & support programme delivery.


• Proactively identify, manage, & mitigate supply chain risks, escalating issues where appropriate & implementing effective recovery plans.


• Resolve day‑time operational issues using a quality-focused, data‑driven approach, communicating impacts, risks, & resolution plans to key stakeholders in a timely manner.


• Provide effective leadership, coaching, mentoring, & development to direct reports, fostering a high‑performing, engaged team focused on continuous improvement & value creation.


• Manage individual & team performance through regular objective setting, performance reviews, feedback, & development planning, addressing performance issues where required.


• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance supply chain efficiency, resilience, compliance, & overall business performance.


• Ensure all procurement & supply chain activities are conducted in accordance with company policies, governance requirements, regulatory standards, & ethical sourcing practices.


• Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, & continuous improvement across the Supply Chain function & Integrated Portfolio Teams (IPTs). KPIs


• Annual cost savings achieved


• Supplier on‑time delivery performance


• Supplier quality metrics


• Contract compliance


• Supply continuity & risk mitigation


• Supplier performance & continuous improvement


• Inventory optimization

Skills & Experience Essential

• Experience: Proven experience in a supply chain, procurement, or purchasing leadership role within a manufacturing or engineering environment.


• Leadership: Demonstrated experience leading, coaching & developing high‑performing teams.


• Business & Financial Acumen: Strong understanding of supply chain management principles, including supplier performance management, strategic sourcing, inventory management & working capital optimisation.


• Supplier Relationship Management: Experience of managing supplier relationships and driving improvements in quality, cost, delivery, and service.


• Communication & Influencing Skills: Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence & collaborate effectively across cross‑functional teams at all organisational levels.


• Results Orientated: Experience of prioritising & managing competing demands, delivering results through KPIs & continuous improvement initiatives.


• Problem‑solving: Highly analytical, with a data‑driven approach to problem‑solving, decision‑making, & performance improvement.


• Continuous Improvement: A proactive, customer‑focused approach with a commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence.


• Analytical Capability: Proficient in ERP systems & Microsoft Excel for procurement analysis, reporting, & supplier performance management.

Desirable

• Professional certification such as CIPS or a relatable degree


• Experience in manufacturing, defence, or industrial sectors.


• Experience with supplier risk management & sustainability initiatives.


• Experience of working within integrated project management teams


• CIPS Level 4 or above Personal Attributes


• Demonstrates our company values of Teamwork, Integrity, Excellence & Courage.


• A team player able to liaise & work collaboratively cross functionally.


• Excellent communication, interpersonal & written skills.


• Organized, with a high attention to detail.


• Proactive, able to plan, organise, execute, & monitor performance across the supply chain, driving for results.


• Resilient, agile, & adaptable to changing priorities. Able to operate under pressure, multitask & deliver to exacting timescales

Work Life Balance

• 37.5 hour working week


• Lunchtime finishes on a Friday


• Hybrid / flexible working arrangements


• 28 days annual leave


• Christmas closure


• Holiday purchasing scheme

Benefits:

• Group pension plan – matched contributions up to 5%


• Income protection scheme & Employee Assistance Programme


• Employee Assistance Programme gives you & your family access to 4 key services including remote GP service, second opinion, mental health pathway service & physiotherapy consultations


• Life assurance policy, including bereavement counselling & probate helpline


• Company shares incentive plan & save as you earn scheme


• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme


• Wellbeing initiatives, including access to wellbeing app & the addition of mental health support for all employees. Plus, regular activities across our sites to support & promote wellbeing


• Regular sports & social activities


• Gym membership discounts


• Reward platform (high street discounts, employee benefits, health, & wellbeing offerings).


• Recruitment referral bonus scheme


• Excellent learning & development opportunities


• Great working environment with free, onsite car parking across all our locations

Security Clearance Requirements

Due to the nature of our business, our staff need to be able to obtain UK Security Clearance as a mandated requirement. Therefore, if successful, you will need to provide proof of identity, employment history & right to work in the UK, along with proof of UK residency for at least five years.