Supply Chain Manager

Supply Chain Manager – Global Sourcing & Procurement

Location:

Ashford, Kent (Hybrid – 1 day WFH)
Salary: £45,000 per annum

Hours:

Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm

Contract:

Full-time, Permanent

Diamond Search Recruitment is recruiting on behalf of our client for an experienced Supply Chain Manager to join their growing manufacturing business in Ashford, Kent.

Are you a commercially minded procurement professional with a passion for global sourcing, supplier development and securing the best possible deals?

This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of sourcing and supplier relationships within a growing manufacturing business.

Working closely with the Head of Supply Chain, you will play a key role in identifying new international suppliers, negotiating competitive pricing, developing supplier relationships and ensuring materials are sourced efficiently to support both large-scale manufacturing and new product development.

This is a hands-on position offering genuine autonomy, responsibility and the opportunity to make a measurable commercial impact.

The Role

You will take ownership of sourcing ingredients, excipients and packaging materials, ensuring the business has access to a competitive, reliable and diverse global supplier network.

Your responsibilities will include:

* Identifying, researching and developing new international suppliers.

* Managing the end-to-end supplier sourcing and onboarding process.

* Negotiating pricing, contracts, minimum order quantities and commercial terms.

* Sourcing ingredients and packaging materials for large-scale manufacturing requirements.

* Regularly benchmarking supplier pricing and identifying cost-saving opportunities.

* Building and maintaining strong relationships with suppliers worldwide.

* Securing competitive low-volume and sample quantities to support new product development.

* Working closely with production planning to ensure materials are available when required.

* Managing supplier documentation, specifications, certificates of analysis and compliance requirements.

* Monitoring supplier performance, including cost, quality, reliability and lead times.

* Maintaining accurate sourcing, supplier and pricing records.

* Identifying opportunities to improve procurement processes, supplier management and digital systems.

About You

We are looking for a proactive and commercially astute procurement professional who enjoys finding new suppliers, negotiating better deals and building long-term international relationships.

You will be comfortable working independently, managing multiple sourcing projects and taking ownership of improving existing processes.

To be considered, you will have:

* Proven experience in purchasing, procurement or supply chain management.

* Demonstrable experience in global sourcing and identifying, assessing and onboarding international suppliers.

* A strong track record of commercial negotiation and cost reduction.

* Experience sourcing materials for manufacturing environments.

* The ability to manage multiple suppliers, quotations and purchasing requirements simultaneously.

* Strong supplier relationship management and communication skills.

* Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.

* Confidence working autonomously within a growing SME environment.

* Good IT skills and an interest in improving digital processes and systems.

Desirable experience:

* Background in ingredients.

* Experience in contract manufacturing.

* Knowledge of ingredients, excipients and packaging procurement.

* Experience negotiating low-volume, sample or product development purchasing arrangements.

What's on Offer?

£45,000 salary.

Permanent, full-time opportunity.

Hybrid working, with up to one day per week from home.

Monday to Friday working hours, 9:00am–5:00pm.

The…