Supply Chain Manager

Supply Chain Manager - Maternity Cover, minimum 9 months

Bedwas, Caerphilly
Salary negotiable for the right person
ASAP Start

Yolk Recruitment is working with an established and highly successful manufacturing and distribution business to recruit an experienced Supply Chain Manager for a 9-month minimum maternity cover contract.

This is a key leadership position with responsibility for the end-to-end supply chain operation, including Procurement, inventory management, demand forecasting, supplier performance and inbound logistics. Working within a business that sources products and materials globally and supplies customers across a broad and varied product portfolio, you will ensure the organisation maintains the right stock, at the right levels, while balancing customer demand, availability, cost and working capital.

You will lead and develop the Procurement team, build strong relationships with global suppliers and work closely with Sales, Marketing and Operations to improve forecasting, identify future demand and ensure stock availability supports both day-to-day operations and major commercial opportunities.

The business needs somebody who can join as soon as possible, quickly understand the existing supply chain and provide confident leadership and continuity throughout the contract.

Supply Chain Manager Responsibilities:

Lead, coach and support the Procurement team, allocating workload and maintaining strong team performance.
Manage the end-to-end supply chain strategy, continually identifying opportunities to improve processes, performance and efficiency.
Build and maintain strong relationships with UK and international suppliers, ensuring reliable supply, quality and service.
Develop and execute supplier negotiation strategies, securing competitive pricing and favourable commercial terms.
Analyse historical sales, demand patterns, forecasts and market trends to support effective purchasing and inventory decisions.
Work closely with Sales and Marketing to develop and continually refine inventory forecasts in response to changing customer demand.
Establish and maintain appropriate safety stock levels and product mixes, ensuring availability while minimising excess inventory.
Take ownership of inventory levels and value, identifying overstock and understock risks and implementing corrective actions.
Support New Product Introduction (NPI) and core product lines, ensuring appropriate forecasting, purchasing and stock availability.
Partner with Sales, Marketing and Operations to ensure stock and supply plans support major customer requirements and commercial opportunities.
Monitor supplier and supply chain performance, identifying potential risks and implementing appropriate contingency or corrective actions.
Manage relationships and performance across shipping agents, freight forwarders and hauliers, ensuring inbound goods are received accurately and within required timescales.
Identify and deliver cost-saving opportunities across procurement, freight, inventory and the wider supply chain.
Develop and monitor relevant supply chain KPIs, using data to identify trends, risks and opportunities for improvement.
Promote strong communication across Procurement, Sales, Marketing and Operations, ensuring teams remain aligned on forecasts, stock requirements and priorities.
Drive continuous improvement across supply chain processes, systems and ways of working.

The Experience You'll Bring:

Previous experience within a Supply Chain Manager, Procurement Manager, Purchasing Manager or similar senior supply chain position.
Strong experience within a manufacturing, distribution, logistics or product-based environment.
Experience leading and developing a Procurement or Purchasing team.
Strong supplier management and negotiation experience, ideally working with international suppliers.
Good understanding of demand planning, forecasting, inventory management and safety stock.
Experience managing stock levels and balancing product availability against inventory value and working capital.
Strong commercial awareness with experience identifying cost-saving and process improvement opportunities.
Understanding of international freight, shipping and inbound logistics would be highly advantageous.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret sales, inventory and forecasting data to make informed decisions.
Confident working cross-functionally with departments including Sales, Marketing and Operations.
Able to quickly understand an established operation and confidently take ownership within an interim environment.
Highly organised, resilient and comfortable managing multiple priorities within a fast-paced business.

Benefits:

Minimum 9-month fixed-term contract, covering maternity leave
25 days annual leave + Bank Holidays
Up to 4 additional days for Christmas shutdown
Option to purchase an additional 3 days' annual leave
Company profit-sharing scheme based on business performance
Salary sacrifice pension scheme
Employee Assistance Programme
Access to digital GP…