Supply Chain Manager

Supply Chain Manager
Ipswich
Salary £60,000 - £65,000

Are you an experienced Supply Chain Leader ready to take full ownership of an end-to-end function within a growing, fast-moving manufacturing business? If you thrive on building strategy, improving processes, and leading high-performing teams — this role offers you the platform to make a real commercial impact.

I’m supporting a well-established UK organisation that is investing heavily in its operations and now seeking a dynamic Supply Chain Manager to shape, lead, and evolve the entire supply chain infrastructure. This is a senior appointment with visibility across the business and genuine scope to influence long-term direction.

Why this role stands out……..
You’ll be the central link between Purchasing, Sales, Logistics, Operations, and external global suppliers — designing and delivering a strategy that keeps the business agile, resilient, and competitive.

You’ll be empowered to:

• Build and refine a forward-thinking Supply Chain strategy
• Strengthen supplier relationships and negotiate robust SLAs
• Lead demand forecasting, inventory optimisation, and S&OP
• Improve systems, processes, and KPIs across the full supply chain
• Drive continuous improvement, reliability of supply, and operational efficiency
• Shape, mentor, and grow a dedicated supply chain team

If you enjoy combining the strategic with the hands-on, this will give you plenty of both.

What you’ll be doing…….

Stakeholder & Supplier Management

• Collaborate closely with global suppliers and internal departments.
• Troubleshoot supply challenges with proactive, solution-led thinking.
• Build strong relationships that support both service levels and operational goals.

Production, Stock & Forecasting

• Lead inventory management and demand planning across multiple warehouses.
• Oversee third-party contract manufacturing activities.
• Drive an effective S&OP process to balance demand and supply.
• Ensure accurate forecasting and cost-effective stock availability.

Logistics & Compliance

• Act as the central interface between Sales, Purchasing, Logistics and Warehousing.
• Ensure import/export activity is compliant, efficient, and well controlled.

Returns & Continuous Improvement

• Create systems to track returns, identify root causes, and reduce cost exposure.
• Analyse data to uncover process bottlenecks and implement improvements.
• Set, track, and report on meaningful KPIs across the function.

People Leadership

• Lead and develop the Supply Chain team with an empathetic, motivating style.
• Ensure training, succession planning, and performance management are embedded.
• Build a culture of accountability, positivity, and cross-functional collaboration.

Strategy & Business Planning

• Develop a long-term supply chain strategy aligned with commercial goals.
• Collaborate across the business to create a cohesive, integrated supply approach.
• Manage related company projects from concept to completion.

What we’re looking for

• Proven senior level experience within supply chain leadership
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and organisational abilities
• Excellent communication and the confidence to influence at all levels
• Experience managing multi-site inventory, supplier relationships and S&OP
• Solid knowledge of ERP systems and import/export regulations
• A strategic mindset combined with a hands-on operational approach
• Lean / Six Sigma or continuous improvement experience (highly advantageous)
• Degree or equivalent experience in Supply Chain, Operations or related discipline

The ideal candidate
You’ll be someone who builds trust quickly, leads with emotional intelligence, and has the drive to challenge the status quo. You’ll relish being the person who brings clarity, resilience and structure to a complex supply environment — and your commercial awareness means your decisions always connect to the bigger business picture.