Supply Chain Lead

To provide the right level of supply chain support across the site's full operating hours, two new Supply Chain Lead roles have been created at Cross Hands. Reporting to the Site Supply Chain Manager, each role will be aligned to either Shift A or Shift B.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced supply chain professional who enjoys working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. The role will focus on production planning, material availability, inventory control and maintaining a reliable flow of stock to support operational and customer requirements.

Working closely with Production, Procurement and Warehouse teams, you'll coordinate production plans, monitor stock and material requirements, and help ensure customer orders are delivered on time. You'll use forecasts and performance data to identify risks, improve stock accuracy, minimise waste and drive continuous improvement across the supply chain.

Hours: 45 Hours per week

Shifts: 

Shift A Operates

Shift B Operates

This is what you'll be doing

As Supply Chain Lead, you'll oversee supplier performance, compliance and operational effectiveness, ensuring the business maintains a reliable, cost-effective and quality-focused supply chain.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Managing relationships with key suppliers, ensuring consistent performance across product quality, service delivery, availability and compliance.
• Leading supplier performance reviews, monitoring KPIs and identifying opportunities to improve service levels, reliability and overall supplier performance.
• Working closely with Procurement, Technical, Quality and Production teams to ensure supplier capabilities and performance meet operational requirements.
• Ensuring supplier assurance activities align with relevant food safety standards and frameworks, including HACCP, VACCP, TACCP and BRCGS.
• Identifying and managing supply chain risks, developing appropriate contingency plans to minimise disruption to production and customer service.
• Working with suppliers and internal stakeholders to improve product availability, lead times, service levels and supply chain efficiency.
• Analysing supplier performance data, identifying trends and presenting reports, recommendations and improvement plans to senior management.
• Leading supplier improvement initiatives, working collaboratively with suppliers to strengthen quality, compliance, efficiency and operational performance.
• Driving continuous improvement across supplier management processes, reporting systems and cross-functional communication.
• Develop and maintain production plans.
• Manage inventory levels, ensuring accuracy, availability and efficient utilisation of warehouse capacity.
• Oversee stock rotation processes to minimise waste.
• Plan and place orders for raw materials and packaging in line with production requirements and demand forecasts.
• Monitor material availability to ensure on-time deliveries and continuity of supply.
• Analyse stock trends and consumption patterns to optimise inventory levels and reduce excess or obsolete stock.
• Collaborate with Production, Procurement and Warehouse teams to ensure efficient material flow and stock accuracy.
• Maintain accurate inventory records and support regular stock counts, audits and reconciliation activities.
• Monitor and track customer orders against forecast, analysing variances and implementing actions to minimise supply and service risks.

The experience you'll bring

• Previous experience in a Supply Chain Manager, Supplier Performance Manager, Supplier Assurance Manager, Procurement Manager or similar position.
• Strong experience within food manufacturing, food production or a regulated FMCG environment.
• Proven experience, monitoring performance and delivering measurable improvements.
• Good understanding of food safety, quality assurance and supplier compliance requirements, including HACCP, VACCP, TACCP and BRCGS standards.
• Experience managing corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong commercial awareness, with experience supporting supplier negotiations, cost reduction and service improvement.
• Ability to identify supply chain risks, resolve operational challenges and develop effective solutions.
• Experience working closely with Procurement, Technical, Quality and Production teams within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong analytical skills, with experience monitoring supplier KPIs, producing reports and presenting recommendations to management.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Highly organised, proactive and confident managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Previous experience supervising, mentoring or developing team members would be advantageous.

And this is what you'll get in return

• Opportunity to join an established food manufacturing business
• Responsibility for developing and improving supplier performance across the supply chain
• Close collaboration with Procurement, Technical, Quality and Production departments
• Opportunity to lead continuous improvement initiatives
• Long-term career development opportunities
• Additional company benefits to be confirmed

Are you interested?

If you're an experienced supply chain professional with a strong background in food manufacturing, supplier management and quality compliance, we'd love to hear from you.

No company sponsorship is available to overseas applicants for this position.