Supply Chain Manager

Supply Chain Manager

Location: Salisbury

8.00am – 4.30pm Monday – Friday

Competitive Salary + Benefits

My client is a growing, innovative food business specialising in high-quality portioned

products for retail, foodservice and B2B markets. With a commitment to operational excellence, sustainable sourcing, and exceptional customer service, the company is expanding its supply chain capability to support continued growth.

Role Overview

The Supply Chain Manager will take ownership of end-to-end supply chain operations, ensuring the efficient planning, procurement, production scheduling, inventory control, logistics and customer fulfilment for the business. This role is both strategic and hands-on, ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced SME environment and wants to build scalable supply chain processes.

Key Responsibilities

1. Supply & Demand Planning

• Lead demand forecasting in partnership with sales and operations teams.

• Develop supply plans that align with production capacity and customer requirements.

• Monitor demand fluctuations and adjust plans accordingly to minimise stockouts or

overstocking.

2. Procurement & Supplier Management

• Manage the purchasing of raw materials, packaging, and services.

• Negotiate pricing, contracts, MOQs, and lead times with suppliers.

• Build and maintain supplier performance metrics, ensuring compliance with quality,

sustainability and service standards.

3. Production Planning

• Create and maintain an efficient production schedule aligned with order book, forecast, and inventory levels.

• Work closely with manufacturing to optimise run efficiencies and minimise downtime.

• Ensure accurate BOMs, product availability, and alignment with NPD/innovation timelines.

4. Inventory Management

• Oversee inventory levels across raw materials, WIP and finished goods.

• Implement stock control methods (e.g., safety stocks, min/max systems).

• Reduce waste, obsolescence, and working capital tied up in stock.

5. Logistics & Distribution

• Manage relationships with 3PLs, hauliers, and distribution partners.

• Ensure cost-effective and reliable outbound deliveries.

• Resolve logistics issues quickly to maintain service levels.

6. Continuous Improvement & Systems

• Lead supply chain process improvements across forecasting, planning, procurement and logistics.

• Implement or optimise ERP/MRP systems as appropriate.

• Introduce KPIs and data-driven decision-making tools.

7. Cross-Functional Leadership

• Collaborate closely with Sales, Finance, Operations and Quality.

• Support the development of new products by ensuring supply chain readiness.

• Represent the supply chain function in senior meetings and strategic planning.

Key Skills & Experience

Essential

• Proven experience in supply chain management within FMCG, food manufacturing, or

similar.

• Strong understanding of forecasting, production planning, and procurement.

• Experience managing suppliers and negotiating contracts.

• Ability to work effectively in an SME environment (hands-on, adaptable, fast-paced).

• Strong numerical and analytical skills.

• Proficient with ERP/MRP systems and Excel.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.

Desirable

• Experience within chilled, ambient, nuts/snacks, or portioned product categories.

• Knowledge of food compliance, audits, and quality standards (e.g., BRCGS).

• Experience implementing new systems or processes.

• CIPS qualification or supply chain-related degree.

Personal Attributes

• Proactive, solutions-focused problem solver.

• Highly organised with strong attention to detail.

• Commercially aware with the ability to balance cost, service and operational efficiency.

• Confident communicator who can challenge and influence.

• Enjoys building processes in a growing business.