Procurement Heads are looking to recruit a Supply Chain Manager for a growing SME manufacturing business in Wimborne.
Reporting into the COO, you will have full ownership of procurement, materials planning, and supplier development activities across the UK operation, with direct line management of one Supply Chain Coordinator.
The role combines operational delivery with strategic development, ensuring continuity of supply while improving process maturity, supplier performance, and cost efficiency.
With an annual spend of c.£10m and a global supplier base (including Europe and Asia), there is a significant opportunity to optimise cost, improve lead times, and strengthen supplier relationships.
Leading a small team this role will work cross‑functionally with design, production, and sales to ensure materials availability, support new product introduction, and enable efficient delivery to customers
This role suits someone who is comfortable operating hands‑on while driving change, as this financially secure organisation continues to grow.
Duties of the Supply Chain Manager - Own and develop the end‑to‑end supply chain strategy, aligned to business growth objectives
- Manage procurement, materials planning, and supplier development across the operation
- Implement structured supplier management, including segmentation, performance reviews, and benchmarking
- Introduce dual‑sourcing strategies to reduce risk and improve cost competitiveness
- Identify and deliver cost optimisation opportunities across direct spend and logistics
- Strengthen global sourcing capability, particularly across European and Far East suppliers
- Lead supplier audits, quality reviews, and compliance activity
- Rationalise and manage logistics and freight operations to improve efficiency and control costs
- Develop and implement robust procurement processes, systems, and workflows
- Lead S&OP activity and support creation of a master production schedule
- Collaborate with design and NPI teams to source new materials, components, and suppliers
- Manage and develop direct reports, driving performance and adapting ways of working
- Drive continuous improvement across supply chain operations and processes
- Build stronger supplier relationships through proactive engagement and performance management
Ideal Candidate for the Supply Chain Manager role You will be well suited to this role if you bring:
- Proven experience in a supply chain or procurement leadership role within manufacturing or engineering
- Strong knowledge of procurement, materials planning, and supplier development
- Experience implementing structure and process improvements within less mature environments
- Demonstrable success in supplier management, cost optimisation, and performance improvement
- Experience with international sourcing and global supply chains
- Understanding of MRP/ERP systems (Sage knowledge beneficial)
- Experience managing teams and driving performance in line with business objectives
- Strong commercial acumen and ability to balance cost, quality, and delivery
- Confidence influencing stakeholders and leading change across established teams
- A hands‑on, delivery‑focused mindset with a continuous improvement approach
Benefits - Salary c.£50,000–£55,000
- Hybrid working (typically 3 days on-site/ with suppliers, 2 wfh)
- High‑visibility role with direct exposure to senior leadership
- Opportunity to shape and modernise a supply chain function end‑to‑end
- Stable, growing business with strong order book and PE backing
- Broad, impactful role combining strategy, operations, and transformation