Head of Supply Chain

Department: Commercial

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Lee-on-the-Solent

Description

• Permanent
• Full Time
• Competitive salary 
• 40 Hours per week / Flexible working
• Bembridge or Lee-on-the-Solent 

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the procurement function, ensuring the timely and cost-effective sourcing of consumables, parts, and services to meet project and operational requirements.
• Task the procurement team with raising Request for Quotes (RFQs) and Purchase Orders (POs) to align with project timelines and business objectives.
• Monitor and maintain regulatory compliance, ensuring that all procurement activities comply with applicable laws and industry standards, including Form 4 responsibilities (if applicable).
• Seek and evaluate alternative supply routes to achieve project deliverables while maintaining adherence to budget and quality standards.
• Track and expedite the progress of component deliveries, ensuring on-time availability of materials.
• Provide regular and actionable reporting to the wider business, highlighting procurement activities, progress, and outcomes.
• Identify and highlight risks, issues, and delays, proactively working with the team to mitigate these challenges before they impact delivery.

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with both new and existing suppliers, continuously evaluating their performance and ensuring effective commercial terms are in place.
• Conduct a comprehensive review of key suppliers, establishing strong connections, and ensuring terms and conditions are competitive and beneficial to the business.
• Identify the top ten key suppliers and focus on complex, high-value procurement projects, interacting directly with these suppliers to ensure project objectives are met.
• Negotiate and renegotiate contracts to enhance supplier performance and ensure the best value for the business.

• Implement and manage an inventory system aimed at ensuring zero stock-outs, particularly for fast-moving or consumable items.
• Monitor stock levels, manage re-ordering, and track inventory to minimize waste, obsolescence, and carrying costs.
• Develop procedures for efficient logistics management, ensuring on-time delivery and optimized inventory flow in the MRO and manufacturing environments.
• Work closely with the production and MRO teams to apply Six Sigma principles to improve line-side distribution processes and reduce operational inefficiencies.
• Manage asset and stock reporting, including the turnover time for inventory, vehicles, property, and the asset register, with recommendations to add value through disposals or reallocations.

• Mentor and coach procurement and logistics teams, fostering an environment that promotes high performance, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Monitor team performance, identify resource and skills gaps, and request training as needed to address developmental needs.
• Lead by example, instilling a commitment to best practices and continuous improvement across the team.

• Liaise with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to provide updates on procurement strategy, risks, and key deliverables.
• Regularly provide project cost reports and updates to Project Managers, Delivery, Business, and Commercial teams to assist in decision-making and budget management.
• Update and contribute to project risk registers, ensuring procurement-related risks are captured, tracked, and mitigated effectively.
• Develop and maintain a departmental risk register, escalating any unmitigated risks to the SLT to ensure they are addressed in a timely manner.

• Collaborate with the technical team to explore and implement innovative sourcing, procurement, and manufacturing strategies, positioning the company for future growth.
• Actively engage with industry innovators, meeting suppliers and other stakeholders to introduce cutting-edge cost-saving solutions and technologies that drive competitiveness.

• Ensure that all import/export activities are compliant with legal and regulatory requirements, including handling the customs clearance of aircraft and components.
• Manage temporary imports of aircraft and parts in the MRO environment, ensuring compliance with customs regulations.
• Ensure all exports are properly documented and meet required regulations.
• Audit business compliance with ITAR regulations, identifying any qualifying items and ensuring their proper management throughout the supply chain.

• Introduce performance metrics for the end-to-end procurement process, from demand receipt to purchase order issuance, goods receipt, booking-in, and project allocation, ensuring effective supply chain management.
• Review and update logistics policies and procedures to ensure efficient cost recovery and budget adherence, including assessing in-sourcing and outsourcing options.
• Collaborate with stores teams to ensure accurate financial reporting and provide support during financial audits.

• Support long-term strategic supply chain initiatives, including performance measurement, supplier relationship building, and improving procurement processes to ensure future scalability and innovation.
• Contribute to improving business agility by identifying and implementing supply chain optimization opportunities across the organization.

• Develop and track project timelines to ensure procurement aligns with production and MRO schedules.
• Identify critical path items and mitigate risks to prevent supply chain delays impacting project deadlines.
• Coordinate cross-functional project planning with procurement, production, logistics, and finance teams.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to supply chain efficiency and project execution.
• Facilitate stakeholder meetings to communicate supply chain updates, risks, and progress on key initiatives.
• Ensure budget adherence by aligning supply chain activities with cost control measures in project planning.
• Implement contingency planning strategies to manage unforeseen supply chain disruptions.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• CILT / CIPS – Level 5 or equivalent 
• Previous experience is a similar role (5 years plus)
• Experience of a manufacturing or heavy maintenance environment
• Experience in an ISO9001:2015 accredited company
• Experience in import/export procedures (HMRC/Customs)
• Ability to become a Nominated Post Holder from the UK CAA
• Experience in handling ITAR equipment
• SME environment
• Strong commercial awareness
• Effective communication and influencing skills up to a senior level
• Full UK driving licence required
• Ability to achieve a UK security clearance

Benefits

• 36 annual leave days (inclusive of Bank and Public Holidays)
• Contributory pension scheme with a salary sacrifice option
• Private healthcare scheme
• Flu vaccination
• Dental and optical cover
• Employee Assistance Program
• Support with learning and professional development (courses and licenses)
• Health screening and therapies
• Digital GP
• Referral bonus