Supply Chain Manager / Supply Chain Head

Butler Rose is delighted to be recruiting on behalf of an innovative business based in Exeter. This is a key hire for a forward-thinking supply chain leader who can balance hands-on detail with strategic direction - strengthening supplier relationships, optimising performance, and ensuring the supply chain is fit to support continued growth.

The Role

Reporting into the senior team, you'll take ownership of end-to-end supply chain activity, working with suppliers across the UK and internationally, and driving improvements across procurement, planning, inventory, and logistics.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading procurement and supplier management, including contract negotiation, supplier performance reviews, and ensuring quality/service standards are met.
• Developing and delivering supply chain strategy to improve efficiency, reduce cost, and enhance operational performance, supported by robust demand forecasting.
• Managing purchasing for both components and finished parts, ensuring supply aligns to demand plans and business requirements.
• Producing meaningful analysis and reporting, tracking KPIs such as lead times, OTIF (on-time in-full) delivery, inventory turnover, and driving corrective actions where needed.
• Partnering cross-functionally to support revenue growth and wider operational objectives.
• Owning inventory and warehouse management, including demand planning and stock optimisation.
• Overseeing logistics and distribution to ensure smooth flow of goods and strong service levels.
• Leading and developing the supply chain team, creating a high-performance, collaborative culture.

About You

You'll be a proactive, commercially minded supply chain professional, comfortable shaping strategy, but equally confident rolling up your sleeves and getting into the detail when required. You'll enjoy working in a growth environment and will take pride in building a supply chain function that matches the quality and performance of the products it supports.

Essential skills and experience:

• Strong planning capability, underpinned by data analysis and clear decision-making.
• Able to work accurately under pressure, prioritising effectively as demands change.
• Strategic thinking with the ability to evaluate systems and improve processes.
• Confident relationship manager with strong communication and active listening skills.
• A structured, solutions-focused approach to complex problem-solving.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative mindset.
• Solid understanding of supply chain risk management and the ability to respond to disruption and market change.

Desirable (but not essential):

• CIPS membership (or working towards).
• Lean / Six Sigma / CI methodology experience to improve performance, reduce waste, and enhance margins.
• Capacity planning exposure, ideally within a production/manufacturing environment.

What's on Offer

• A pivotal role within a progressive, product-led manufacturer on an exciting growth journey.
• Salary up to £55,000 + benefits package
• Opportunity to make a visible impact across the business by shaping strategy and delivering measurable improvements.

Apply / Next Steps

If you're an experienced supply chain leader looking for a role where you can drive change, lead a team, and influence performance across suppliers, inventory, and operations please get in touch for a confidential discussion.

Butler Rose is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals. Your application will be handled in line with applicable data protection requirements.

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Butler Rose is committed to equality in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer.
Butler Rose Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.