Supply Chain Manager

Description

Supply Chain Manager

Location: London, minimum 2 days onsite preferred

Type: Permanent

Sector: Defence / Aerospace / UAV

Overview

We are supporting a growing defence engineering business in the unmanned systems sector that is looking to strengthen its supply chain capability as part of a wider scale-up in product delivery and manufacturing readiness. They are seeking a Supply Chain Manager to manage supplier relationships, support sourcing strategy, and drive commercial engagement across a supplier base focused on components and metallic parts. This is a key role for someone who can combine supplier relationship management, commercial awareness, contracts understanding, and client-facing capability in a growing, delivery-driven business.

Role Purpose

The successful candidate will take ownership of supplier relationships and help build a more robust and scalable supply chain capable of supporting a growing engineering and manufacturing operation. The focus will be on ensuring suppliers can deliver the required quality, cost, and lead-time performance, while also supporting the business in commercial and contractual discussions.

Key Responsibilities

Manage relationships with suppliers providing components, metallic parts, and other key manufacturing inputsDevelop and maintain a supply chain capable of supporting growth in engineering and production activityWork with suppliers to improve delivery performance, responsiveness, quality, and costSupport commercial and contractual discussions with suppliersContribute to sourcing strategy and supplier selectionAct as a key interface between the business and external suppliersWork closely with engineering, manufacturing, and programme teams to ensure supplier capability aligns with delivery needsIdentify supply chain risks and develop mitigation plansHelp build a more structured supply chain model to support business growth and manufacturing scale-upMaintain strong client and stakeholder relationships where supply chain performance has a direct impact on programme deliveryWhat you will need

Experience in supply chain, supplier management, procurement, or commercial roles within engineering, aerospace, defence, or manufacturing environmentsStrong experience managing supplier relationships for components and metallic partsCommercially aware, with understanding of contracts, supplier negotiations, and delivery riskAble to operate confidently with both suppliers and internal stakeholdersStrong communication and relationship management skillsExperience in a scaling or fast-paced engineering/manufacturing environmentGood understanding of how supply chain performance affects programme delivery and client outcomesDesirable

Aerospace, defence, UAV, or advanced manufacturing backgroundExperience in building or maturing a supply chain functionExposure to complex engineering products and lower-volume to scaling production environmentsUnderstanding of quality and compliance expectations in regulated sectorsSummary

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who can help build and manage the supplier ecosystem needed to support a growing unmanned systems business, with a particular focus on components, metallic parts, commercial control, and supplier relationship management.

Ad ID: 5418443484