Head of Materials (Manufacturing)

The successful candidate will assume responsibility to create and implement purchasing, supply chain and material control strategies to build a professional and effective commercially focused function. Using best practice principles, they will ensure that both commodity and service purchasing achieves quality, cost and delivery targets in line with sales and operational planning expectations. The role will provide a real opportunity to drive change and increase profitability.

· Take end-to-end supply chain responsibility ensuring the organisation is supported by a robust and contractually compliant supply base. This will including driving initiatives such as vendor managed inventory, effective Supplier Management processes, and cost down programs with the complete sponsorship of the other business functions at all levels.

· Operate as lead negotiator for the organisation across UK, European, and Global supply markets. This will include optimising current pricing structures for parts, and driving for value add material control benefits (JIT, LEAN, KANBAN). This will apply to all organisational spend.

· With the inclusion of operations, sales, and design evaluate current product lines and introduce cost reduction initiatives.

· Propose and implement inventory policies to ensure the required balance between sales/stock value.

· Integrate the purchasing and materials management team into the business ensuring effective cross functional relationships are in place.

· Provide clear direction representing the purchasing and materials function at senior management level contributing and driving wider business strategy in line with core business objectives.

· Monitor and control goods receipt, Quality, Returns and Supplier Rejects to ensure clearance within agreed timescales.

· Monitor and control any variances to standard purchase pricing.

· Generation, maintenance and issue of standard operating procedures to cover all aspects of the Purchasing and Materials functions.

· Develop team capability, highlighting need for additional training and succession planning to future proof the structure