​Pay:£60,000.00 per year

Candour Talent are currently recruiting for Head of Supply Chain and Manufacturing to join our client's team in Blackwood.

• Location: Blackwood

• Employment Type: Permanent/Full Time

• Working Hours: Monday to Friday

• Salary: £60k + Excellent benefits

Our client is looking for a driven and commercially minded Supply Chain Specialist with a Food Manufacturing background to lead the company’s supply chain strategy and its execution across a multi-site production facility. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in optimising the supply chain processes and, as a senior member of the team, will take responsibility for procurement, planning, logistics, inventory, and production operations.

This is a hands-on role leadership role, which requires someone with proven success in building resilient, efficient, and scalable supply chains. You will ensure that products are delivered on time, to the highest quality, and most cost-effectively.

The Role:

• Supply Chain Leadership: Develop and execute a supply chain strategy that supports business growth, improves service levels, and drives cost efficiency across procurement, planning, and logistics.

• Procurement & Supplier Management: Lead sourcing and supplier relationships, ensuring quality, reliability, and commercial value. Negotiate contracts and build long-term partnerships with key vendors.

• Planning & Inventory: Oversee demand planning, production scheduling, and inventory control to maintain optimal stock levels and minimise waste. Plan production to make the most efficient use of resources and total adherence to food safety and quality requirements.

• Logistics & Distribution: Manage warehousing and outbound logistics, ensuring timely and accurate delivery to customers and partners.

• Manufacturing Oversight: Provide strategic direction to manufacturing teams, ensuring alignment with supply chain goals and continuous improvement in safety, productivity and quality.

• Systems & Data: Champion the use of ERP and supply chain systems to improve visibility, forecasting, and decision-making. Use data to identify risks, opportunities, and performance gaps.

• Team Development: Build and lead a high-performing operations team. Set clear objectives, coach and mentor managers, and support career development across the function.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Commercial, Finance, Product, and Quality teams to ensure supply chain alignment with broader business priorities.

• Compliance & Risk Management: Ensure full compliance with health, safety, hygiene, and environmental standards. Identify operational risks and implement mitigation strategies.

The Ideal Candidate:

• Previous experience in a similar Supply Chain / Operations role

• Food industry / food manufacturing experience is essential, with Food safety qualification level 3 and above, preferred.

• Degree level qualification or equivalent, preferred.

• Team management, leadership, and development experience (people management qualification, an advantage).

• Experience of plant operations, production processes, continuous improvement methodologies, and quality control procedures.

• Effective problem-solver and confident decision maker.

• Proven success in delivering performance improvements.

• Able to work to deadlines and cost-effectively.

• Set and manage targets and KPIs for the team, individuals, and yourself.