Supply Chain Consultant

Experienced Supply Chain/Purchasing Consultant required for long-term contract assignment with a leading manufacturer of specialist vehicles and machinery.

Our client is a leading developer and manufacture of specialist off-highway products used across a broad range of industries.

A busy schedule of new products being developed, manufactured and distributed to a world-wide customer base has brought about the need for an additional Purchasing/Supply Chain professional.

Supply Chain Consultant Role:

To support the supply chain team in supplier selection and pricing negotiations on a fast-moving New Product project.

Manage supplier performance from quote to delivery ensuring that planning, materials control, procurement and inventory management activities are implemented in a safe, high quality, cost effective and timely manner and in accordance with company objectives.

To provide guidance on purchasing strategy across a range of commodities.

Supply Chain Consultant Responsibilities:

The main purpose of the role is to ensure the reliable and efficient supply of quality systems, machines, and spare parts and services that are used in the manufacture of and/or supplied by the company to clients.
• Cost saving and supply chain lead time reduction initiatives.
• Reporting Supply Chain status and progress to the Senior Leadership Team on a weekly and monthly basis.
• Define and manage stock profile to support short lead time manufacturing of standard products and spares.
• Develop planning and purchasing strategies to allow key suppliers to better support the business.
• Negotiate commercial terms.
• Drive improvements in supplier performance.
• Work pro-actively to achieve project cost-savings in the supply chain. This includes developing relationships with existing and new suppliers considering engineering input where specific sources or specifications are requested.
• Issuing RFQs for high value project items and supplier negotiation.
• Investigate material shortages to identify route cause and take corrective action.
• Establish and maintain purchasing practices and policies to ensure honest, fair, and ethical relationships with suppliers.
• Keep informed on legal matters that affect purchasing policies.
• Develop the supplier base to ensure high quality, on-time, efficient supply of parts and services.

To manage and support the following activities:
• Raise POs for the supply of parts and services.
• Raise assembly works orders and drawing packs.
• Raise sub-con’ works orders and POs as required for sub-contract work.
• Manage the sub-contractor supply chain.
• Track production schedules, investigating any shortages advised in assembly and implementing both short term and longer-term corrective actions.
• Manage inventory levels against current value and availability targets.
• Stores, Goods Inwards and shipping activities and supervision of the annual physical inventory. This includes the investigation of any significant reconciliation errors.
• Detailed stock analysis including obsolete stock management and disposal.
• Review stock and material spend as a monthly, quarterly, yearly figure and look at the bigger picture with a view to making improvements and cost savings.
• Review incoming spares enquiries and orders for manufactured spare parts against material availability and provide promised delivery dates.
• Liaise with engineering to ensure all spares on order are uniquely defined and have a correct BOM in place on the business system.
• Undertake appropriate 'Ad Hoc’ internal projects as may be occasionally assigned to you.

Supply Chain Consultant Requirements:

A credible Supply Chain professional with a proven track-record of success.

Minimum 7 years relevant experience in a purchasing role.

Ideally CIPS qualified at Diploma level or equivalent or qualified by relevant experience.

A strong very well organised individual.

Knowledge and experience of the engineering sector – automotive or off-highway vehicle background would be preferred.

Familiar with manufacturing environments and procedures and conversant with the working principles of database style ERP systems and their use in an engineering/manufacturing business.

Knowledge of Microsoft Business Central 365 would be very advantageous.

Proven team leadership.

A strong, open communicator at all levels, both within the business and with suppliers.

UK and International travel will be required for this role.

Potential for Hybrid working when appropriate and role is deemed Outside scope of IR35.

Applications:

Applications are welcomed from Candidates who possess the relevant skills and experience as detailed in the job description.

Recent Graduates who do not have the required level of skills and experience need not apply.

Candidates must be eligible to work in the UK before making an application and it is the responsibility of the applicant to provide evidence of such eligibility