Supply Chain Development Manager

Bilston, West Midlands
Gleeson Recruitment Group

The Supply Chain Development Manager is responsible for ensuring that all supply chain partners are fully approved prior to contract engagement and remain compliant with quality standards, regulatory obligations, and health, safety, environmental, and customer-specific requirements. This includes leading supplier audits, overseeing compliance monitoring, and managing corrective actions, including resolution of non-conformances.

The role focuses on enhancing supplier performance, building strategic partnerships, and ensuring a resilient, high-performing supply chain. The manager will lead supplier development, qualification, and performance management efforts to meet key requirements in quality, cost, delivery, and innovation.

Key Responsibilities:

Supplier Development & Performance Management:

• Evaluate, qualify, and onboard suppliers through audits, assessments, and capability reviews.
• Ensure supplier compliance with ISO, IATF, AS, or other relevant industry standards and regulations.
• Foster strong supplier relationships to achieve core/preferred status within commodity areas.
• Develop underperforming suppliers through SMART objectives and performance tracking.
• Lead corrective/preventive actions using root cause methodologies.
• Define and report on supplier KPIs (e.g., PPM, OTD, responsiveness).
• Drive continuous improvement using Lean, Six Sigma, APQP, and other tools.
• Act as escalation point for supplier performance issues.
• Manage supplier scorecards and quality/delivery metrics.
• Track defect rates, nonconformance, and warranty claims.
• Conduct risk analysis and identify improvement opportunities during supplier reviews.
• Deliver supplier training on quality systems and best practices.
• Maintain audit records and follow-up documentation.
• Support supply chain strategy development with Project Buyers.
• Participate in supplier selection and qualification with audit input.
• Research and identify suppliers based on capability, HSEQ, value, and financial stability.
• Develop commodity strategies for cost-effective sourcing.
• Attend industry events to network and strengthen supplier relationships.
• Maintain regular communication with strategic suppliers to support long-term collaboration.
• Organize supplier events and deliver strategy presentations.
• Ensure proper execution of NDAs, MOUs, and Exclusivity Agreements.
• Confirm supplier capability to meet specifications and delivery requirements.
• Monitor supplier financial health using tools like Experian.
• Administer and manage the Supplier Portal, serving as the main super user.

Requirements:

Essential:

• Minimum 7 years’ experience in senior procurement, supplier development, or quality within aerospace, oil & gas or nuclear sectors.
• MCIPS accreditation.
• Degree in Engineering, Sciences, or Manufacturing, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Familiarity with NEC contracts and statutory T&Cs.
• In-depth knowledge of manufacturing, inspection, and quality systems (ISO 9001, EN 3834, EN1090).
• Certified QMS ISO 9001 & OHSAS 18001 Auditor.
• Proficient in APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC.

• Experience with:

  • Graded Approach to Quality.

  • Nuclear Safety Culture.

  • Heat treatment, coatings, material traceability.

  • Supplier QA/QC product verification.

  • Non-conformance management and RCA tools (5 Why, Fishbone, Pareto, etc.).

• Strategic sourcing and risk management.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Knowledge of structural steel fabrication, material certification, and release processes.
• Ability to influence and collaborate across teams.
• Technically competent, systematic, and solutions-oriented.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally.
• Proficient in MS Office and general IT systems.
• Eligible for security clearance to at least SC level.

Person Specification:

• Customer-focused with a strong stakeholder management approach.
• Team-oriented with a collaborative mindset.
• Results-driven and solutions-focused.
• Effective team builder.
• Adaptable and responsive to change.
• Professional, with integrity and accountability.
• Performance-oriented with clear objective setting.
• Globally aware and culturally adaptable.
• Committed to ongoing personal and team development.

At Gleeson Recruitment Group, we embrace inclusivity and welcome applicants of all backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. We are proud to be a disability confident employer.

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