Sourcing and Supply Chain Lead /FMCG

About the role

An exciting opportunity exists for an experienced Sourcing & Supply Chain Lead to take ownership of a broad and increasingly sophisticated supply function within a growing food business.

Operating across meal kits and ready-to-heat products, the business manages a complex supply environment characterised by frequent product changes, short freshness windows, demand variability and a portfolio of more than 500 ingredient and packaging SKUs. This role will lead the supply function outside of production operations, with responsibility spanning sourcing and procurement, supplier management, supply planning, systems and analytics, inventory management and 3PL performance.

Key responsibilities

• Own sourcing strategy across ingredients, packaging and ready-to-heat products, including identifying and selecting suppliers, onboarding and approvals, commercial negotiations, contract management and ongoing supplier performance

• Drive COGS improvement through should-cost analysis, renegotiation and value engineering, while ensuring appropriate quality, compliance and traceability standards are maintained

• Build supply resilience by identifying opportunities for dual sourcing across critical products and developing stronger long-term supplier partnerships

• Lead forecasting and supply planning within a complex environment where menus, SKUs and demand requirements change frequently

• Establish disciplined weekly planning cycles, monitor demand signals and work closely with production planning to ensure supply requirements are understood and acted upon

• Manage substitutions and shortages, establish appropriate inventory targets and balance availability against stock holding, wastage and excess or obsolete inventory

• Take ownership of supply-related ERP configuration, master data governance and MRP processes within Microsoft Business Central

• Ensure underlying supply data is accurate and useful, oversee MRP runs and exception management, and develop reporting that enables better commercial and operational decision-making

• Manage the relationship with the external logistics provider, establishing clear performance expectations and driving continuous improvement including monitoring DIFOT/OTIF, delivery exceptions, damages, freight costs and SLA performance

• Lead a small team across sourcing and planning, providing clear direction while building capability, accountability and stronger operating disciplines

About you

• Proven sourcing and supply chain leadership experience within FMCG, food or retail

• Strong sourcing, procurement and supplier relationship management capability

• Demonstrated experience delivering COGS improvements, commercial negotiations and supplier performance outcomes

• Experience managing sourcing across complex, multi-SKU portfolios

• Strong supply planning and forecasting experience in environments with demand variability and product churn

• Experience managing inventory, availability, substitutions, wastage and excess stock

• Strong ERP and MRP capability, with Microsoft Business Central experience highly regarded

• Confidence working with supply data, reporting and analytics

• Experience managing external logistics or 3PL partners and service performance

• Strong negotiation, commercial and stakeholder management skills