Supply Chain Lead
- Lead the supply chain function for one of Northern Ireland's best known food and drink producers
- Hybrid working based in Belfast
- Salary of £45,000 to £55,000 depending on experience
- Own end to end planning across a complex, fast moving FMCG operation
- Genuine scope to shape process, drive efficiency and influence senior decisions
About the Company
Our client is a long established, market leading dairy and food producer based in Northern Ireland. They turn locally sourced milk into a broad range of branded and own label products that reach supermarket shelves across the UK, Ireland and beyond. With a substantial farmer supplier base, multiple production sites and a reputation built over decades, they combine the scale of a major manufacturer with a strong sense of local roots and community.
The Role
This is a senior, hands on role owning supply chain planning and performance across a high volume, perishable goods operation. You will sit at the centre of demand planning, production scheduling, inventory and logistics, working closely with commercial, manufacturing and procurement teams to keep product flowing reliably and cost effectively. It suits someone who enjoys both the detail of day to day planning and the bigger picture of process improvement, and who can bring calm, clear leadership to a fast paced environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead end to end supply chain planning across demand, production scheduling, inventory and distribution
- Own forecasting accuracy and drive close alignment between commercial demand and production capacity
- Manage inventory levels to balance service, freshness and waste across a perishable product range
- Optimise logistics and distribution to meet retailer service level commitments
- Partner with manufacturing and procurement to remove bottlenecks and improve flow
- Build and develop a high performing planning team
- Drive continuous improvement across processes, systems and reporting
- Report on supply chain KPIs and present recommendations to senior leadership
What You'll Need
Essential:
- 5+ years of supply chain or planning experience, ideally within FMCG, food or manufacturing
- Proven track record in demand planning, production scheduling and inventory management
- Strong commercial awareness and the ability to balance cost, service and quality
- Confident leading teams and influencing across functions
- Right to work in the UK
Desirable / Nice to Have:
- Experience with perishable or short shelf life goods
- Familiarity with ERP and advanced planning systems
- Recognised supply chain qualification such as APICS or CIPS
Why Apply?
- Salary of £45,000 to £55,000 depending on experience
- Hybrid working based in Belfast
- Competitive annual leave allowance plus pension and staff benefits
- A genuinely influential role with visibility to senior leadership
- The scale and stability of a market leader with a strong local identity
- Real autonomy to shape how the supply chain function operates
Next Steps
If this sounds like the right move, get in touch with Luke Davidson at Ocho People. Connect on LinkedIn or email your CV for a confidential conversation.