Job Description:

Supply Chain Manager – Job Specification

Overview

As Supply Chain Manager at Raytec, you will lead the supply chain function and the purchasing team within it, owning supply chain strategy, supplier partnerships, and the resilience of supply from raw materials through to finished components.

Day-to-day sourcing sits with the purchasing team. Your focus is direction, strategic supplier relationships, risk, and building the capability of the function.

You will ensure materials and components are sourced in the right quantities, at the right time, and at the right cost, while maintaining high quality standards and optimising inventory and storage.

You will further develop an established, high-performing team, driving continuous improvement, resilience, and alignment with business objectives.

Purpose of the Role

Lead the supply chain function and the purchasing team within it, owning supply chain strategy and the resilience of supply from raw materials through to finished components.

Treat suppliers as part of the Raytec ecosystem, drawing on their strengths and expertise to improve quality, reliability and product development.

Lead strategic supplier relationships and major negotiations, building long-term partnerships that deliver value, innovation and resilience.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the purchasing team, setting sourcing strategy and standards while holding the Purchasing Manager accountable for day-to-day procurement.
• Identify, assess, manage, and mitigate supply chain risks that could disrupt production or customer delivery.
• Develop and implement supply chain strategies that maximise customer satisfaction while minimising total cost and maintaining quality.
• Collaborate cross-functionally (Sales, Operations, Engineering, and Finance) to support accurate demand forecasting and capacity planning.
• Treat suppliers as part of the Raytec ecosystem: understand each supplier’s strengths and weaknesses, and draw on their expertise to improve quality, reliability, and innovation.
• Lead strategic supplier relationships and major negotiations, building long-term partnerships that deliver value, innovation, and resilience.
• Identify, evaluate, and onboard new suppliers, leading supplier selection against quality, cost, capability, and resilience criteria to strengthen the Raytec supply base.
• Partner with the Quality Manager to improve supplier quality, performance, and compliance.
• Lead and develop the supply chain team, embedding best practices and measuring performance through agreed KPIs, and ensuring adherence to safety, operational, and company guidelines.
• Monitor and optimise inventory levels to ensure appropriate stock rotation while maximising working capital efficiency.
• Support engineering changes, product line extensions, and new product introductions, ensuring supply chain readiness and on-time implementation.
• Develop, implement, and maintain supply chain policies and processes to improve efficiency, resilience, and scalability.

Reporting Structure

Reporting to: Operations Manager

Direct Reports: Purchasing Manager with two buyers reporting through them

Location

This role is based at our head office in Ashington, Northumberland

Essential Requirements

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a Supply Chain Management role within a manufacturing environment.
• Foundation degree or higher national diploma equivalent (e.g. CIPS Level 5).
• Strong end-to-end understanding of supply chain and procurement processes.
• Proven problem-solving skills with the ability to analyse supply chain performance and implement improvements.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, changing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills, with experience managing senior supplier relationships.
• Proven experience in team leadership, development, and performance management.
• Good working knowledge of ERP systems (ideally SAP Business One).
• Full UK driving licence.
• Willingness and availability to travel as required.

Benefits

Raytec offer a generous salary and benefits package to our employees, these include:

Attractive Bonus Scheme

Health care scheme

Company Stakeholder Pension

The Raytec Employee Club (TREC) which hosts regular social events, sports activities and parties

25 days holiday, up to 30 with long service, plus bank holidays

Mon - Thu 830-5, Fri 830-2 - Early finish on a Friday !

Free coffee, tea, filtered water and fruit

Free onsite monthly catering

Long service incentives and rewards

Cycle to work scheme

Closed between Christmas and New Year (taken from annual holiday entitlement)

Personal Specification

Raytec pride ourselves on our core values and expect our employees to do the same:

Expertise: We strive to be experts in our field. We use our knowledge and experience to deliver outstanding products and customer service.

Initiative: We’re not content with standing still. We push boundaries and improve how we do things on a daily basis.

Integrity: We’re honest, approachable, and open to change. We set high standards and take pride in the work we do.

About Raytec

Founded in 2005, Raytec are world leaders in LED lighting for safety and security. We have over half a million products actively in service and employ over 100 staff. We have two offices located in Northumberland, UK, and Ottawa, Canada and sell to over 70 countries worldwide.

All our products are manufactured in-house and have been installed in some of the most challenging environments on planet earth from the Arctic Circle to the Jungles of Borneo. Raytec are a global business that operates without leaving a footprint on our planet.