Supply Chain Director

Job Purpose:The Supply Chain Director is a strategic leadership role responsible for developing, transforming and scaling an integrated, commercially effective and operationally resilient supply chain function that supports Independent Food Company's business ambitions, multi-brand operations and continued geographical expansion.The role is accountable for establishing a forward-looking supply chain strategy encompassing strategic procurement, sourcing, supplier management, demand and supply planning, inventory governance, warehousing and logistics oversight, with a strong emphasis on commercial value creation, operational reliability, risk management and sustainable growth.A critical mandate of the role is to build a high-performing, future-ready supply chain department, establishing the appropriate structure, systems, processes, governance and decision-making frameworks needed to support rapid business growth without a corresponding increase in operational complexity or inefficiency.While the position is fundamentally strategic, the successful incumbent must be equally comfortable operating at a tactical level, particularly during periods of business transformation, rapid expansion, operational disruption or capability building.Key Responsibilities1. Supply Chain Strategy & Business GrowthDevelop and execute an integrated supply chain strategy aligned with Independent Food Company’s business objectives, multi-brand operations and regional expansion plans.Assess existing supply chain capabilities, identify structural and operational gaps, and implement a transformation roadmap to support sustainable business growth.Establish scalable supply chain operating models, capacity plans and infrastructure requirements to support new restaurant openings and increasing business complexity.Anticipate market trends, supply risks and evolving business requirements, developing proactive strategies to ensure supply continuity and commercial competitiveness.Drive process optimisation, automation and digital transformation initiatives to improve supply chain efficiency, visibility, productivity and scalability.2. Strategic Procurement, Commercial Excellence & GovernanceLead strategic sourcing, category management and high-value supplier negotiations to optimise total cost of ownership, deliver measurable savings and protect commercial interests.Institutionalise competitive sourcing practices, including RFQs, tenders and e-auctions, supported by market intelligence, supplier benchmarking and transparent evaluation criteria.Develop robust supplier management frameworks covering qualification, performance, contractual compliance, risk mitigation and alternative sourcing arrangements.Establish procurement governance, Delegation of Authority, approval workflows and internal controls that promote accountability, efficiency and ethical decision-making.Partner with Finance to optimise procurement expenditure, supplier payment terms and working capital, ensuring measurable financial value creation and effective contract lifecycle management.3. Demand Planning, Operational Excellence & Business ContinuityEstablish integrated demand forecasting and supply planning processes in collaboration with Operations, Brand teams, Finance and Projects to ensure alignment with business requirements.Develop structured supply readiness plans for new restaurant openings, menu launches and business expansion, ensuring timely availability of approved ingredients, equipment and operational supplies.Establish clear procurement lead times, planning requirements, escalation protocols and cross-functional accountability to minimise last-minute sourcing and operational disruptions.Identify and proactively manage supply chain risks, supplier disruptions, demand fluctuations and operational inefficiencies through effective contingency planning and sustainable corrective actions.Demonstrate hands-on leadership when required, personally driving critical sourcing initiatives, resolving complex operational challenges, establishing missing processes and ensuring timely execution without creating long-term operational dependency.4. Warehouse, Inventory & Logistics ManagementEstablish and oversee effective warehouse, inventory and logistics strategies, operating standards and control frameworks that support business growth, operational efficiency and service reliability.Ensure inventory accuracy, stock visibility and effective inventory controls through structured stock counts, reconciliations, variance investigations and corrective-action processes.Optimise inventory levels, replenishment planning, stockholding costs and warehouse capacity to balance product availability, operational requirements and working-capital efficiency.Oversee logistics and distribution performance, ensuring timely and accurate deliveries, efficient transportation, temperature-controlled handling and compliance with applicable food safety and quality standards.Drive continuous improvement in warehousing and logistics through process standardisation, technology enablement, performance monitoring and the development of capable functional managers with clear accountability for operational results.5. Organisation Building, People Leadership & Stakeholder ManagementDesign and build a future-ready supply chain organisational structure with clearly defined roles, reporting relationships, decision rights and accountability to support business expansion.Recruit, develop and empower a high-performing management team, strengthening technical expertise, leadership capability, succession readiness and operational independence.Establish performance management frameworks, measurable KPIs, operating standards and management routines that drive ownership, productivity, accountability and continuous improvement.Foster a culture of integrity, collaboration, commercial accountability and proactive problem-solving, developing managers capable of independently leading their respective functions.Act as a strategic partner to executive leadership and cross-functional stakeholders, providing commercial insights, operational updates and practical solutions while ensuring alignment between supply chain priorities and business objectives.Qualifications & ExperienceBachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Logistics, Business Administration or a related field. Relevant postgraduate or professional qualifications preferred.Recognised professional qualifications such as CIPS, CSCP, CPIM or equivalent are advantageous.10–15 years of progressive supply chain and procurement experience, including significant leadership responsibility, preferably within multi-site F&B, hospitality or high-volume operations.Demonstrated experience building, restructuring or scaling supply chain functions, including organisational design, team development, process establishment and governance implementation.Proven track record in strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations, cost optimisation, inventory and logistics management, and supply chain transformation.Strong commercial judgement, stakeholder management and problem-solving capabilities, with a demonstrated willingness to work hands-on and drive execution in evolving, fast-paced business environments.