Location: PowerPhotonic, Dalgety Bay, Fife, UK
Contract: 12 Month Fixed-Term Contract
Reporting to: Head of Supply Chain and Planning
About PowerPhotonic
PowerPhotonic is a world-leading photonics company designing and manufacturing advanced optical components and systems for customers operating in defence, biomedical and fusion energy.
As we continue to grow and scale our operations, we are seeking an ambitious and commercially minded Supply Chain Lead to join our Operations team. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Buyer or Senior Buyer looking to take the next step in their career and broaden their responsibilities across procurement, supplier management, stores, logistics, facilities and supply chain performance.
Working within a highly regulated and controlled manufacturing environment, the successful candidate will play a key role in supporting programme delivery, driving supplier performance, improving supply chain resilience and ensuring continuity of supply across the business.
The Role
As Supply Chain Lead, you will be responsible for the end-to-end management of procurement and supply chain activities across the business, including direct materials, indirect spend, facilities suppliers, inventory management, supplier performance and logistics.
This is a hands-on role suited to an individual who thrives in a dynamic manufacturing environment and is comfortable operating across multiple disciplines within the supply chain function.
Key Responsibilities
Procurement & Purchasing
- Manage all day-to-day procurement activities for direct and indirect spend.
- Raise, manage and expedite purchase orders through the ERP/MRP system.
- Ensure timely supply of materials, components, consumables and services to support manufacturing requirements.
- Negotiate pricing, lead times, contracts and commercial agreements.
- Develop sourcing strategies that support business growth and operational requirements.
- Identify and implement supply chain cost reduction initiatives.
- Drive value improvement opportunities across both direct and indirect expenditure.
- Ensure continuity of supply and proactively manage supply chain risks.
Supplier Management
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with strategic suppliers.
- Monitor and report supplier performance against agreed KPIs.
- Lead supplier reviews and performance improvement activities.
- Manage supplier non-conformances and corrective action processes.
- Support supplier qualification, onboarding and development activities.
- Manage supplier change control processes and associated documentation.
- Work with suppliers to improve delivery, quality and cost performance.
- Conduct supplier visits and audits as required.
New Product Introduction (NPI)
- Support Engineering and Operations teams throughout NPI programmes.
- Source new materials, components and suppliers for product development activities.
- Work closely with Engineering teams to ensure supplier capability aligns with technical requirements.
- Support supplier readiness and production ramp-up activities.
- Participate in design reviews and material selection discussions where appropriate.
- Interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications to facilitate sourcing decisions.
Inventory, Stores, Receiving & Dispatch
- Oversee stores activities and inventory control processes.
- Manage goods receipt activities and inventory accuracy.
- Ensure efficient material flow throughout the organisation.
- Support cycle counting and stock management activities.
- Coordinate dispatch processes to ensure on-time customer deliveries.
- Work closely with Production Planning and Manufacturing teams to optimise inventory levels.
Facilities Procurement
- Manage procurement activities relating to facilities, utilities and maintenance services.
- Oversee supplier relationships for facilities contractors and service providers.
- Support sourcing and management of site services and operational contracts.
- Ensure facilities suppliers meet required standards for quality, safety and service.
Supply Chain Performance
- Develop, maintain and report key procurement and supplier performance metrics.
- Produce regular KPI reports covering delivery, quality, cost and inventory performance.
- Drive continuous improvement activities across the supply chain function.
- Support supply chain risk management initiatives.
- Contribute to operational excellence and business improvement projects.
Systems & Process Improvement
- Operate effectively within established ERP and MRP systems.
- Support implementation and optimisation of business systems and processes.
- Contribute to continuous improvement of procurement and supply chain procedures.
- Support data integrity and system compliance activities.
- Ensure procurement activities comply with company policies and quality standards.
Leadership & Collaboration
- Build effective working relationships across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality and Finance.
- Provide coaching and guidance to colleagues where required.
- Support the development of supply chain capability across the organisation.
- Represent PowerPhotonic professionally with suppliers and external stakeholders.
- Attend supplier meetings, industry events and trade shows within the UK and Europe.
Candidate Profile
Essential Experience
- Experience in a Buyer, Senior Buyer or Supply Chain role within a manufacturing environment.
- Proven supplier management and supplier development experience.
- Experience managing supplier non-conformances and corrective actions.
- Experience supporting engineering change control processes.
- Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) activities.
- Strong negotiation and commercial management skills.
- Experience working within ERP and MRP systems.
- Strong analytical and reporting capabilities.
- Experience developing and managing supplier and procurement KPIs.
- Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications.
Desirable Experience
- Experience within photonics, optics, aerospace, defence, electronics, semiconductor or precision engineering industries.
- Experience working within a controlled manufacturing environment.
- Familiarity with UK and US supply chain and procurement practices.
- Experience supporting ERP implementation or system migration projects.
- Knowledge of quality management systems and supplier quality processes.
- CIPS qualification or working towards qualification.
Personal Attributes
- Self-motivated and proactive.
- Commercially aware with strong business acumen.
- Excellent problem-solving skills.
- Organised and detail focused.
- Strong relationship builder.
- Results driven with a continuous improvement mindset.
- Comfortable working across multiple operational disciplines.
- Ambitious and ready to take on broader responsibility.
Why Join PowerPhotonic?
- Opportunity to make a visible impact in a growing technology business.
- Exposure to all aspects of procurement and supply chain management.
- Work alongside market-leading engineers and technical specialists.
- Influence supply chain strategy and business performance.
- Professional development opportunities.
- Collaborative and supportive working environment.
This is a full-time position.
All applicants must already hold the legal right to work in the UK.
Job Types: Permanent, Full-time
Work Location: In person
