Your role

The Supply Chain Manager is responsible for leading and developing the company's global supply chain strategy to ensure the ongoing resilience, compliance, sustainability, and competitiveness of the business. Operating as a key member of the senior leadership team, the role is accountable for strategic sourcing, supplier performance, supply chain risk management, project purchasing, and supplier quality activities across the organisation.  The role will ensure the business maintains a robust and agile supply chain capable of supporting current operations and future growth while delivering best-in-class cost, quality, delivery, and sustainability performance. The Supply Chain Manager will lead and develop a high-performing team of purchasing and supplier quality professionals, building the organisational capability required to meet evolving business needs and supporting the successful execution of operational and strategic objectives.

Reporting directly to the General Manager, the Supply Chain Manager is responsible for leading and developing the end-to-end supply chain function, ensuring the business maintains a resilient, compliant, cost-effective and sustainable global supply network  The role provides strategic leadership for procurement, supplier quality assurance and project purchasing activities, with accountability for sourcing strategy, supplier performance, risk management and new product introduction support.  Working collaboratively with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Finance and Product Management, the Supply Chain Manager will leverage data, analytics and digital technologies to improve decision-making, identify opportunities, manage risk and enhance business performance. The role will champion the use of AI and advanced analytics within the supply chain function to improve forecasting accuracy, supplier management and strategic planning. It also carries responsibility for developing the capability, skills and organisational structure of the supply chain team, ensuring the function remains aligned to future business requirements and industry best practice.

Your day-to-day

Supply Chain Strategy & Development

• Develop and deliver a robust supply chain strategy aligned to business objectives and growth plans.
• Create and maintain a resilient global supply base capable of supporting operational requirements and future business needs.
• Identify opportunities to improve supply chain performance through supplier consolidation, localisation, dual sourcing and strategic partnerships.
• Monitor global market conditions, supply chain risks and industry trends to ensure proactive decision making.
• Develop and maintain business continuity plans for critical suppliers and materials.

Strategic Procurement & Supplier Management

• Develop and implement sourcing strategies to achieve sustainable cost reductions and value creation.
• Lead commercial negotiations with strategic suppliers and key supply partners.
• Establish long-term supplier agreements that support business objectives and growth requirements.
• Monitor commodity trends, market intelligence, and supply chain developments to proactively manage risk and opportunity.
• Deliver annual cost reduction and value engineering initiatives through supplier collaboration and strategic sourcing activities.
• Ensure robust contract management and supplier governance processes are maintained.

Supplier Quality, Compliance & Sustainability

• Ensure supply chain compliance with applicable regulatory and customer requirements.
• Drive supplier quality improvements and support containment and corrective action activities where required.
• Develop and implement sustainable sourcing strategies that support corporate ESG objectives.
• Promote ethical sourcing and responsible supply chain practices throughout the supply base.

New Product Development & Project Procurement

• Lead and support procurement involvement in new product introduction (NPI) and engineering projects.
• Ensure supplier selection, sourcing strategy and commercial considerations are embedded early in the product development process.
• Develop supplier capability to support future product and technology roadmaps.

Operational Performance

• Drive improvements in key supply chain performance metrics to deliver annual cost reduction targets.
• Maximise the effectiveness of ERP/MRP systems to support improvements in forecasting, purchasing and inventory management.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across supply chain processes

Team Leadership & Development

• Provide clear leadership, direction and coaching to a team of purchasing and supplier quality professionals
• Create a culture focused on accountability, continuous improvement and professional development.
• Build organisational capability in strategic sourcing, negotiation, supplier relationship management and risk management.
• Identify training, mentoring, and development opportunities to strengthen team performance.
• Create a highly engaged and customer-focused supply chain function that supports operational excellence.

Your skills and experience

Professional Requirements

• Degree educated in Supply Chain, Procurement, Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or related discipline.
• MCIPS qualified.
• Extensive experience in a high-mix, high-volume manufacturing, engineering or industrial environment.
• Extensive experience of materials management, logistics and the use of MRP systems to predict, monitor and effectively manage a business
• Proven success leading global sourcing and procurement activities.
• Strong knowledge of supply chain risk management and business continuity planning.
• Experience developing international supplier networks and strategic supplier partnerships.
• Experience leading supplier quality, compliance and supplier development initiatives.
• Proven ability to lead organisational change and continuous improvement programmes.
• Excellent influencing, and stakeholder management skills.

Competencies

• Strong leadership presence and credibility
• Ability to manage complexity and ambiguity
• Data-driven decision making
• Strong financial and commercial acumen.
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Resilience and adaptability in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent leadership and people development skills.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required
• Full UK driving license and willingness for occasional travel

Your compensation and benefits

At Atlas Copco Group, we are committed to fair and equitable compensation. Compensation is determined based on the position and its responsibilities, without regard to gender, race, ethnicity, religion, physical ability, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other protected characteristic. Our compensation offering is designed to be locally relevant, competitive, and aligned with the expectations of current and future talent. Our benefits include:

Financial

Company Pension

Financial Planning sessions

Christmas Savings Club

Employee Mortgage Services
Free Will Writing Service
Death in Service

Walker Thrive Benefits Platform – Employee discounts

Health & Wellbeing

Employee Assistance Programme
Mental Health First Aiders
On-Demand GP Service
Eye Test Vouchers
Annual Flu Jab

Volunteering hours
On-Site Gym (£4 per month)

Thrive with Walker – Wellbeing support

Travel

Free On-Site Parking

EV Car Scheme
Cycle to Work Scheme

Family

Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Support

Work-Life Balance

Flexitime Policy
1pm Friday Finish

Recognition & Development

Long Service Awards

VIP – Value in Practice 
Professional Growth & Development

Your job location

This role requires you to work on-site at our office in Washington, Tyne and Wear UK You will be part of a dynamic team and enjoy the benefits of face-to-face collaboration.

Why it is great to work with us

Your career grows through your skills, your curiosity, and the people you work with. You join a global network where we learn from each other and share knowledge openly. We focus on long‑term development and encourage you to explore new ideas that help us move forward. Innovation is part of how we think and act – we test, improve, and use what we learn to create solutions that matter. You can make a meaningful impact by contributing with your insights and taking ownership of your work, supported by flexible ways of working and leaders who empower you. 

Application process

As part of our recruitment process, we work with a trusted recruitment partner. By applying, you acknowledge that your personal data may be shared with them solely for recruitment purposes.

Our selection process includes interviews and, for some roles, skills assessments that help us gain a deeper understanding of your profile. We look forward to getting to know you, learning about your strengths, and discussing how you can grow with us. For each hiring decision, we also apply the grandparent principle. This means that a leader’s manager is involved in the approval of the hiring decision to ensure consistency and fairness. If you have questions during the process or need support, please contact us:

Contact email: hr@walkerfiltration.com