Supply Chain Manager

Based from our commerical furniture suppliers office in Essex. This role combines team leadership across procurement, freight forwarding, and end-to-end project execution within the contract furniture sector. The Logistics & Supply Chain Manager will orchestrate the seamless movement of goods—from sourcing materials and managing global shipments from China to delivering furniture to the warehouse in Brentwood, while ensuring every client project runs on time, on budget, and to specification.
The ideal candidate brings operational excellence, vendor negotiation skills, logistical precision, and project coordination expertise to a design-forward, deadline-driven environment.
Key responsibilities
Procurement Management

• Source and procure raw materials, furniture components, and finished goods globally
  
• Negotiate and manage supplier agreements to optimize value and quality
  
• Oversee procurement budgets and forecasting in collaboration with design and project teams
  
• Conduct supplier audits and monitor compliance with sustainability and quality standards
  Freight Forwarding & Logistics Coordination
  
• Manage international freight and 3PL relationships (air, sea, and ground)
  
• Coordinate import/export schedules, customs documentation, and regulatory compliance
  
• Track real-time shipment status and provide updates to internal stakeholders
  
• Optimize freight strategies to balance speed, cost, and reliability
  Project Management
  
• Identify and select suppliers based on the project requirements
  
• Negotiate terms, prices, and delivery dates with suppliers
  
• Processing accurate quotations and costs for furniture proposals.
  
• Review tenders and specifications and produce quotations and orders
  
• Prepare and manage procurement budget in accordance to specification from the ASM
  
• Co-ordinate production dates with suppliers in accordance to project timeline to ensure timely delivery
  
• Coordinate with Logistics provider as to when deliveries will be collected and delivered ensuring various projects are consolidated at all times
  
• Ensure adherence to procurement policies, procedures and use systems effectively
  
• Resolve warranty claims, grievances, and claims against suppliers
  
• Review, compare, analyse, and approve products and services to be purchased whilst managing and maintaining relationship with suppliers
  
• Prepare reports on procurement and usage of goods for project management
  
• Coordinate with sales, logistics, and delivery teams to ensure projects are delivered on time and in full
  
• Maintain procurement data accuracy within ERP systems, including item master details, supplier lead times, MOQ, and certification
  
• Evaluate and manage suppliers based on part-level performance metrics: defect rates, delivery accuracy, cost stability, and compliance with sustainability and regulatory requirements
  
• Develop contingency sourcing strategies for critical-path components to mitigate risk of delays or disruptions
  
• Ensure transparent communication between component suppliers and freight forwarders to align shipping requirements and avoid production bottlenecks
  Supply Chain Optimisation & Reporting
  
• Monitor supply chain KPIs (lead time, freight cost, delivery accuracy, etc.)
  
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives to streamline workflows and reduce errors
  
• Collaborate with finance and operations teams for budget alignment and cost controls
  
• Maintain ERP data integrity and use analytics to support planning decisions
  Qualifications
  Project Management certification (e.g., PRINCE2, PMP) is a strong plus
  Minimum 5 years’ experience in supply chain/logistics/project management, preferably in contract furniture, interiors, or manufacturing
  Experience
  
• Deep understanding of procurement strategy and international freight forwarding
  
• Proficiency in project management and supply chain tools (e.g., Sage, Zoho
  Should you be interested in the role please send your CV and will will send you the full spec