About NextStep

NextStep connects top consulting talent with high-potential opportunities through smart, AI-powered matching. We partner with ambitious companies across sectors to place experienced professionals in roles where they can have a real impact. On behalf of a client in our partner network, we are currently looking for a Supply Chain Strategy Manager to join their team.

About the Company

Our client is a FTSE 250 manufacturing and distribution business headquartered in London, producing speciality industrial components for customers across automotive, aerospace, and energy sectors globally. With manufacturing sites across the UK, Germany, and Southeast Asia and revenues of £800m, the business is undertaking a strategic review of its supply chain network in response to geopolitical risk, nearshoring trends, and the demands of its net-zero roadmap. The Group Operations Director is building a small in-house Strategy team to lead this work.

The Role

As Supply Chain Strategy Manager, you will lead strategic projects that shape how the business designs, sources, and operates its supply chain over the next 5–10 years. You will blend analytical modelling with deep operational insight - identifying vulnerabilities, designing future-state scenarios, and building the business case for network investment. This is a highly visible role that will work directly with the COO, CPO, and regional supply chain leaders.

What You'll Do

• Lead supply chain network design projects, analysing the current footprint, modelling alternative configurations, and recommending changes that reduce cost, risk, and lead times.
• Develop the business's supply chain resilience framework, mapping single-source dependencies, geopolitical exposures, and critical inventory buffers across the supplier network.
• Support the group's nearshoring and reshoring assessment, building business cases for site investment or supplier qualification in new geographies.
• Collaborate with Procurement, Logistics, and Manufacturing leads to translate strategic recommendations into operational roadmaps.
• Track global supply chain trends, including regulatory developments, commodity markets, and sustainability requirements, and brief senior leaders on strategic implications.

What We're Looking For

• 5–8 years of experience in supply chain strategy, operations consulting, or a strategic planning role within a manufacturing, industrial, or distribution business.
• Strong analytical skills, experienced with supply chain network modelling, scenario analysis, and total cost-to-serve frameworks.
• Comfortable navigating complexity, able to synthesise inputs from multiple functions and geographies into a coherent strategic view.
• Excellent communication skills; able to present technical supply chain analysis to non-specialist senior leaders.
• APICS CSCP, CIPS, or equivalent supply chain qualification is an advantage.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary of £70,000 – £90,000, depending on experience.
• Annual performance bonus.
• Private health cover, pension, and 26 days holiday.
• Hybrid working from London with occasional travel to manufacturing sites and supplier locations.

How to Apply

To be considered for this role, please create your profile at getnextstep.com. Once your profile is complete, our matching system will evaluate your background against the role criteria and match you with the company if it's a strong fit. No cover letter required.

This role is listed by NextStep on behalf of our client. All applications are handled with confidentiality.