Head of Supply Chain Operations

Job Title: Head of Supply Chain Operations

Location: Govan or Scotstoun; Glasgow. We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role.

Salary: Circa £100,000 plus executive benefits

Who we are: 

Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future, for all of us.

From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space, there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.

Job Description:

The Head of Supply Chain Operations is a senior leadership role, responsible for the end-to-end operational Supply Chain strategy and integration, across a complex manufacturing environment.

Responsible for Warehousing, Logistics, Inventory Management and Supply Chain Demand Planning and Management, ensuring the optimised flow of raw materials and components to support Programme delivery.

This role is also responsible for raw materials and service contracts strategy, alongside governance of Shared Services Procurement.

With a focus on strategic thinking, operational delivery experience and transformation skills, you will drive operational requirements, in an effective and efficient manner.

Operating at a senior level, you will influence across the enterprise, leading large, multidisciplinary teams and partnering with senior stakeholders to deliver integrated, efficient, and resilient Supply Chain operations aligned to long-term business objectives.

Core duties:

• Define and deliver the Supply Chain operations strategy, driving optimisation across Warehousing, Logistics, Inventory and Supply Chain Demand Management
• Champion the highest standards of Health & Safety and ensure compliance with regulatory, customer and internal requirements across all operations
• Lead the end-to-end flow of materials, with strategic control of raw materials availability and supply demand alignment
• Own and evolve Warehouse and Logistics capability, ensuring scalable, safe, compliant and efficient operations, and optimising network footprint and capacity through effective capacity planning and scenario modelling
• Establish and embed robust Supply Chain demand management practices, improving forecast accuracy and alignment with integrated business planning (IBP) and production requirements
• Drive continuous improvement and best practice adoption, leveraging internal and external networks to optimise processes and reduce cost
• Oversee transport, distribution and third-party logistics providers, ensuring governance, compliance, performance and value delivery
• Develop and lead strategic performance and financial frameworks, including KPIs across cost, delivery, quality and service, with accountability for budget management and cost optimisation across Supply Chain operations
• Identify and manage Supply Chain risks, implementing proactive mitigation and resilience strategies to ensure continuity of supply
• Lead and develop a high-performing, multidisciplinary team, while acting as a key senior stakeholder across operations, procurement, programmes and executive leadership

Essential Skills:

• End-to-end Supply Chain operations leadership within complex defence, manufacturing or engineering environments
• Experience managing warehouse operations, logistics, inventory management and Supply Chain demand planning at scale
• Experience in Logistics, transport and distribution management, including oversight of third-party logistics (3PL) providers and partner performance
• Proven track record of delivering operational performance improvement and strategic transformation, driving optimisation across cost, service and efficiency
• Experience using ERP and/or WMS systems (e.g. SAP, Oracle) to enable data-driven Supply Chain decision making.
• Financial and commercial acumen, including budget ownership, cost optimisation and working capital management
• Senior stakeholder engagement and influencing skills across operations and the wider business

The Procurement Team:

You will be part of the wider Supply Chain function, reporting into the GCS Supply Chain Director and working alongside senior leaders across procurement, planning and programme supply chain.

You will be responsible for a multidisciplinary team covering Warehousing, Logistics, Materials and Supply Chain Demand Management and Transport. This includes five direct reports, with the scope of the team expected to evolve, alongside oversight of a broader group of operational, professional and contractor staff, as well as third-party logistics providers.

You will work closely with Manufacturing, Operations and Programme teams to ensure alignment and enabling effective delivery across the end-to-end Supply Chain. This is an exciting opportunity, contributing to complex, high-profile work that has real-world impact – offering the opportunity to lead at scale within a globally recognised organisation.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive:

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 17th July 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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