Supply Chain Specialist

We are currently looking for a… Supply Chain Specialist

A little about us…

With over a century of engineering expertise and innovation, KNDS UK (formerly WFEL Limited) is a renowned world leader in rapidly deployable military bridging systems and a key partner in the UK MoD’s Boxer armoured vehicle programme.

We are proud of our heritage and our reputation of providing the highest quality engineering solutions for over 100 years. As a trusted partner to military customers around the world, our employees are the very heart of our company. We have a skilled and experienced workforce dedicated to achieving excellence in all areas of the business from Engineering to Project Management, Business Support to Operations.

As our business evolves, we are looking to strengthen our workforce with talented and motivated individuals across a range of disciplines to work from our Northwest Engineering Centre of Excellence and currently have this opportunity available:

About the role… 

The core responsibility of this role is to manage the external processing supply chain for both our bridges and Boxer projects, Communicating with designated International suppliers on a daily basis to maintain required inventory levels to support right first time build. 

Key duties include, but are not limited to:

• Communicate with designated suppliers on a daily basis in order to expedite material in to support right first time build and hold out unnecessary material to control inventory levels.

• Run & take necessary action re due & overdue report contacting suppliers.

• Manage all external processing suppliers, liaising with production to ensure parts are shipped out on time and arrive back in line with demand requirements.

• Communicate and work closely with suppliers to manage and stock risks and monitor lead times and volumes ensuring minimal disruption to production

• Work closely with other departments (i.e engineering, projects, quality, production) to ensure zero obsolescence

• Work closely with the supplier quality team to close out / return any non-conformant products in a timely manner.

• Co-ordination for effective non-conformance management controls

• Including return to vendor process (and associated licenses and export documentation management)

• To ensure material deliveries are scheduled in line with current material requirements and review with the procurement department.

• To participate, where required in daily / weekly production meetings and report issues / progress.

• To ensure the on-time delivery of materials, goods, and services, in accordance with the Purchase Order requirements to meet project schedule.

• Raise Purchase orders in line with MRP requirements 

What we’re looking for… 

• Minimum of grade C in English and Maths at GCSE or equivalent 

• Educated to degree level or equivalent (HND) in Logistics or manufacturing-based discipline

• Good experience and understanding of SAP

• Knowledge and practical experience of problem-solving techniques

• Practical implementation of lean principles within a production control environment

• Experience in a fast paced manufacturing environment 

• Experience of using data systems and being able to learn and adapt systems to assist in continuous improvement 

• SAP experience 

• Excellent IT skills and knowledge of MS programmes particularly Microsoft Excel Intermediate level, ability to manipulate spreadsheets.

• Desirable to be a German Speaker

What you can expect from us…

We signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2018 and achieved their Silver Award in 2020 which means that we actively support and encourage service leavers, reservists and cadets to join our team, recognising military skills and qualifications in our recruitment and selection process. 

When you become part of the KNDS UK team, you will enjoy employee benefits such as:

• Competitive salary

• Attractive pension (4% employee contribution, 7% employer contribution)

• Flexible working

• Half day Friday

• Life assurance scheme

• Company sick pay scheme which increases with service

• Free unreserved car parking

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, please apply by clicking the link at the top of the page or email your CV with a cover letter to careers@knds.co.uk. 

We look forward to receiving your application!

Please note that we have a Preferred Supplier List in place and we will contact agencies directly should the need arise, however any unsolicited CVs received via an agency will be accepted with thanks but without fee.