Supply chain and procurement have risen in prominence as a result of recent global events such as COVID-19, Brexit, and geopolitical developments. As supply chains become more complex and volatile, they require more specialised talent to ensure efficiency, reduce costs, and respond to global challenges. 

For many organisations, however, recruiting into these roles is becoming more challenging. Supply chain volatility, rising costs, skills shortages, operational change and increasing pressure on margins mean that senior leaders need people who can do more than just fulfil a job description. They need individuals who can solve problems, lead teams, improve processes and make sound decisions in demanding environments.

At Stephenson Stappard, we help businesses identify, approach and appoint high-calibre people for senior, specialist and business-critical roles across supply chain, procurement and operations. Our work is particularly valuable where a role is difficult to fill, where our client wants the rigour of a professional, objective search, where previous advertising has not delivered, or where the strongest candidates are already performing well elsewhere.


Your Strategic Recruitment Partner
At Stephenson Stappard, we specialise in all elements of the end-to-end supply chain. This incorporates the entire process of producing and delivering a product or service, starting from the sourcing of materials and services to the final delivery to the customer. It includes:

Procurement
Planning (including demand planning, supply planning, materials planning, and S&OP and IBP)
Manufacturing / Production
Warehousing, logistics, distribution and fulfilment

We support and advise you by identifying, attracting, and hiring skilled professionals to manage and optimise various aspects of the supply chain, from procurement, IBP/S&OP, production operations, demand and supply planning, and logistics to inventory management and distribution.

We also have significant expertise and interest in the more technical disciplines across production and engineering, including leadership roles in engineering, projects, quality, and health & safety.

Our Tailored Approach 
We are a partner-led professional search consultancy, which means you work directly with experienced search professionals, or headhunters, who understand the realities of recruiting into operational and industrial environments. We take time to understand your business, your structure, your culture and the specific challenges behind the appointment, whether that is growth, succession, transformation, performance improvement, or the need to bring in new capability.

Our approach is search-led, discreet and thorough. We map the market, identify relevant talent across local, national and, where appropriate, international networks, and approach potential candidates with care and credibility.

We also look beyond the obvious, recognising transferable skills, leadership potential and the difference the right person could make in your specific setting. We know that effective recruitment in supply chain and procurement involves not only technical skills but also strong problem-solving, communication, leadership, and adaptability to rapidly changing market conditions. 

Built on Relationships
We understand the cost of a poor appointment: lost time, stalled projects, operational pressure and disruption for senior teams. Our role is to manage the process with diligence and judgement, giving you the confidence that the search is being handled properly from the outset.

If you are struggling to recruit into a senior supply chain, procurement, manufacturing, operations or engineering role, we would be pleased to discuss how Stephenson Stappard can help you find the right person to move the business forward.