Head of Supply Chain

About The Role

Engineered to Protect, that’s our promise, we protect what matters - our nations, our waters, our land, our cities, our people, our environment, our world. The purpose of this role is to lead the end to end supply chain function, ensuring all supply chain activities meet the standards expected delivering a resilient, efficient, and quality driven supply chain.

Head of Supply Chain will be based at our Barnstaple site. This role does require being onsite 4-5 days a week.

The salary for this role is up to £75k, depending on experience.

• Strategic Supply Chain Leadership
• Procurement & Commercial Governance
• Supplier Performance & Relationship Management
• Defence Industry Compliance & Assurance
• Leadership & Team Development
• Cross‑Functional & Senior Stakeholder Collaboration

At SEA, we develop and deliver advanced solutions to make our world safer, cleaner and more efficient.

We provide state-of-the-art applications for naval ship and fleet protection, and undersea surveillance systems. In-service across the globe, our systems deliver a rapid response to threats and system effectiveness and interoperation. Our systems support an ever-growing number of navies across the world, and we continue to bolster our already specialist, on-the-ground knowledge of key overseas markets.

At our core, we encourage innovation, flexibility and out-of-the-box thinking to solve problems, so we’re always looking for talented, flexible, and creative people to bring their best to SEA. In return we offer generous rewards, a fantastic work/life balance, and excellent career and training opportunities for everyone who joins. Have a look at the benefits we offer:

• Hybrid/flexible working arrangements
• 25 days’ annual leave, plus buy and sell
• Up to 16 days flexi leave accrual
• Half day Fridays
• Reservists in the Armed Forces receive special paid leave

• Private medical health insurance & Employee Assistance Program
• All Staff Bonus
• Group Pension Plan of up to 7% employer contribution
• Cycle to work scheme
• Wellbeing Centre
• Sports & Social activities
• Employee Discounts portal - online and in-store discounts, travel savings
• Life assurance policy
• Publication and recruitment bonus rewards
• Development opportunities, including Linked In learning

• Electric vehicle charging points at all sites
• Private seated lunch areas
• Onsite bistro (Barnstaple office) and free hot and cold beverages
• Onsite showers and toiletries provision
• Free onsite parking

• Significant experience leading supply chain functions within a manufacturing, engineering, or defence organisation
• Proven track record managing complex supplier networks, contract negotiation, and strategic sourcing
• Experience working in regulated environments with strict compliance requirements (e.g., defence, aerospace, security sensitive industries)
• Strong experience developing and implementing supply chain strategy and improvement programmes
• Strong leadership and people development capability, operating at a senior level.
• Excellent commercial, contractual, and negotiation skills
• Deep understanding of supply chain risk management, supplier development, and cost control methodologies
• Strong analytical, problem solving, and decision making abilities
• Effective communicator with the ability to influence at executive level and manage strategic supplier relationships
• Ability to embed rigorous process, compliance discipline, and continuous improvement

Join us and be part of something smaller - with
500people in the UK and Canada - doing something bigger:
protecting what matters.

If you’d like to know more, please give Kelly Thomas from our Talent Acquisition Team a call on  Or reach out to us on