Global Director of Supply Chain & Operations

Company Description

The Barbour story began in 1894 in South Shields in the North East of England. Founder John Barbour began supplying oilskins and other garments to protect the growing community of sailors, fishermen and dockers. Still family owned and now fifth generation, Barbour HQ remains in South Shields. Under the leadership of Chairman Dame Margaret Barbour, Barbour has grown into a lifestyle brand sold in over 55 countries worldwide including Europe, the US and Asia offering a wardrobe of stylish functional clothing, footwear and accessories inspired by the unique values of the British countryside.

The iconic Barbour Bedale and Barbour Beaufort wax jackets continue to be made by hand in the factory in South Shields. In 2020, Barbour launched Wax for Life, an overarching name for all of Barbour's wax services designed to encourage customers to extend the life of their wax garments. Wax for Life includes re-waxing and repairs (first introduced in 1921) and Barbour Re-Loved an upcycling circularity initiative.

Each year over 70,000 wax garments are sent back to Barbour globally to be repaired, rewaxed or altered.

We are currently recruiting for a Global Director of Supply Chain & Operations (End to End) to join our Global Supply Chain team, based at Barbour House, South Shields. We are seeking a dynamic, visionary, and commercially astute leader to take full ownership of our global supply chain and operations. This senior leadership role is accountable for designing and executing an end-to-end supply chain strategy, from sourcing and procurement through manufacturing, logistics, and fulfilment, ensuring it is agile, scalable, and aligned with our ambitious growth plans.

Success in this role will be defined by tangible results, specifically:

• On-time product availability at the right cost
• Achievement of production cost and margin targets
• Consistently excellent quality standards
• High service levels through logistics at optimal cost
• Uncompromising ethical and regulatory compliance

Without excellence in these outcomes, the business cannot succeed, this is the core measure of impact.

The Director will lead through a team of departmental heads while providing strategic oversight, governance, and cross-functional alignment. However, this is not a purely high-level role: we need someone who can set the vision and also dive into the details when necessary—someone who combines strategic thinking with operational involvement.

As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will work closely with peers across Product, Commercial, Finance, and Technology to ensure supply chain capabilities accelerate business performance and deliver sustainable competitive advantage.

Strategic Supply Chain Leadership

• Develop and execute the end-to-end supply chain strategy to support seasonal calendars, product lead times, and long-term growth objectives.
• Align supply chain capabilities with commercial, product, and customer strategies.
• Partner with Design, Product Development, Merchandising, and Sales to align supply chain capabilities with commercial goals.
• Drive agility and speed-to-market while maintaining cost controls and sustainability targets.
• Lead strategic planning and scenario modelling to anticipate risks and opportunities

Global Sourcing & Procurement and Quality Assurance

• Provide strategic oversight of sourcing, procurement, and quality assurance functions.
• Approve sourcing strategies and supplier portfolios in collaboration with the Head of Sourcing.
• Ensure robust quality frameworks and compliance with brand, regulatory, and ethical standards.
• Monitor supplier performance, risk exposure, and diversification strategies.
• Champion supplier innovation, sustainability, and long-term partnerships

Logistics, Fulfilment & Distribution

• Provide strategic direction and governance for global logistics and distribution, ensuring alignment with business objectives and customer experience goals.
• Partner with the logistics team to review and optimise inbound and outbound logistics strategies, including freight, customs, and warehousing.
• Oversee the development of long-term…