Deputy Director, Supply Chain Centre & Global Supply Chain Intelligence Platform

The role of Deputy Director, Supply Chain Centre & Global Supply Chain Intelligence Platform will be pivotal in strengthening end‑to‑end supply chain capabilities, driving digital transformation, and fostering collaboration with business across the UK and with international partners. The post‑holder will champion the UK's role as a leader in advanced manufacturing and logistics, harnessing emerging technologies, data‑driven insights, and strategic partnerships to support the UK economy to grow and to withstand future disruptions. The role offers substantial leadership and line management opportunities across a team of around 60 policy and analytical colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Shape and deliver the vision, objectives, and operational priorities of the Supply Chain Centre and the Global Supply Chain Intelligence Programme, ensuring alignment with the Industrial Strategy 2025, Trade Strategy 2025 and wider government policy.
• Collaborative Innovation: Forge and nurture partnerships with industry, academia, government, and international stakeholders to drive co‑creation, knowledge exchange, and best practice in supply chain innovation and intelligence.
• Data & Intelligence: Oversee the development of advanced supply chain intelligence capabilities, utilising data analytics, digital tools, and emerging technologies to generate actionable insights for UK industry and government.
• Resilience & Risk Management: Lead initiatives to identify, assess, and mitigate supply chain risks, supporting the development of agile, transparent, and secure supply chains domestically and globally.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Represent the Supply Chain Centre and Intelligence Platform at national and international forums, advocating for UK interests and facilitating cross‑border collaboration.
• Policy & Advisory: Provide expert advice to senior leaders, departmental ministers, and external partners on matters related to supply chain strategy, resilience, innovation and response to shocks.

Qualifications

• Confident and kind leadership, ability to foster consistent and strong performance from your team as well as influencing, relationship‑building across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Successful development and delivery of strategy policy at senior level in large and complex organisations, including guiding teams in translating complex intelligence/evidence into decisions/actionable recommendations.
• Exceptional communication and presentation abilities, with experience representing organisations at a senior level including in an international setting.
• Project and programme management proficiency with strong organisational and financial acumen including experience/knowledge of procurement processes.
• Track record of creating a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and adaptability in a fast‑paced environment.
• Commitment to making a positive contribution to the corporate life of the directorate and wider department including championing diversity and inclusion.

Security and Vetting

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window). See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in a new window) checks. Please note that this role requires developed vetting security clearance.

Assignment Duration

This role has a minimum assignment duration of 3 years. As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above. This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions. It will depend on your personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any absence like family friendly leave.

Remuneration and Benefits

Alongside your salary of £81,000, Department for Business and Trade contributes £23,465 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Application Instructions

You will be asked to upload the two documents outlined below. It is essential you add your full name to both documents: 1. A CV setting out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role. Please provide reasons for any gaps within the last two years. 2. A Supporting Statement (not more than two pages of A4, providing examples of how your experience meets the essential criteria).

Candidate Information Call

The hiring manager for this position, Claire Vince will be hosting a virtual call for any interested applicants to discuss the role and answer any questions. Please note this is not part of the formal assessment process.