Pictured: Russell Wetherill (Buyer), Jenny Rayne (Head of Procurement), Tom Lilburn (Senior Buyer) and Judith Adcock (Senior Buyer). Not pictured Sunny Dar.
The Teams Behind Thurston: Supply Chain & Procurement
Behind every successful project is a network of people, processes, materials and supplier relationships working together to keep delivery moving.
As part of our new The Teams Behind Thurston series, we are taking a closer look at the departments that support our operations, strengthen our capability and help us deliver for customers across the business.
This month, we are focusing on Supply Chain & Procurement.
Led by Jenny Rayne, Head of Procurement, the team plays a vital role in ensuring the right materials, products and supplier relationships are in place to support production across Thurston. With experience spanning retail, public sector and modular manufacturing environments, Jenny joined the business to help strengthen supply chain performance, improve visibility and support Thurston’s next phase of growth.
The Supply Chain team has evolved significantly over recent months. One of the most important developments has been the integration of the Stores teams into the wider Supply Chain function.
This change is already delivering clear benefits, including improved visibility of material demand, stronger communication between departments and faster identification and resolution of operational issues.
It also reflects a wider focus on building a more connected, responsive and resilient supply chain that can support the needs of the business as it continues to grow.
The team’s focus is centred around four key areas.
Improving product availability
A key priority is ensuring the right materials and products are available at the right time to support customer demand and operational requirements across the business.
By improving visibility of material needs and strengthening communication between teams, Supply Chain & Procurement helps support production planning and reduce the risk of delays.
Strengthening supplier relationships
Strong supplier partnerships are essential to maintaining performance, improving responsiveness and building long-term resilience.
The team is continuing to work closely with suppliers to improve communication, develop stronger relationships and ensure Thurston has access to the materials, expertise and support needed to deliver for customers.
Developing systems and processes
Alongside WrxFlo and other business systems, the team is focused on improving the tools, processes and reporting that support supply chain activity.
This will help create better visibility, improve planning and support more informed decision-making across the business.
Driving innovation and production efficiency
Supply Chain & Procurement also has an important role to play in supporting product innovation and production efficiency.
By working with suppliers and internal teams, the department can help identify smarter products, materials and processes that reduce production time, improve flow through the business and support increased capacity and output.
This focus on innovation and efficiency will be key as Thurston continues to strengthen its modular manufacturing capability and respond to increasing customer demand.
Supply Chain & Procurement plays a critical role in supporting Thurston’s wider ambitions. By helping maximise production capacity, improve operational efficiency and strengthen supplier partnerships, the team is supporting the business as it continues to build capability for the future.
Through continuous improvement, closer collaboration and a focus on long-term resilience, the team is helping create a supply chain that can support Thurston’s future growth.