HOW YOU CAN MAKE AN IMPACT
The Materials Manager is responsible for overseeing all aspects of material procurement, ensuring timely and cost-effective purchasing to support operational needs. This includes managing supplier relationships, handling warranty claims, and ensuring all materials-particularly safety-critical parts-meet the company's quality standards. Stock levels are maintained through just-in-time delivery strategies, with continual review of re-order points to prevent shortages and support efficient inventory turnover.
Warehouse and stores operations fall under the Materials Manager's remit, with a focus on compliance, safety, and best practice. Responsibilities include managing waste disposal in line with regulations, ensuring tools and equipment are repaired, replaced, or recalibrated promptly, and maintaining a safe, organised, and efficient working environment. The role also involves leading the development and implementation of accessible, user-friendly warehouse and stock management systems that meet relevant standards as in agreement with the Senior Material Manager.
A key part of the role is maintaining robust systems and procedures that support operational performance and compliance. The Materials Manager produces regular reports-weekly, monthly, and quarterly-on contract-specific performance targets, and contributes to the development of safety and quality systems. They support risk identification and mitigation through the annual completion of the risk register and ensure all activities align with legal, legislative, and company obligations.
The Materials Manager ensures supplier performance meets required specifications and resolves issues related to overdue or non-stocked parts, maintaining continuity of supply and operational readiness.
The Materials Manager is accountable for managing the depot's materials and stores. They monitor performance against agreed targets, driving productivity and efficiency while supporting long-term fleet material strategies. Collaboration with production and performance teams ensures accurate forecasting and alignment with operational goals.
As a line manager, the Materials Manager leads the stores team, overseeing performance, attendance, and development in line with company procedures. They promote effective communication and cooperation across departments, ensuring materials are delivered as required and supporting production needs. The role also includes conducting competency assessments, quality inspections, and engaging with stakeholders to maintain high standards.
Safety and values are central to the role. The Materials Manager fosters a zero-harm culture, ensuring all activities prioritise people and product safety. They demonstrate values-based behaviour and contribute to a positive, compliant, and performance-driven working environment. While this overview outlines core responsibilities, the role also includes any other reasonable duties required to support the business.
HOW YOU WILL CONTRIBUTE
Essential•Professional qualification (or working towards) in materials management, logistics, or supply chain.
•Strong understanding of material supply principles and warehouse/stock management strategies.
•Proficient in Microsoft Office and stock management systems.
•Demonstrates organisational values, builds trust, and contributes to business success.
•Proven experience in leading change and implementing improvements.
•Strong customer focus with ability to build effective relationships across all levels.
•Skilled in managing challenging situations and fostering a culture of trust.
•Experience in team leadership with strong interpersonal and collaboration skills.
•Broad business knowledge and operational experience.
Desirable
•Basic awareness of rolling stock maintenance and material usage.
•Understanding of health and safety regulations relevant to rail and depot environments.
•Experience in project management and continuous improvement.
•Previous supervisory or management experience, ideally within a collaborative leadership team.
