Materials Manager in SN15
Lead critical supply chain operations. Immediate temporary-to-permanent opportunity with a leading employer in the SN15 region. Competitive pay & professional development.
Location
SN15 (Chippenham & Surrounds)
Local candidates strongly preferred
Start Date
ASAP / Immediate
Interviewing this week
Pay Rate
£45,000 - £60,000 (pro-rata)
Dependent on experience
Contract Type
Temporary to Permanent
Long-term career potential
Materials Manager Job Description
Recruiting Today is urgently seeking a highly skilled and proactive Materials Manager for a pivotal temporary-to-permanent assignment with a respected manufacturing and distribution client based in the SN15 postcode area (covering Chippenham, Lyneham, Calne, and surrounding Wiltshire communities). This is a critical leadership role where you will be responsible for the end-to-end supply chain, inventory control, and materials planning functions for a fast-paced operation.
Our client, a key player in the industrial sector, requires a candidate who can hit the ground running to optimise stock levels, reduce waste, and ensure seamless production flow. This is more than just a job vacancy; it's a career-defining opportunity to implement best practices and make a tangible impact. By applying through Recruiting Today, you gain direct access to this exclusive role, benefit from our expert negotiation on your behalf, and receive ongoing support throughout the assignment with a clear path to a permanent position for the right candidate. We specialise in connecting top-tier logistics and supply chain talent with leading local employers.
The Opportunity at a Glance
Take charge of the materials management function for a substantial operation in SN15. You'll lead a small team, manage supplier relationships, and be the central point for all inventory-related activities. This role is ideal for a hands-on manager who thrives in a dynamic environment and is looking for a role with long-term stability.
Core Responsibilities & Duties
As the Materials Manager in SN15, you will be the linchpin of the supply operation. Your day-to-day will be varied and impactful, requiring both strategic thinking and practical problem-solving.
Inventory & Stock Control
- • Develop and implement robust inventory management strategies to maintain optimal stock levels across multiple product lines.
- • Conduct regular cycle counts and full stock audits, ensuring system accuracy matches physical inventory.
- • Analyse inventory data to identify slow-moving or obsolete stock and initiate corrective actions.
Supply Chain & Procurement
- • Manage end-to-end procurement processes, from raising POs to goods receipt, ensuring timely availability of materials for production.
- • Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers and logistics partners, negotiating terms and resolving issues.
- • Forecast material requirements based on production schedules and sales forecasts to prevent shortages or excess.
Team Leadership & Process
- • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of warehouse and materials personnel, fostering a culture of safety and efficiency.
- • Implement and refine standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all materials handling, storage, and issuance activities.
- • Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity, reduce costs, and improve material flow.
Reporting & Systems
- • Generate and analyse KPIs and management reports on inventory accuracy, turnover, supplier performance, and departmental costs.
- • Serve as the super-user for the company's ERP/MRP system (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Sage), ensuring data integrity and training staff.
- • Ensure compliance with all health and safety regulations, particularly regarding storage and handling of materials.
Essential Skills & Candidate Profile
To be successful in this Materials Manager position, you will need a blend of technical knowledge, leadership ability, and practical experience. Our client is looking for a proven professional who can demonstrate a track record of improving materials operations.
Experience & Qualifications
A minimum of 5 years' experience in a materials management, inventory control, or supply chain leadership role, preferably within a manufacturing, engineering, or FMCG environment. A relevant degree (e.g., Supply Chain, Logistics, Business) or professional qualification (CIPS, APICS) is highly desirable. Proven experience with ERP/MRP systems is non-negotiable.
Technical & Analytical Skills
Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex data to drive decisions. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and inventory management software. A strong understanding of lean manufacturing principles (5S, Kanban, Just-in-Time) and their application in materials management.
Leadership & Communication
A confident leader with experience managing teams. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential for liaising with suppliers, senior management, and cross-functional departments like production, quality, and sales. You must be able to influence and drive change.
Logistical & Practical Requirements
Must hold a full UK driving licence and have the right to work in the UK indefinitely. Due to the site's location in SN15, own transport is highly advantageous. A flexible approach to working hours is sometimes required to meet business needs. A strong focus on health, safety, and environmental standards is paramount.
Salary, Benefits & What We Offer
Remuneration Package
- ✓ Competitive Salary: £45,000 - £60,000 per annum (pro-rata for the initial temporary period), dependent on experience.
- ✓ Weekly Pay: Get paid reliably every week through Recruiting Today during the temporary phase.
- ✓ Pension Scheme: Access to the company pension scheme upon permanent placement.
- ✓ Performance Bonus: Eligibility for performance-related bonuses based on departmental KPIs and cost-saving initiatives.
Career & Development
- ✓ Direct Hire Pathway: This is a genuine temp-to-perm role with a clear route to a permanent, staff position for the right candidate.
- ✓ Professional Growth: Opportunity to spearhead projects and gain experience in a substantial, established operation.
- ✓ Recruiting Today Support: Our expert consultants provide continuous support, career advice, and act as your advocate with the client.
Operating in the SN15 Industrial Hub
Taking on the Materials Manager role in the SN15 postcode area places you at the heart of a vibrant and strategically important industrial region. This area, encompassing Chippenham, Lyneham, Calne, and Corsham, is a nexus for advanced engineering, aerospace, defence, and high-value manufacturing. Your work will directly support supply chains that are critical to both national infrastructure and global exports.
The logistical advantages of SN15 are significant. With excellent road links via the M4 corridor, proximity to major ports like Bristol and Southampton, and a skilled local workforce, businesses here operate at a high tempo. This role requires a manager who understands the pressures and opportunities of this environment—where just-in-time delivery is paramount, and inventory accuracy can make or break production schedules.
A Day in the Life: Scenario-Based Insight
To understand the real-world impact of this position, consider a typical critical scenario:
Morning: You start by reviewing the overnight production plan and the live inventory dashboard in the ERP system. A red flag appears: a critical component from a key supplier is showing delayed transit. You immediately contact the supplier and logistics partner, using your relationship to expedite a solution, while simultaneously working with the Production Planner to resequence the day's work to minimise downtime.
Afternoon: You lead a Kaizen event with your team in the warehouse to redesign a storage layout for a new product line, applying 5S principles to improve pick efficiency by an estimated 15%. Afterwards, you analyse last month's supplier performance data, preparing a report that highlights cost-saving opportunities from consolidating orders with two underperforming vendors.
End of Day: You conduct a one-to-one coaching session with a Team Leader, focusing on developing their skills in conducting root cause analysis for stock discrepancies. You finish by updating the forward-looking material requirements forecast for the next quarter, ensuring procurement is aligned with anticipated sales growth.
Advanced Systems & Technology You'll Master
This role demands more than just familiarity with an ERP system; it requires mastery. Our client utilises a tier-one enterprise resource planning platform (such as SAP S/4HANA or Oracle NetSuite) integrated with advanced warehouse management systems (WMS) and barcode scanning technology. You will be expected to:
- Utilise advanced MRP (Material Requirements Planning) modules to run net requirement calculations and generate automatic purchase proposals.
- Configure and interpret real-time dashboards for inventory valuation, aged stock analysis, and supplier OTIF (On-Time In-Full) performance.
- Manage system parameters like safety stock levels, reorder points, and lead times to optimise the automated ordering process.
- Troubleshoot data integrity issues, working with IT to ensure the Bill of Materials (BOM) and routing accuracy for complex assemblies.
Why Apply Through Recruiting Today?
As a specialist recruitment agency with deep roots in the Wiltshire and South West industrial sector, we offer more than just an introduction. We provide a partnership that maximises your chances of success and ensures a smooth transition into this pivotal role.
Exclusive Access & Advocacy
This specific Materials Manager opportunity is being managed exclusively by Recruiting Today. We have a trusted relationship with the hiring manager and understand the nuanced needs of the role. We prepare you thoroughly for interviews and actively represent your interests, negotiating on your behalf regarding pay, conditions, and the permanent transition.
Risk-Mitigated Career Move
The temp-to-permanent structure is designed as a mutual"try before you buy" for both you and the employer. It allows you to integrate into the team, understand the company culture, and assess the role's long-term fit without immediate commitment. You perform the role as a contractor paid by us, with all the legal and financial security that provides, while proving your value for a permanent offer.
Ongoing Support Network
From the moment you apply, you are assigned a dedicated consultant who becomes your single point of contact. We assist with interview preparation, provide detailed briefings on the company, and offer guidance throughout the assignment. Even after you transition to a permanent employee, we maintain contact as part of your professional network in the SN15 area.
The Application & Interview Process
We have streamlined our process to move as quickly as our client needs. For this immediate start role, we anticipate a swift but thorough evaluation. Here is what you can expect:
Initial Application & Screening Call
Submit your CV via the"Apply Now" button below. Our specialist supply chain team will review your application against the core requirements. If there's a potential match, you will receive a call from your dedicated consultant within 48 hours. This 20-minute call is a two-way conversation: we'll discuss the role in greater detail, and you can ask initial questions.
Tip: Have specific examples ready of how you've improved inventory accuracy, reduced carrying costs, or led a team through a process change.
In-Depth Competency Interview
Successful candidates will be invited for a formal video or in-person interview with the Recruiting Today consultant and potentially the hiring manager. This stage focuses on behavioural and competency-based questions. Be prepared to discuss your experience with ERP systems, describe a time you resolved a major supply chain disruption, and explain your approach to team leadership and stakeholder management.
Preparation: We will provide you with a detailed interview guide and the client's company background prior to this meeting.
Client Interview & Site Visit
The final stage is a comprehensive interview at the client's site in SN15. This typically involves meeting the Operations Director and other senior stakeholders, followed by a tour of the facilities. This is your opportunity to see the operation firsthand and ask detailed questions about the challenges and opportunities. You may be given a practical scenario to discuss how you would approach a specific materials problem.
Objective: The client is assessing both your technical fit and your cultural alignment with their team.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the temporary period before becoming permanent?
The temporary-to-permanent period is typically between 3 to 6 months. This is a standard probationary period for a role at this level, allowing both parties to ensure the fit is right. The intention from the client's side is unequivocally to move the successful candidate to a permanent staff position. Performance, integration, and impact will be assessed, and Recruiting Today will facilitate the transition discussions.
What is the specific industry of the client?
To protect our client's confidentiality during the initial recruitment phase, we disclose the specific industry only to fully vetted, shortlisted candidates. We can confirm it is a substantial, established manufacturing business with a complex supply chain, operating within the engineering or industrial sector. The site is a major employer in the SN15 area with a reputation for quality and innovation. Full details are provided before the client interview.
Is remote or hybrid working available for this role?
This is a primarily onsite role due to its hands-on, leadership nature. The Materials Manager must be present on the shop floor and in the warehouse to effectively lead the team, manage physical inventory, and respond to live production issues. There may be limited scope for administrative tasks to be performed remotely on an ad-hoc basis, but the core of the role requires a consistent, visible presence at the SN15 facility.
What are the biggest challenges the successful candidate will face?
The initial challenges will involve quickly assimilating into an existing operation, building rapport with a new team, and understanding the specific nuances of the product lines and supply base. There is an ongoing initiative to improve inventory record accuracy and reduce obsolete stock, so the manager will need to diagnose current process gaps and implement sustainable fixes. Additionally, navigating global supply chain volatility and ensuring resilience will be a key strategic focus.
Ready to Lead the Supply Chain in SN15?
If you are an experienced Materials Manager seeking a challenging role with clear long-term prospects, this is your opportunity. Don't let uncertainty hold you back—apply today and let Recruiting Today guide you through the process.
Applications close Friday. Interview slots are being booked now for early next week. Apply immediately to avoid disappointment.
The SN15 Industrial Ecosystem: A Strategic Advantage
Operating as a Materials Manager within the SN15 postcode is not just about managing stock; it's about navigating a sophisticated and interconnected industrial ecosystem. This region, often referred to as the"Northern Wiltshire Corridor," hosts a unique concentration of high-tech engineering, aerospace sub-systems manufacturers, defence contractors, and advanced material science companies. The supply chains you will manage are often tier-one or tier-two suppliers to global OEMs, meaning the standards for traceability, quality, and on-time delivery are exceptionally high.
Your role will involve interfacing with a local supplier base that is itself specialised. For instance, you may be sourcing precision-machined components from a specialist in Calne, electronic assemblies from a firm in Corsham, and specialised packaging from Lyneham. Understanding the capabilities and constraints of this local network is a critical success factor. Furthermore, the area's connectivity—proximity to the M4, rail freight links to the Port of Bristol, and access to skilled labour from surrounding towns—creates a logistical environment that is both demanding and full of opportunity for an astute manager.
Case Study: Implementing a Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI) System
A recent initiative led by a Materials Manager at a similar SN15 aerospace firm provides a tangible example of the impact you could have. Facing chronic issues with stock-outs of high-value, low-volume seals and gaskets, the manager proposed and implemented a VMI programme with a key local supplier.
- The Challenge: High procurement overhead for small, frequent orders, coupled with production delays due to missing seals.
- The Solution: Installed secure, barcoded bins at the point of use on the shop floor. The supplier was granted remote access to real-time consumption data.
- The Outcome: The supplier became responsible for maintaining stock levels between agreed min/max points. This led to a 30% reduction in procurement admin time, a 99.5% line-side availability for those items, and transformed a transactional relationship into a strategic partnership. The manager who led this project was promoted within 18 months.
This is the calibre of strategic thinking our client in SN15 is seeking. They need a manager who sees beyond the daily transactions to implement systems that create lasting efficiency and resilience.
Navigating Global Supply Chain Volatility from a Local Hub
The post-pandemic and geopolitical landscape has made supply chain resilience non-negotiable. An SN15-based Materials Manager must be adept at global risk mitigation while leveraging local agility. This involves a multi-faceted approach:
Risk Mitigation Strategies
- • Dual Sourcing: Identifying and qualifying alternative suppliers for critical components, potentially within the UK or nearshoring to Europe to reduce lead time variability.
- • Safety Stock Modelling: Moving beyond simple rules-of-thumb to dynamically calculated safety stock levels based on supplier lead time volatility, demand variability, and item criticality using statistical software.
- • Scenario Planning: Working with procurement and sales to model the impact of potential disruptions (e.g., port strikes, raw material shortages) and developing contingency"playbooks."
Leveraging Local Advantages
- • Consolidated Logistics: Using the region's density to consolidate shipments from multiple local suppliers, reducing transport costs and carbon footprint.
- • Collaborative Forecasting: Establishing shared forecasting platforms with key local partners to improve visibility and reduce the bullwhip effect.
- • Community of Practice: Engaging with other materials and logistics professionals in the SN15 area through local industry forums to share best practices and early warnings on supplier issues.
Advanced Inventory Analysis & Cost Management
Beyond basic stock control, this role demands a financial and analytical acumen to directly influence the company's bottom line. The Materials Manager will be expected to own the inventory asset on the balance sheet, making decisions that optimise working capital and reduce carrying costs without compromising service levels.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) You Will Own
You will be responsible for reporting on and improving a suite of KPIs. Mastery of these metrics is what separates a transactional manager from a strategic business partner:
| KPI | Definition | Target & Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Inventory Turnover Ratio | Cost of Goods Sold / Average Inventory Value | Aim to increase turns year-on-year. Higher turns indicate efficient use of capital, freeing cash for investment. A typical target for this sector in SN15 would be 8-12 turns per annum. |
| Inventory Accuracy | (1 - (Absolute Value of Variance / Total Inventory Value)) * 100 | Target >99.5% for A-items, >98% overall. Directly impacts production planning confidence, reduces expediting costs, and prevents revenue loss from missed shipments. |
| Days of Inventory On Hand (DIOH) | (Average Inventory / Cost of Goods Sold) * 365 | Strive to reduce DIOH while maintaining service levels. Lower days mean less capital tied up and reduced risk of obsolescence. A complex SKU mix in engineering may target 45-60 days. |
| Supplier On-Time In-Full (OTIF) | % of orders delivered complete and on the promised date | Aim for >95% OTIF. This is the leading indicator of production stability. Poor performance here requires root-cause analysis and supplier development or replacement. |
Cost-Saving Initiatives: From Identification to Implementation
A primary objective for this role will be to identify and execute cost-saving projects. This is not about arbitrary cuts, but strategic value engineering. Here are concrete areas where you will be expected to drive change:
1. Obsolescence Reduction Programme
Engineering and manufacturing environments in SN15 often grapple with legacy components and design changes. You will be tasked with:
- Analysis: Using the ERP system to run aged stock reports, identifying items with zero usage over 12-24 months.
- Cross-Functional Engagement: Working with engineering to see if items can be redesigned into new products, or with sales to create promotional bundles.
- Liquidation: Partnering with specialist industrial resellers or exploring buy-back schemes with original suppliers to recover value from dead stock.
Potential Impact: A successful programme can release tens of thousands of pounds in trapped working capital and reduce storage costs.
2. Packaging & Transport Optimisation
Materials management extends beyond the factory gate. Inbound and outbound logistics offer significant savings.
- Packaging Redesign: Collaborating with suppliers to implement returnable/reusable packaging for high-volume items, eliminating per-delivery cardboard costs and waste.
- Freight Consolidation: Analysing delivery schedules to batch orders, moving from frequent small shipments to consolidated weekly or bi-weekly loads, significantly cutting freight costs.
- Mode Shift Analysis: Evaluating when it's cost-effective to shift from road to rail for certain inbound materials, given SN15's good rail links.
Potential Impact: Can reduce total logistics spend by 10-15%, while also improving the operation's sustainability credentials.
Leadership & Team Development in an Industrial Setting
The human element of materials management is as critical as the technical. In SN15's busy industrial environment, you will lead a team that may include Warehouse Operatives, Stores Controllers, and Materials Planners. Your ability to motivate, train, and develop this team directly impacts operational performance and safety.
Building a High-Performance Team: A Practical Framework
Our client expects a manager who can cultivate a culture of continuous improvement and accountability. Here’s a framework you might implement:
- Skills Matrix Development: Map out all critical tasks in the department (e.g., operating the VNA forklift, conducting cycle counts, processing GRNs, running MRP reports). Assess each team member's competency. This identifies training gaps and ensures cross-skilling for resilience.
- Daily Tiered Meetings (Huddle Boards): Implement a 5-minute daily stand-up at the start of each shift. The team reviews yesterday's performance (KPIs on a board), discusses today's plan and any potential bottlenecks (e.g.,"We have two trucks arriving at 11 AM, need extra hands"), and highlights safety topics. This drives communication and focus.
- Empowerment through KPIs: Share key performance data with the team transparently. Help them understand how their actions (e.g., accurate put-away) affect the overall inventory accuracy KPI. Empower them to suggest and lead small improvement projects (e.g., a team-led 5S project in a specific aisle).
- Succession Planning: Identify potential within the team. Could a stores controller be developed into a junior planner? Providing clear career paths within the materials function reduces turnover and builds institutional knowledge.
Navigating Stakeholder Relationships
As Materials Manager, you are the nexus between several critical functions. Your diplomatic and communication skills will be constantly tested.
Internal Stakeholders
- Production/Operations: You must balance their need for 100% material availability with the financial imperative to minimise stock. This requires joint planning, clear communication on shortages, and collaborative root-cause analysis when lines stop.
- Finance: You will partner with them on inventory valuation, setting stock targets, and justifying capital investments (e.g., new warehouse racking). Speak their language of ROI and working capital.
- Sales & Commercial: Their forecasts drive your procurement. You must challenge unrealistic forecasts while also ensuring you have the agility to support unexpected large orders.
External Stakeholders
- Suppliers: Move from adversarial to partnership-based relationships. Conduct joint business reviews, share forecasts (where appropriate), and work on continuous improvement projects together.
- Logistics Providers: Manage these as an extension of your team. Regular performance reviews, clear SLAs, and collaborative problem-solving when deliveries go awry are essential.
- Regulatory Bodies: Ensure compliance with health & safety (HSE), environmental (EA), and industry-specific regulations (e.g., ITAR for defence, AS/EN standards for aerospace).
Technology & Digital Transformation in Materials Management
The modern Materials Manager must be as comfortable with data and technology as with physical inventory. This role sits at the intersection of operations and IT. Our client is likely on a journey of digital maturity, and you will be expected to contribute to, if not lead, initiatives that enhance system capability and data-driven decision-making.
Beyond ERP: Emerging Technologies
While proficiency in a core ERP/MRP system is essential, awareness of the following technologies will be a significant advantage:
IoT & Smart Warehouse
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags and IoT sensors on bins and racks enable real-time, automated inventory tracking. This can eliminate manual cycle counts for tagged items and provide instant location data.
Predictive Analytics
Using historical data and machine learning algorithms to predict demand patterns, potential supplier delays, or even machine failure rates that would impact material consumption. This moves planning from reactive to proactive.
Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
"Bots" can automate repetitive, rule-based tasks such as data entry from supplier emails into the ERP, sending out PO acknowledgements, or generating routine shortage reports, freeing your team for higher-value work.
Data Integrity: The Foundation of Everything
The most advanced system is useless with poor data. A critical initial task will likely be to champion a"Data Integrity Project" focusing on:
- Bill of Materials (BOM) Accuracy: Working with engineering to ensure every product's BOM in the ERP is 100% correct. An incorrect BOM leads to mis-procurement, shortages, and excess stock.
- Lead Time Management: Ensuring supplier lead times in the system are dynamically updated based on performance, not static, optimistic estimates.
- Unit of Measure Consistency: Eliminating errors caused by purchasing in pallets, stocking in boxes, and issuing in each. Standardising UOM across the system.
- Cycle Count Discipline: Implementing a robust, frequent cycle counting programme (e.g., ABC analysis) to find and correct errors before they disrupt production or the financial audit.
Your First 100 Days: A Success Roadmap
To excel in this role from the outset, we recommend a structured approach for your first 100 days. This demonstrates strategic intent to your new employer and ensures you build credibility quickly.
Listen & Learn
Immersion & Relationship Building
- Stakeholder Interviews: Schedule one-on-ones with your direct reports, peers in production/quality/sales, your manager, and key suppliers. Ask:"What works well?""What are our biggest pains?""What would you change?"
- Process Mapping: Walk the entire material flow physically – from goods receipt, through inspection, put-away, storage, picking, kitting, to line-side delivery. Document the"as-is" process with your team.
- Data Deep Dive: Analyse the last 12 months of KPIs: inventory accuracy reports, OTIF performance, top 10 shortage lists, aged stock reports. Identify the top 3 recurring issues.
- Team Assessment: Understand the skills, motivations, and dynamics within your team. Identify quick wins to build morale and trust.
Analyse & Plan
Diagnosis & Strategy Formulation
- Root Cause Analysis: For the top issues identified, conduct formal root cause analyses (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone diagrams) with the relevant teams.
- Develop"To-Be" State: Based on your learnings, draft a vision for the materials department in 12 months. What will success look like? Define 3-5 clear, measurable objectives.
- Quick Win Implementation: Execute 1-2 simple, high-impact improvements. Example: reorganising a fast-moving items zone for quicker picking, or implementing a visual management board for daily performance.
- Draft 12-Month Plan: Create a roadmap with phased initiatives, required resources, and expected benefits. Present this to senior management for alignment and buy-in.
Execute & Embed
Action & Institutionalise Change
- Launch First Major Project: Kick off your first significant improvement project from your plan (e.g., the VMI pilot, or the obsolescence reduction programme). Establish a project team with clear roles.
- Refine Team Structure: Based on your assessment, make any necessary adjustments to roles, responsibilities, or shifts to optimise coverage and workflow.
- Establish Routines: Institutionalise the daily huddles, weekly KPI reviews, and monthly supplier performance meetings. Make them non-negotiable parts of the department's rhythm.
- Report on Early Results: Quantify the impact of your quick wins and early project work. Show tangible improvements in a key metric (e.g., reduced cycle count variance, improved OTIF). This builds credibility and momentum.
A Role Designed for Impact
This Materials Manager position in SN15 is not a maintenance role. It is a transformation role. The client is seeking an agent of change—someone who can audit the current state, envision a more efficient and resilient future, and lead the team and the technology to get there.
You will be measured not just on keeping the shelves stocked, but on improving inventory turns, releasing working capital, building a high-performance team, and strengthening the supply chain against an uncertain world. For a professional who thrives on responsibility, enjoys solving complex logistical puzzles, and wants to see the direct impact of their work on a substantial business, this is an unparalleled opportunity in the heart of Wiltshire's industrial community.