Material Handling Supervisor

NRL; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Holidays

Job summary

NRL in Sunderland is seeking a Material Handling Supervisor to lead the material handling team in a busy production facility. You will supervise staff, manage inventory and ensure smooth material flow.

The role emphasizes safety, process improvements and close collaboration with production, logistics and procurement to prevent shortages or overstock; on-site with dayshift pattern, shift allowance paid.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in material handling or warehouse operations, ideally within automotive sector.
• Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to inspire and develop teams.
• Competence in using inventory management systems and material handling equipment.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills, with a focus on accuracy and safety.

Responsibilities

• Supervise material handling staff, including scheduling, training and performance management.
• Manage waste, inventory and material flow across the production facility.
• Coordinate with production, logistics and procurement teams to prevent shortages or overstock.
• Enforce safety standards and implement best practices for all material handling activities.
• Monitor and analyse handling processes, identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency.
• Maintain accurate records of material movements, inventory levels and equipment usage.
• Ensure adherence to company policies, industry standards and regulatory requirements.
• Prepare regular reports for senior management on performance and improvement initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Inventory management

Material handling

Communication

Tools

SAP

Job description

Material Handling Supervisor – Sunderland, Tyne and Wear

Join a forward‑thinking manufacturing organisation committed to innovation, quality and sustainability. This position is ideal for an experienced material handling professional who enjoys leading teams, streamlining processes and ensuring materials flow efficiently through a busy production environment.

Salary Competitive

Location and Working Pattern Sunderland, Tyne and Wear – on‑site role within a modern production facility. Currently a dayshift pattern but subject to change with shift allowance paid.

Client Overview

Our client is a world‑leading battery technology company dedicated to advancing renewable energy solutions. Through intelligent innovation and collaboration across teams, they help to shape the future of clean energy manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Supervise material handling staff, including scheduling, training and performance management.
• Manage waste, inventory and material flow across the production facility.
• Coordinate with production, logistics and procurement teams to prevent shortages or overstock.
• Enforce safety standards and implement best practices for all material handling activities.
• Monitor and analyse handling processes, identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency.
• Maintain accurate records of material movements, inventory levels and equipment usage.
• Ensure adherence to company policies, industry standards and regulatory requirements.
• Prepare regular reports for senior management on performance and improvement initiatives.

Requirements

• Proven experience in material handling or warehouse operations, ideally within the automotive sector.
• Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to inspire and develop teams.
• Competence in using inventory management systems and material handling equipment.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills, with a focus on accuracy and safety.
• Ability to perform effectively in a fast‑paced production environment.

Nice‑to‑have

• Familiarity with Lean manufacturing principles or similar continuous improvement methods.
• Previous experience using SAP or comparable enterprise systems.

Benefits

• Pension scheme
• Holidays

We welcome applications from every walk of life and are committed to diversity within the industries we support, as a certified Inclusive Recruiter and Armed Forces friendly employer.