Materials Manager

Hitachi Rail; Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus potential

Pension up to 9%

Private medical insurance

Life insurance

Income protection

Employee assistance programme

Flexible benefits

25 days holiday

Job summary

Hitachi Rail is seeking an experienced Materials Manager to lead our materials, stores and logistics at a Train Maintenance Centre. This onsite role focuses on stock integrity, availability and supply‑chain performance to keep fleets safe and well‑maintained.

You will drive continuous improvement across the supply chain, ensuring the right materials and services are available when needed and collaborating with procurement, systems and other teams.

Qualifications

• Experience leading materials, stores or warehouse operations in a complex environment.
• Strong leadership to develop high‑performing teams and drive continuous improvement.
• Solid understanding of inventory control, stock governance and operational processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all materials, stores, and inventory operations to support maintenance delivery and fleet availability
• Ensure robust stock control, governance, and inventory accuracy across all materials and tooling
• Promote a strong health & safety culture and ensure compliance with regulatory and company standards
• Provide leadership and direction to the materials team, driving performance, engagement, and development
• Manage supplier and 3PL relationships to ensure service levels, cost efficiency, and value delivery
• Oversee tooling, calibration (IMTE), and critical asset readiness to maintain operational integrity
• Lead audits, manage risk, and ensure compliance across all materials and inventory processes
• Collaborate with supply chain, procurement, and systems teams to improve processes and performance

Skills

Leadership

Inventory control

Stock governance

Supplier management

Budgeting

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

UK Driving Licence

Education

Relevant degree in logistics or supply chain

Tools

SAP

MS Excel

IMTE

Job description

About Us

A career at Hitachi Rail will help create a legacy. With operations in every corner of the world, our work goes to the cutting-edge of digital transformation and technology. From the multi-cultural strength of our global organisation to the sustainable and innovative ways we work to bring people together, there’s something for everyone to get stuck into. And that’s where you come in.

Job Description

Your new role

We’re looking for an experienced Materials Manager to lead our materials, stores, and logistics operations within a Train Maintenance Centre (TMC). This is a hands-on, onsite leadership role where you will take ownership of stock integrity, materials availability, and supply chain performance—ensuring our fleets are maintained safely, efficiently, and to the highest standards.

You’ll play a key role in keeping operations moving by ensuring the right materials, tools, and services are available at the right time, while driving continuous improvement across the supply chain.

Some Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all materials, stores, and inventory operations to support maintenance delivery and fleet availability


• Ensure robust stock control, governance, and inventory accuracy across all materials and tooling


• Promote a strong health & safety culture and ensure compliance with all regulatory and company standards


• Provide leadership and direction to the materials team, driving performance, engagement, and development


• Manage supplier and 3PL relationships to ensure service levels, cost efficiency, and value delivery


• Oversee tooling, calibration (IMTE), and critical asset readiness to maintain operational integrity


• Lead audits, manage risk, and ensure compliance across all materials and inventory processes


• Collaborate with supply chain, procurement, and systems teams to improve processes and performance

About You

We’re looking for a strong leader with a passion for operational excellence and continuous improvement.

You will bring:

• Proven experience managing materials, stores, or warehouse operations in a complex environment


• Strong leadership experience with the ability to inspire and develop high-performing teams


• Solid understanding of inventory control, stock governance, and operational processes


• Experience working with budgets and driving cost efficiencies


• Excellent communication skills and the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels


• Hold UK Driving Licence with no more than 6 points

Highly desirable (but not essential)

• Experience within the rail industry or a safety-critical environment


• Familiarity with SAP or similar stock/asset management systems


• Qualifications in supply chain, logistics, or stores management

We welcome candidates from rail, engineering, manufacturing, logistics, and other relevant industries who can bring transferable expertise in materials and stores management.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary


• Annual performance-related bonus opportunity


• 25 days holiday


• Pension scheme with contributions up to 9%


• Private medical insurance


• Personal accident insurance


• Group income protection & life insurance


• Employee Assistance Programme


• Flexible benefits to suit your lifestyle

At Hitachi Rail, there is a place for everyone.

We welcome and value differences in background, age, gender, sexuality, family status, disability, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, and world view.

It is our commitment to create an inclusive environment - we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.