Materials Operative

Hitachi; Ashford; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

25 days holiday

Performance related bonus

Pension scheme with contributions up 9

Private medical insurance

Group Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Hitachi Rail UK Limited in Ashford, Kent is hiring a Materials Operative to support the delivery of material requirements for train maintenance. You will work with Materials and Stores, handling stock control, goods movements, purchasing, dispatch and inventory management to keep operations efficient.

You’ll assist with end-to-end material processes, collaborate with stores teams, maintain returns, support on-time deliveries, and help monitor demand and forecasting using MRP data.

Qualifications

• English GCSE level or equivalent required.
• Mathematics GCSE level or equivalent.
• Experience with a computerised inventory control system.
• Competent IT skills in Microsoft Office.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Materials team with end-to-end inbound/outbound goods and materials issuing.
• Collaborate with Train Maintainer stores to ensure seamless material provision.
• Maintain material returns and quarantine items as required.
• Assist with purchasing of materials, spares, equipment and services to ensure on-time delivery.
• Prepare material for dispatch and arrange courier collection.
• Monitor material demand and trends and report variances to Materials Manager.
• Interact with Master Scheduler to understand demand and forecast.
• Ensure safe, efficient storage using forklift or crane and maintain housekeeping.
• Use and maintain MRP data as the primary planning tool.
• Support inventory checks to maintain correct stock levels and report variances.
• Contribute to development and mobilisation of materials management processes.
• Support Stores processes improvements and compliance.
• Identify continuous improvement initiatives for Materials Manager/Regional Stores Manager.

Skills

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Good communication

Problem solving

Education

English GCSE or equivalent

Mathematics GCSE or equivalent

Tools

MRP system

SAP experience (desirable)

Microsoft Office

Job description

Location:

Ashford, Kent, United Kingdom

Job ID:

R0108459

Date Posted:

2026-09-21

Company Name:

Hitachi Rail UK Limited

Profession (Job Category)

Other

Job Schedule:

Full time

Remote:

No

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

Materials Operative

£33,34

Ashford

Days shift

You’ll support the delivery of material requirements within the Technical Support & Spares Supply Agreement (TSSSA**)**, helping to ensure the right materials and spares are available to support train maintenance activities. Working closely with the Materials and Stores teams, you’ll support stock control, goods movements, purchasing, dispatch and inventory management to maintain an efficient and reliable materials operation.

What you’ll be doing

• Assist the Materials team with the end to end process of managing Inbound/ Outbound goods and materials issuing transactions.

• Collaborate with the Train Maintainer stores team to ensure seamless material provision

• Maintain the material returns as required, items quarantined or returned to stock as dictated by business needs.

• Assist, when required, with the purchasing of materials, spares, equipment, tools and associated services ensuring on time delivery.

• Prepare material for dispatch and arrange collection with the courier.

• Support in the monitoring and understanding of material demand and trends, highlighting any changes or needs to the Materials Team.

• Interact with the Master Scheduler to understand demand and forecast.

• Ensure material is safely and efficiently stored, using forklift, crane or other company equipment as necessary whilst ensuring a good level of housekeeping.

• Use and maintain MRP data as the primary planning system tool.

• Support inventory checks as per the plan to ensure correct stock levels, including perpetual checks as required and report on variances to the Materials Manager.

• Support the development and mobilisation of the materials management system and processes to ensure robust, timely, and accurate materials transactional requirements are met.

• Support the implementation, compliance, and continuous improvement of Stores processes

• Identification of continuous improvement initiatives to the Materials Manager/ Regional Stores Manager and Contract Manager.

• Carry out all duties in a safe and responsible manner.

• Support with the execution and excellence in the area of stock and demand replenishment providing feedback to the supply chain on risks regarding replenishment levels and demand.

• Learn new skills in accordance with Hitachi’s new business demands as required.

• Liaison with Hitachi and external personnel as required to complete the duties of the post.

• Carry out any additional duties as required.

About you

Essential

Licences / Competences

• Depot Induction (training will be provided)
• Experience in a planning/procurement role within a manufacturing facility
• Experience with a computerised inventory control system.
• Competent IT Skills in Microsoft Office.
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• An understanding of health and safety requirements of a working environment

Qualifications

• English GCSE level or equivalent
• Mathematics GCSE level or equivalent.

Behavioural

• Approach all tasks and objectives with positive enthusiasm and flexibility.
• Sound knowledge of, and compliance to, rules and regulations
• Able to represent Hitachi in a professional manner at all times
• Good team worker
• Position holder must be able to interface effectively with all levels of personnel both within and outside the company.
• Self-motivated

Desirable

Licences / Competences

• Clean valid driving license
• MRP experience is advantageous.
• SAP experience would be advantageous.
• Experience of statistical reporting, forecasting and understanding of financial and operational impacts of forecasting.
• Current and valid counterbalance FLT licence (training will be provided)

What we offer

We value the importance of all of our employees, if you would like to join our fantastic organisation you could be entitled to:

• • Competitive salary
  • 25 days holiday
  • Potential opportunity for annual performance related bonus
  • Pension scheme with contributions up to 9%
  • Private medical insurance
  • Personal Accident insurance
  • Group Income protection
  • Group Life Insurance
  • Employee Assistance Programme

We also offer additional perks for you to choose from within a flexible plan that will meet your specific needs and lifestyle.

Closing date for applications is 5th October 2026.

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.