Raw Material and Stores Manager

PPG; Stowmarket; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

PPG Industries in Stowmarket seeks a Materials & Stores leader responsible for safe and compliant management of raw materials, packaging, stores and labelling to support site production plans. You will drive inventory accuracy, regulatory compliance and people leadership across the department.

You will report to the Site Operations Manager and lead a team while delivering continuous improvement in safety, quality and productivity. Close collaboration with Planning and Procurement is essential.

Qualifications

• 2–5 years' management experience in manufacturing, warehousing, or supply chain.
• Experience in stores, warehouse, logistics or raw material operations in manufacturing.
• Knowledge of warehousing principles, storage methodologies and material handling practices.
• Understanding of manufacturing operations and supply chain concepts.
• Experience using ERP, warehouse management and inventory systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead Health, Safety and Environmental (EHS) culture across Raw Materials and Stores operations, ensuring compliance with site and company requirements.
• Lead incident investigations, risk assessments, training compliance, SOP governance and continuous improvement activities.
• Ensure COMAH, ATEX, environmental and other regulatory requirements for raw material storage and handling.
• Manage and maintain Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) procedures and safe isolation practices.
• Lead and manage the Stores, Raw Materials and Labelling teams.
• Ensure accurate inventory management, stock control and material traceability.
• Coordinate receipt, storage and distribution of raw materials, packaging and consumables.
• Ensure quality standards and lead root cause investigations and CAPAs.
• Support audits and ensure compliance with quality, safety, and regulatory standards.
• Promote continuous improvement projects and visual management.
• Collaborate with Production, Planning, Procurement and Supply Chain to support production plans.
• Identify and eliminate process inefficiencies to improve material flow and performance.
• Champion 5S and workplace organisation standards.
• Guide sustainability projects and waste reduction programmes.
• Develop and monitor departmental measurements and reporting of safety, service and productivity.
• Manage departmental resources and cost control while maintaining service and compliance.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Health & Safety

Regulatory awareness

Tools

ERP systems

Warehouse management systems

Job description

PPG Industries

Stowmarket

You will manage the safe, compliant and efficient management of raw materials, packaging, stores and labelling operations to ensure uninterrupted supply to manufacturing and fulfilment of site production plans. You will manage inventory accuracy, material availability, regulatory compliance and people leadership, operational excellence and continuous improvement across the department. You will ensure materials are received, stored, controlled and issued effectively while driving improvements in safety, quality, service, cost and productivity.

You will report to the Site Operations Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and promote a Health, Safety and Environmental (EHS) culture across Raw Materials and Stores operations, ensuring compliance with all site, statutory and company requirements.
• Lead incident investigations, risk assessments, training compliance, SOP governance, ergonomic assessments, and continuous improvement activities to reduce safety risks and improve operational performance.
• Ensure compliance with COMAH, ATEX, environmental and other relevant regulatory requirements applicable to raw material storage and handling.
• Manage and maintain Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) procedures and documentation, ensuring safe isolation practices are implemented and adhered to when required.
• Lead and manage the Stores, Raw Materials and Labelling teams.
• Ensure accurate inventory management, stock control and material traceability, maintaining appropriate stock levels to support production requirements while minimising working capital and waste.
• Coordinate the receipt, storage and distribution of raw materials, packaging and consumables to ensure uninterrupted production operations.
• Ensure quality standards are maintained throughout material handling and storage processes, leading root cause investigations and implementing corrective and preventive actions.
• Support internal and external audits and ensure all departmental activities comply with relevant quality, safety and regulatory standards.
• Promote operational excellence through the implementation of structured continuous improvement projects, including Process Tracker, Communication Boards, visual management and standard work practices.
• Partner with Production, Planning, Procurement and Supply Chain teams to ensure material availability supports the weekly and monthly production plans.
• Identify and eliminate process inefficiencies, reducing cycle times, improving material flow and enhancing overall operational performance.
• Champion 5S and workplace organisation standards to improve safety, efficiency, employee engagement and visual management across the department.
• Guide sustainability projects and waste reduction programmes, supporting site environmental and cost improvement goals.
• Develop and monitor departmental measurements, reporting performance and implementing actions to improve safety, service, inventory accuracy, cost and productivity.
• Manage departmental resources, ensuring cost control while maintaining high service, quality and compliance standards.
• Lead inventory accuracy programmes, including cycle counting, stock reconciliation and investigation of inventory variances to achieve site inventory accuracy targets.
• Manage supplier and third-party warehouse performance related to inbound materials, storage and delivery service levels.

Qualifications

• 2-5 years' management experience within a manufacturing, warehousing, supply chain, materials management or operational environment.
• Experience of stores, warehouse, logistics or raw material operations within a manufacturing environment. Experience in the coatings, chemical or process manufacturing industry is desirable.
• Knowledge of warehousing principles, storage methodologies and material handling practices.
• Understanding of manufacturing operations and supply chain concepts.
• Experience using ERP, warehouse management and inventory systems.

About Us

PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD

Through leadership in innovation, sustainability and color, PPG helps customers in industrial, transportation, consumer products, and construction markets and aftermarkets to enhance more surfaces in more ways than does any other company. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com and follow @PPG on X.

The PPG Way 2030

We are customer champions

Proactive. Bold. Trustworthy. Everything we do starts with our customers. We listen, move fast and don’t stop until we solve their biggest challenges. When our customers win, we all grow.

We act with purpose and speed

Agile. Data-driven. Empowered. We take smart risks to stay ahead of the competition. We work proactively with agility, using quality data to develop solutions that create value.

We are excellent operators

Productive. Collaborative. Accountable. No matter our role, we identify problems, take ownership and always bring solutions. We are both proactive and responsive to drive continuous improvement and deliver results. We support our frontline, the faces of PPG to our customers.

We compete to win

Future-focused. Driven. Ambitious. We are passionate about growing our business and winning with our customers. We deliver results, embrace new technologies and leverage agility and speed as strengths.

We are PPG proud

Strong. United. Passionate. We work safely, act with integrity and value our diverse perspectives. We celebrate achievements and take pride in the positive impact we create together to protect and beautify the world.

At PPG we use AI in the hiring process to make the process more efficient. AI tools do not make hiring decisions. You can learn more by going to https://careers.ppg.com/us/en/candidate-resources.

PPG provides equal opportunity to all candidates and employees. We offer an opportunity to grow and develop your career in an environment that provides a fulfilling workplace for employees, creates an environment for continuous learning, and embraces the ideas and diversity of others. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, pregnancy, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, disability status, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

If you need an adjustment due to a disability, please email [e-mail].

PPG pay ranges and benefits can vary by location which allows us to compensate employees competitively in different geographic markets. PPG considers several factors in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, qualifications and education, licensure and certifications, and other organizational needs. Other incentives may apply.

Our employee benefits programs are designed to support the health and well-being of our employees. Any insurance coverages and benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents. Benefits will be discussed with you by your recruiter during the hiring process.

PPG values your feedback on our recruiting process. We encourage you to visit Glassdoor.com and provide feedback on the process, so that we can do better today than yesterday.