Materials And Logistics Manager
23 hours ago
Sunderland
Materials & Logistics Manager sought by a world leader in the manufacture of automotive components. The company provides quality products, services and solutions worldwide to customers in over 150 countries. Due to an internal promotion, they seek a senior materials management professional to join their Sunderland team as the Materials & Logistics Manager. Your role as Materials & Logistics Manager: Reporting to the Operations Manager, you will be responsible for a team of Materials Expeditors and a Materials Supervisor operating in a fast-paced, customer-driven JIT environment. JIT Materials Planning & Control • Ensure continuous material availability to support JIT production with zero line stoppages, • Manage supplier call-offs, sequenced releases, and short lead-time adjustments driven by customer schedule changes, • Lead expediting activities to mitigate material shortages and supply risk, • Proactively identify potential disruptions and implement effective recovery and contingency plans, • Maintain accuracy of MRP parameters, BOMs, and sequencing data to support JIT performance, • Operate confidently with large and complex data sets (e.g. 1,500 part numbers with multiple data attributes) Logistics & Warehousing • Oversee inbound, internal, and line-side logistics within a low-inventory, high-velocity JIT environment, • Ensure efficient goods receipt, storage, picking, kitting, and line feeding, • Maintain high standards of inventory accuracy, FIFO, traceability, and space optimisation, • Minimise premium freight and non–value-added handling Leadership & Financial Accountability • Lead, motivate, and develop materials and warehouse teams operating across shifts, • 5 x direct reports: 4 x Expeditors and 1 x Materials Supervisor, • Set clear expectations aligned to KPIs such as OTIF, material availability and line stoppage prevention, • Manage MP&L budgets, inventory investment and freight spend, identifying ongoing cost reduction opportunities, • Ensure full compliance with company policies and procedures Supplier, Customer & Cross-Functional Interface • Act as the primary escalation point for suppliers within the JIT supply chain, • Work closely with Production, Quality, Finance and Customer teams to respond rapidly to schedule fluctuations, • Manage model phase-out activity to minimise obsolescence and support robust customer liability recovery, • Provide accurate forecasting and KPI reporting using designated SCM tools, • Support customer audits, launches and internal reviews Continuous Improvement • Drive lean logistics initiatives, including kanban systems and line-side optimisation, • Improve inventory turns while protecting production continuity, • Track and improve performance across material availability, inventory accuracy, premium freight and supplier delivery Your experience as Materials & Logistics Manager: • Proven leadership experience in Materials, Logistics or Supply Chain within a JIT automotive, manufacturing or engineering environment, • Strong knowledge of JIT operations, schedule volatility and risk management, • Experience leading materials expediting and warehouse teams, • Strong ERP/MRP knowledge with a data-driven approach to decision making, • Degree or equivalent experience in Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations or related discipline, • Experience of end to end material and logistics management with focus on inbound freight, • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, • Strong people leadership capability with a results-focused mindset, • Proficient in Microsoft Office, • Will consider relocators at own expense Desirable experience: • Working knowledge of QAD and/or SAP, • Familiarity with IATF 16949, • Professional logistics qualification Benefits Package: • Salary from £58,000 depending on experience, • Optional 9 day working fortnight, • Employee well-being program, • Occupational health & physiotherapy availability, • Ongoing training and career development, • Access to High Street discounts & benefits, • Reward & Recognition awards, • Employee Assistance Program (available for family members too) 24/7, 365 days, • 24/7 Virtual GP (available for family members too), • 26 days holiday + bank holidays, increasing with service, • Enhanced pension scheme and death in service benefits, • Cycle to work salary sacrifice scheme, • Onsite facilities including free parking, • Potential to travel and support other sites and initiatives Materials & Logistics Manager Sunderland, Tyne & Wear From £58,000 depending on experience + benefits