Materials & Logistics Manager
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
- 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
- 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
- Working knowledge of QAD and/or SAP
- Familiarity with IATF 16949
Benefits Package
- Salary from £58,000 depending on experience
- Optional 9 day working fortnight
- 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
Location
Sunderland, Tyne & Wear
Salary
From £58,000 depending on experience + benefits
#J-18808-Ljbffr