Materials Manager

Materials ManagerLocation: Ipswich (with regular travel)

Day Rate: £250 - £350 - DOE (Inside IR35)Contract Length: 6 Months

Our client, a leading name in rail, is seeking a proactive Materials Manager to lead the transformation of stores operations across three key sites.

The Role

Based in Ipswich reporting into the Fleet Manager, you'll take ownership of stores operations at Ipswich and two other key sites. This is a hands-on, multi-site role requiring both strategic thinking and practical execution. While Ipswich will serve as the central hub, this is a mobile role with regular expensed travel. You'll work closely with transport planners, depot managers, and material controllers to ensure materials are stored, moved, and managed efficiently.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the organisation and day-to-day management of materials / stores at Ipswich and two other key locations.
• Develop and implement strategies for storing overflow goods safely and efficiently.
• Collaborate with the Transport Planner to coordinate the movement of materials between sites.
• Set up and maintain well-organised, functional stores environments that support operational needs.
• Apply a hands-on, logistical approach to managing stock, layout, and material flow.
• Ensure accurate inventory control and timely availability of parts and materials.
• Drive continuous improvement in stores processes, layout, and efficiency.
• Promote a culture of safety, compliance, and teamwork across all stores operations.

Candidate Requirements

• Proven experience in managing materials and stores operations, ideally within a rail or heavy engineering environment (rail preferred but not essential).
• Strong understanding of how to set up and maintain an efficient, well-organised stores function.
• Comfortable applying both logistical planning and a hands-on approach to daily operations.
• Able to liaise effectively with key stakeholders including Transport Planners, Depot Managers, and Material Controllers.
• Willingness to travel frequently between Ipswich and other depots.
• Experience in managing multiple stores is beneficial but not essential.
• Ability to quickly learn the in-house EAM asset management system (prior familiarity is a plus).
• Capable of setting up systems and processes that ensure smooth and consistent stores operations across multiple sites.

Additional InformationAll Travel and accommodation costs related to site visits will be covered by the client.

How to apply for the role: If you are interested in the Materials Manager role, then please apply via this job board. For more information, please get in touch with the Consultant listed on this page.

About Ford & Stanley Group

Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group are in the business of people and performance. Our mission is to create one million better workdays through facilitating great recruitment, leadership and occupational mental fitness. We support our clients in their most challenging business areas - recruiting, developing and retaining the best talent from shop floor to boardroom.

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Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group Ltd is a Disability Confident employer that is committed to a policy of equal opportunities for all opportunity seekers. We shall adhere to such a policy at all times and will review on an on-going basis all aspects of recruitment to avoid unlawful or undesirable discrimination. We will treat everyone equally irrespective sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, age, disability, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief or political beliefs and we place an obligation upon all staff to respect and act in accordance with the policy.

Services advertised by Ford & Stanley are that of an employment consultancy business.