At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team managing materials for train maintenance operations.
- Company: Join Hitachi Rail, a global leader in digital transformation and technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, 25 days holiday, and flexible benefits.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in materials management and strong leadership abilities required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
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.
Your new role
As a Materials Team Leader, you’ll play a vital role in leading the stores operation within a Train Maintenance Centre (TMC). This is a hands‑on, onsite leadership position, responsible for ensuring materials, spares, tools, and equipment are managed safely, efficiently, and accurately to support critical maintenance operations. You’ll lead a team of Materials Operatives, ensuring strong stock control, system accuracy, and process compliance—helping keep our fleets moving and our services running seamlessly.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, coach, and develop the stores team to deliver safe, high‑quality performance
- Manage stock control, materials availability, and inventory accuracy to support maintenance operations
- Ensure compliance with Health & Safety, COSHH, and storage standards across all materials activities
- Oversee SAP transactions, ensuring all goods movements, issues, and adjustments are accurate and timely
- Monitor and improve KPIs relating to stock performance, availability, and operational efficiency
- Support audits and ensure materials, tools, and equipment meet compliance and governance standards
- Manage procure‑to‑pay activities, resolving invoice and transactional queries where needed
- Drive continuous improvement across stores processes, layout, and systems
About You
We’re looking for a proactive and driven leader who thrives in a fast‑paced operational environment.
- Proven experience in materials, stores, or warehouse management, including team leadership
- Strong understanding of stock control, materials processes, and operational KPIs
- Confidence using systems such as SAP or similar inventory/ERP platforms (or the ability to quickly learn)
- Excellent organisational and communication skills
- A hands‑on, problem‑solving mindset with a focus on continuous improvement
Desirable (but not essential)
- Experience within rail, heavy engineering, manufacturing, or other safety‑critical environments
- Knowledge of Lean principles or process improvement methodologies
- NVQ or equivalent in warehousing, logistics, or supply chain
What We Offer
We value the importance of all our employees. When you join us, you could be entitled to:
- Competitive salary
- Annual performance‑related bonus opportunity
- 25 days holiday
- Pension scheme with contributions up to 9%
- Private medical insurance
- Personal accident insurance
- Group income protection & life insurance
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Flexible benefits to suit your lifestyle
Equal Opportunity
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.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Materials Team Leader in England
✨Get Involved in Industry Events
Logistics and supply chain are all about networking, so hit up those trade shows and local meetups. Places like the UK's Logistics and Supply Chain conference can be goldmines for connecting with potential employers like Hitachi Rail and learning about the latest trends in the industry.
✨Leverage Online Communities
Join forums and LinkedIn groups specifically for logistics professionals. Share your insights and ask questions to get noticed. Being active in these spaces can help you establish credibility and might just lead to an opportunity at Hitachi Rail!
✨Showcase Your Skills with a Portfolio
Even if it’s a full-time gig, having a portfolio can really set you apart. Include case studies or projects that demonstrate your understanding of supply chain management, logistics software, or solving operational challenges. You’d be surprised at how much this can impress hiring managers.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don't forget the power of applying directly through our website! A lot of companies like Hitachi Rail keep job postings exclusive to their sites. This way, you can easily keep track of your applications and ensure your profile is in front of the right people.
We think you need these skills to ace Materials Team Leader in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Supply Chain Savvy:In your CV and cover letter, make sure to highlight your understanding of logistics and supply chain management principles. Mention any relevant courses you've taken or tools you've used, like inventory management software or data analysis platforms, to showcase your skills and keep up with best practices in the industry.
Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your previous work experience, remember to use numbers wherever possible. Did you improve delivery times by a specific percentage? Did you help reduce costs? These kinds of quantified achievements not only catch the eye but also demonstrate your capability in the logistics sector.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Hitachi Rail:This is your chance to really connect with the team at Hitachi Rail. In your cover letter, express why you're passionate about supply chain logistics and how your goals align with the company’s mission. A little personalisation goes a long way!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you've got any certifications related to logistics or supply chain management—like APICS or Six Sigma—make sure you flaunt them! These show that you're committed to your professional development and can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hitachi Rail
✨Know Your Logistics Tools
Make sure you're familiar with key logistics software and tools like SAP or Oracle ERP. These are often used in the industry, and being able to demonstrate your knowledge or experience with them can really set you apart during your interview with Hitachi Rail.
✨Perfect Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect to tackle scenarios that showcase your problem-solving skills. Think about past experiences where you've had to optimise supply chains or handle logistics challenges. Have a few examples ready to discuss how you made decisions that led to improvements.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
Supply chain roles heavily rely on teamwork and communication. Be prepared to discuss how you've collaborated with others in previous roles. Maybe share a time when you coordinated with a team to resolve a logistical hiccup. This can show Hitachi Rail that you're a team player!
✨Understand the Big Picture
Be ready to talk about the broader logistics and supply chain trends. Having insights into current challenges in the industry, like sustainability or lead times, can impress the interviewers at Hitachi Rail. Show them you’re not just focused on the day-to-day but also have a strategic mindset!
