Manager, Operations Management/Planning/Transport

Manager, Operations Management/Planning/Transport

Full-Time 50000 - 65000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead materials planning and inventory management for innovative gaming products.
  • Company: Join Light & Wonder, a leader in land-based gaming technology.
  • Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous holiday, and wellness perks.
  • Other info: Collaborate with diverse teams and drive operational excellence.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic, data-driven environment.
  • Qualifications: Experience in materials planning and strong analytical skills required.

The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.

Welcome to the world of land-based gaming. At Light & Wonder, it’s all about the games, and our Gaming team builds cutting-edge technology, products, and content for the most iconic casinos and operators across the globe.

Position Summary

We’re building a modern, resilient materials planning capability that supports Light & Wonder’s global gaming hardware portfolio, from new product launches to sustained, high‐volume production. As Manager, Materials Management/ Planning you’ll play a pivotal, hands‐on role in shaping how materials, inventory, and data flow across the business, helping define how we plan, execute, and scale now and in the future. This role offers genuine ownership. You’ll operate at the core of our operations driving strategy, improving critical planning systems and processes, and leading performance‐critical initiatives around service, inventory accuracy, and cost. Working closely with manufacturing, engineering, finance, IT, purchasing and logistics teams, you’ll lead in an agile, data‐driven environment where your decisions have visible, business‐wide impact.

We're looking for people who are full of ideas, want to challenge the norm and work to our core values:

  • Dare to be Bold - We always bring courage to work to reach for the unbelievable.
  • Uphold Integrity - We promote accountability and respect to raise the bar for ourselves and the industry.
  • Never Settle - We relentlessly push forward to create the extraordinary in every detail.
  • Celebrate Perspectives - We combine diverse talent to look at the familiar in unfamiliar ways.
  • Win as a Team – We bring out the best in each other to share collective success.

Key Responsibilities

  • Own end-to-end materials and inventory planning to support production, global distribution, and new product launches.
  • Translate demand and SIOP inputs into reliable, executable material plans, ensuring strong on-time parts availability.
  • Manage long lead-time and constrained components to maintain supply continuity.
  • Lead inventory optimisation, including safety stock strategy, lifecycle planning, and accuracy improvement initiatives.
  • Drive best-in-class inventory control through robust cycle counting and reduce excess, ageing, and obsolete stock.
  • Champion operational excellence through Lean and Six Sigma initiatives, improving planning and material handling efficiency.
  • Drive continuous improvement through process standardisation, redesign, and corrective actions, supporting transport and shipping where needed.
  • Leverage data and automation (SQL, VBA, BI tools) to streamline processes and reduce manual effort.
  • Partner with IT to enhance MRP, RMA, and materials systems, delivering clear reporting and actionable insights.
  • Lead and develop high-performing teams across materials planning, inventory control, and transport operations.
  • Manage third-party logistics partners to ensure accurate, on-time, in-full delivery and high customer satisfaction.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally and present confidently to senior stakeholders, using data to influence decision-making.

What you'll bring to the role

  • Strong experience in materials planning, inventory management, or supply chain leadership.
  • A proven track record of improving service levels, inventory accuracy, and cost performance.
  • Advanced data and analytics capability, including automation and reporting.
  • Experience in manufacturing, electronics, or hardware‐based environments.

Desirable:

  • SIOP experience.
  • Exposure and understanding of regulated or global manufacturing environments.
  • Confidence leading teams and influencing cross‐functional stakeholders.

Qualifications

  • Lean / Six Sigma or APICS certification.

What can we offer you?

  • Discretionary Annual performance bonus.
  • 25 days' holiday plus bank holidays.
  • Hybrid working.
  • 1 day paid leave to work on charitable projects.
  • 1 day paid for personal celebration e.g. birthdays.
  • Half Day for Health (encouraging you to take time away for you & your wellbeing).
  • Up to 8% employer pension contributions.
  • A reward platform offering a cycle to work scheme and shopping and lifestyle discounts/cashback.
  • Wellbeing benefits including Private Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance and Aviva DigiCare.
  • Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
  • Optional benefits such as Tastecard, Give As You Earn and Travel Ticket Loan.

Please note, we are unable to sponsor visas at this time. If you require visa sponsorship now or in the future we will not be able to progress with your application.

This job description should not be interpreted as all-inclusive; it is intended to identify major responsibilities and requirements of the job. The employee in this position may be requested to perform other job-related tasks and responsibilities than those stated above.

Manager, Operations Management/Planning/Transport employer: Light & Wonder, Inc.

At Light & Wonder, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Located in Chadderton, our hybrid working model allows for flexibility while providing comprehensive benefits such as a discretionary annual performance bonus, generous holiday allowance, and wellbeing initiatives. We are committed to employee growth, encouraging continuous improvement and professional development within a supportive team environment, making it a truly rewarding place to build your career.

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Contact Details:

Light & Wonder, Inc. Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Manager, Operations Management/Planning/Transport

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values, like 'Dare to be Bold' and 'Win as a Team', so you can show how you fit right in with their vibe.

Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience in materials planning and inventory management makes you the perfect fit for the role. Keep it concise and impactful.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team.

We think you need these skills to ace Manager, Operations Management/Planning/Transport

Materials Planning
Inventory Management
Supply Chain Leadership
Data Analysis
Automation (SQL, VBA, BI tools)
Lean Six Sigma
Process Standardisation

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the job description. Highlight your materials planning and inventory management experience, as well as any data analytics skills you have. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about operations management and how your background aligns with our core values. Be bold and show us your personality – we love a good story!

Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to improve service levels and inventory accuracy. Numbers speak volumes, so if you’ve led successful projects or initiatives, let us know!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Light & Wonder, Inc.

Know Your Numbers

As a Manager in Operations Management, you'll need to demonstrate your data-driven mindset. Brush up on key metrics related to materials planning and inventory management. Be ready to discuss how you've used data analytics to improve service levels or reduce costs in previous roles.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

This role involves leading high-performing teams, so be prepared to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Highlight your experience in influencing cross-functional stakeholders and driving operational excellence through Lean and Six Sigma initiatives.

Understand the Business

Familiarise yourself with Light & Wonder's gaming industry and their operations. Research their products and recent developments. This will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also show your genuine interest in the company and its mission.

Prepare for Scenario Questions

Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think about challenges you've faced in materials planning or inventory control and how you overcame them. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses clearly.