Inventory Optimization Lead: Stock Turn & Cost Control in Newcastle upon Tyne

Lawson Fuses is seeking an experienced Inventory Manager to lead and drive inventory optimization across sites and oversee the warehouse operation at the UK facility. The inventory manager will be accountable for the end-to-end inventory strategy, ensuring optimal stock availability at the lowest possible working-capital cost. Reporting directly to the General Manager, the role plays a critical part in reducing overall stock levels, improving inventory turns, and strengthening planning discipline across the supply chain. The role owns inventory classification, stock-level policies, and optimization rules with direct oversight of warehouse operations to ensure accuracy, control and execution. The role also provides light but effective quality control oversight, primarily focused on inbound materials, non-conformance and traceability.

Incorporated in 1938, Lawson Fuses Limited (LFL) is an established British and global brand that operates in the fusegear market with a focus on design, development and manufacture of low voltage High Rupture Capacity (HRC) fuse-links and associated fuse holders. LFL’s products are ASTA certified and comply with IEC/BS/ENA standards and accepted throughout the world. With manufacturing facilities based in UK and India, LFL’s global clientele is spread across several countries including UK, Middle East, Africa, India, Malaysia, Australia, South Korea and Hong Kong. With ISO 17025 ASTA certified R&D lab and ASTA certified manufacturing plants, LFL is keen on safety, quality and speed of product delivery. From 2018, LFL is part of Lucy Group which is a diversified international group headquartered in Oxford, UK and operates in multiple sectors including Power Distribution, Smart Lighting, Fusegear and Real Estate. Lawson Fuses, under the banner of Lucy Group, is focusing on accelerated growth of its product line and subsequently the share of the market.

This role will report to the General Manager of the business and focus on the following job dimensions:

• Inventory Classification and Segmentation
• Demand Understanding and Inventory Planning
• Inventory Optimisation and Stock Reduction
• Warehouse Oversight (Enabler Role)
• Quality Control (Inventory Centric)
• Governance, Reporting and Cross Functional Working
• Team Management

Currently, the warehouse team in the UK consists of 1 team leader and 2 warehouse operatives. This role will also oversee the inventory profile at our Indian site through support of the local logistics team in India. The role will closely work with the purchasing team in the UK and India to optimize the stock profile at both sites.

Key Accountabilities

• Design, maintain and continuously improve inventory classification frameworks (ABC, RRS, Star Products).
• Segment SKUs based on demand behaviour, inventory turnover, value contribution and profitability.
• Ensure warehouse stock is aligned to the value it brings to the business, not just historical holdings.
• Work with ERP (e.g., Dynamics 365) to enhance multi-dimensional item categorisation and reporting.
• Partner with sales and finance to ensure inventory policies reflect real demand and commercial reality.
• Translate demand signals into effective inventory strategies, recognising that understanding demand is core to inventory optimisation.
• Lead initiatives to reduce excess, slow-moving and obsolete inventory, with clear, measurable outcomes.
• Own stock-level control policies ensuring right goods.
• Define and track clear warehouse inventory KPIs (stock accuracy, adjustments and ageing stock).
• Oversee incoming goods inspection and quality related stock controls.
• Produce regular reports to senior team highlighting inventory value and trends, stock reduction progress, and risk to availability or cost.
• Provide day-to-day support and management for warehouse operatives, ensuring clear priorities, safe working practices, and high standards of stock discipline.

Qualifications, Experience & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Operations, Logistics, Engineering, Business, or a related discipline (or equivalent professional experience).
• Typically, 5–8 years’ experience in inventory, materials, or supply-chain management roles.
• Proven experience in inventory management and stock optimisation within a UK business environment.
• Strong capability in ERP/MRP systems (Dynamics 365 preferred) and advanced data analysis tools.
• Experience overseeing warehouse operations.
• Continuous improvement mindset (lean, KPIs, structured reviews).

Personal Attributes

• Commercially astute and outcome-driven.
• Confident influencing senior stakeholders.
• Analytical, structured, and detail oriented.
• Pragmatic, disciplined and improvement-focused.