Materials Controller: Inventory & Demand Planner

Materials Controller: Inventory & Demand Planner

Full-Time 30424 - 33323 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Northern Powergrid

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Coordinate materials for engineering teams, ensuring timely availability and accurate inventory management.
  • Company: Join Northern Powergrid, powering 8 million customers in a dynamic energy sector.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, 25 days holiday, flexible working, and a company car cash scheme.
  • Other info: Great opportunity for career growth in a supportive and innovative environment.
  • Why this job: Be part of an evolving industry and make a real impact on energy delivery.
  • Qualifications: Degree or equivalent experience in materials control, logistics, or procurement.

The predicted salary is between 30424 - 33323 £ per year.

Do you want to help power your career and be part of an evolving energy industry? An excellent opportunity has arisen for a Materials Controller to join our Commercial team. Northern Powergrid is responsible for powering everyday life for 8 million customers across 3.9 million homes and businesses in the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire. As the energy industry continues to transform through investment, innovation and decarbonisation, reliable access to materials, equipment and supplier support is critical to keeping our network operating safely and effectively.

As a Materials Controller, you will play an important part in ensuring our operational and engineering teams have the right materials, in the right place, at the right time. You will support material availability, supplier coordination, stock accuracy and demand planning across a range of operational requirements. This is a varied and important role, working closely with engineering teams, suppliers, procurement, standards and wider business stakeholders to help maintain service delivery, support planned work and respond to changing operational priorities.

Along with a competitive salary between £30,424 - £33,323 we also offer great benefits such as:

  • 25 days holiday (increasing with tenure) plus bank holidays
  • Agile & Flexible Working
  • Enrolment in a Company Car Cash Scheme.

We’re looking for someone who is organised, analytical and confident working with people, systems and data. If you have experience in materials control, logistics, inventory management, procurement support or a similar operational environment, apply now and we’ll be in touch.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be accountable for:

  • Coordinating material and equipment requests from engineering and operational teams, ensuring requirements are clearly understood, prioritised and progressed.
  • Supporting the availability of critical materials required for planned work, operational delivery and emerging business needs.
  • Creating, progressing and managing orders in Oracle, ensuring information is accurate and aligned to business requirements.
  • Arranging deliveries to Northern Powergrid locations and direct-to-site locations, working with suppliers and internal teams to meet required dates.
  • Liaising with suppliers to confirm order progress, delivery dates, availability, lead times and issue resolution.
  • Supporting demand profiling by analysing usage patterns, supplier lead times and operational requirements.
  • Maintaining accurate materials and inventory data, including data input, reporting and query management.
  • Supporting effective stock management, including stock checks, stocktaking activity and investigation of discrepancies.
  • Managing Northern Powergrid stock items in line with business processes and operational requirements.
  • Working with procurement and standards colleagues to support compliant ordering and appropriate material selection.
  • Resolving business, supplier and invoice queries in a timely and professional manner.
  • Supporting supplier coordination and escalating delivery, performance or contract issues where required.
  • Attending business interface meetings both on-site and off-site at various Northern Powergrid locations.
  • Using data analysis to help identify material trends, demand profiles, supply risks and opportunities for improvement.
Qualifications and Attributes

Essential Qualifications and Experience:

  • Educated to Degree standard or able to demonstrate equivalent relevant experience.
  • Experience in materials control, stores, logistics, inventory, procurement support or a similar operational environment.
  • Confident user of Microsoft 365 products, particularly Excel, Outlook and Teams.
  • Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise work effectively.
  • Good communication skills, with confidence dealing with internal customers and external suppliers.
  • Understanding of stock management, supplier lead times, demand planning or procurement processes.
  • Full UK driving licence, due to the requirement to attend Northern Powergrid and supplier locations as needed.
  • 2 A Levels or equivalent.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience:

  • Experience using Oracle or a similar enterprise resource planning system.
  • Experience using Oracle Inventory and/or Procurement modules.
  • Previous experience in utilities, engineering, construction, manufacturing, logistics or infrastructure.
  • Working towards, or willing to work towards, a relevant professional qualification.

We may close this advert early if we receive a high volume of applications. Applicants are considered on the basis of their suitability for the post irrespective of sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender re-assignment, race, age or disability, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

Materials Controller: Inventory & Demand Planner employer: Northern Powergrid

At Northern Powergrid, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters growth and innovation in the evolving energy sector. Our commitment to employee well-being is reflected in our competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, and flexible working arrangements, all while providing opportunities for professional development and collaboration with diverse teams across the North East, Yorkshire, and northern Lincolnshire. Join us to make a meaningful impact in powering everyday life for millions while enjoying a supportive and inclusive workplace culture.

Northern Powergrid

Contact Details:

Northern Powergrid Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Materials Controller: Inventory & Demand Planner

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 values. Understand their operations and how your skills as a Materials Controller can make a difference. Tailor your answers to show you’re the perfect fit!

Tip Number 3

Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or family to build your confidence. Focus on articulating your experience in materials control and how it aligns with the role at Northern Powergrid.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.

We think you need these skills to ace Materials Controller: Inventory & Demand Planner

Materials Control
Inventory Management
Demand Planning
Logistics Coordination
Supplier Management
Data Analysis
Oracle ERP

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Materials Controller role. Highlight your experience in materials control, logistics, and inventory management. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the energy industry and how your background makes you a great fit for our team. Keep it engaging and relevant to the job description.

Show Off Your Analytical Skills:Since this role involves demand planning and data analysis, be sure to mention any relevant experience you have with these tasks. We love candidates who can demonstrate their analytical prowess and problem-solving abilities!

Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Northern Powergrid!

How to prepare for a job interview at Northern Powergrid

Know Your Materials Inside Out

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of materials control and inventory management. Understand the key processes involved, such as stock management and supplier coordination, so you can confidently discuss how your experience aligns with the role.

Show Off Your Analytical Skills

Be prepared to talk about how you've used data analysis in previous roles. Think of specific examples where you've identified trends or improved processes. This will demonstrate your ability to support demand profiling and manage inventory effectively.

Communicate Like a Pro

Since this role involves liaising with various teams and suppliers, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Prepare to discuss how you've successfully communicated with stakeholders in the past, especially when resolving queries or managing competing priorities.

Get Familiar with Oracle

If you have experience with Oracle or similar ERP systems, be ready to share that knowledge. If not, do a bit of research on how these systems work, particularly in relation to order management and inventory tracking, as it’s crucial for the role.