Raw Material and Stores Manager

You will manage the safe, compliant and efficient management of raw materials, packaging, stores and labelling operations to ensure uninterrupted supply to manufacturing and fulfilment of site production plans. You will manage inventory accuracy, material availability, regulatory compliance and people leadership, operational excellence and continuous improvement across the department. You will ensure materials are received, stored, controlled and issued effectively while driving improvements in safety, quality, service, cost and productivity.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and promote a Health, Safety and Environmental (EHS) culture across Raw Materials and Stores operations, ensuring compliance with all site, statutory and company requirements.
• Lead incident investigations, risk assessments, training compliance, SOP governance, ergonomic assessments, and continuous improvement activities to reduce safety risks and improve operational performance.
• Ensure compliance with COMAH, ATEX, environmental and other relevant regulatory requirements applicable to raw material storage and handling.
• Manage and maintain Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) procedures and documentation, ensuring safe isolation practices are implemented and adhered to when required.
• Lead and manage the Stores, Raw Materials and Labelling teams.
• Ensure accurate inventory management, stock control and material traceability, maintaining appropriate stock levels to support production requirements while minimising working capital and waste.
• Coordinate the receipt, storage and distribution of raw materials, packaging and consumables to ensure uninterrupted production operations.
• Ensure quality standards are maintained throughout material handling and storage processes, leading root cause investigations and implementing corrective and preventive actions.
• Support internal and external audits and ensure all departmental activities comply with relevant quality, safety and regulatory standards.
• Promote operational excellence through the implementation of structured continuous improvement projects, including Process Tracker, Communication Boards, visual management and standard work practices.
• Partner with Production, Planning, Procurement and Supply Chain teams to ensure material availability supports the weekly and monthly production plans.
• Identify and eliminate process inefficiencies, reducing cycle times, improving material flow and enhancing overall operational performance.
• Champion 5S and workplace organisation standards to improve safety, efficiency, employee engagement and visual management across the department.
• Guide sustainability projects and waste reduction programmes, supporting site environmental and cost improvement goals.
• Develop and monitor departmental measurements, reporting performance and implementing actions to improve safety, service, inventory accuracy, cost and productivity.
• Manage departmental resources, ensuring cost control while maintaining high service, quality and compliance standards.
• Lead inventory accuracy programmes, including cycle counting, stock reconciliation and investigation of inventory variances to achieve site inventory accuracy targets.
• Manage supplier and third-party warehouse performance related to inbound materials, storage and delivery service levels.

Qualifications

• 2-5 years' management experience within a manufacturing, warehousing, supply chain, materials management or operational environment.
• Experience of stores, warehouse, logistics or raw material operations within a manufacturing environment. Experience in the coatings, chemical or process manufacturing industry is desirable.
• Knowledge of warehousing principles, storage methodologies and material handling practices.
• Understanding of manufacturing operations and supply chain concepts.
• Experience using ERP, warehouse management and inventory systems.