Stores Lead in Ashford

Location: Ashford, Kent

Job Type: Permanent - Fulltime

Job ID: SF19512

Are you ready to be part of the future? At QinetiQ, we’re not just imagining tomorrow we are creating it. From cutting-edge defence technology to ground-breaking innovations our mission is to empower and protect lives. Join us as a Stores Lead at our Ashford, Kent site, where you will have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology in partnership with some of the most brilliant minds.

About the role

We are currently recruiting for a Stores Lead to join QinetiQ Target Systems (QTS) within our Production Team. QTS is a wholly owned subsidiary of QinetiQ Group PLC, specialising in the design and manufacture of a range of state-of-the-art Unmanned Aerial and Surface Target systems, including the world-leading Banshee target. QTS targets are used to enable realistic weapons test and evaluation and operator training in over 40 countries worldwide, with QTS providing a complete managed service in over 15 of these countries.

What will I be doing?

Reporting to the Production Manager, you will be responsible for ensuring the effective use of people, systems, and resources to support business operations by delivering accurate goods receipt, storage, kitting, inventory control, and despatch activities on time and in full. The Stores Lead sets and maintains high standards of Safety, Quality, inventory accuracy, and customer service, driving team performance and accountability.

• Manage end-to-end Stores operations, including goods receipt, storage, kitting, inventory control, and despatch, including customer owned property, to support on time in full delivery.
• Manage team performance, including PDRs, 1-1’s, development, recruitment and KPI’s.
• Manage inventory management, including cycle counting, stock reconciliation, batch/lot/serial number control, and ERP data integrity.
• Set and sustain high standards of Safety, Quality, performance and customer service, ensuring team accountability.
• Ensure Health & Safety and Quality compliance, including the ownership of the Stores risk assessments.
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives, optimising efficiency, accuracy, process, space and delivery.
• Perform additional tasks / duties where required, as directed by the Production Manager.

What do I need?

You will have demonstrable experience in team performance management, including setting objectives, monitoring KPIs, conducting PDRs, and driving accountability. You’ll be an excellent communicator and have strong verbal and written communication skills to influence, guide, and provide clear direction to team members and stakeholders.

We also ask that you have knowledge of:

• Inventory & materials management: Deep understanding of inventory control processes, stock accuracy, batch/lot/serial tracking, cycle counting, and material handling best practices.
• ERP Expertise: Proficient in ERP-based stock management, transaction processing, reporting, and maintaining data integrity.
• Planning & Execution: Strong organisational and planning skills to manage resources effectively, meet demands, and ensure goods are delivered on time and in full.
• Continuous Improvement & Problem Solving: Skilled in identifying inefficiencies, implementing improvements, and optimising processes for accuracy, productivity, and service quality.
• Health, Safety & Quality Compliance: Knowledge of H&S risk assessments, and ISO9001 in a manufacturing environment.
• A Formal qualification in supply chain, operations, or stores / warehouse management would be a distinct advantage.

Why Join QinetiQ?

As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges. As a QinetiQ employee, you’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experiences enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you’ll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential.

Our Benefits:

• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance.
• Competitive holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days.
• Options to join Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance.
• Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more.
• We are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.
• Volunteering Opportunities - helping charities and local community.

Our Recruitment Process:

We want to make sure that our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible and we aspire to bring out the best in our candidates by creating an environment where everyone feels valued, heard and supported. If you have a disability or health condition that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your Recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments. Many roles in QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting being completed, applicants who already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment. A number of roles are also subject to additional restrictions, which means factors such as nationality or previous nationalities may affect the roles that you can be employed in.