Supply Chain Operations Manager

We're looking for an experienced Supply Chain Operations Manager to lead materials, inventory, stores, tooling, and logistics operations within our Train Maintenance Centre (TMC). This is a highly visible leadership position where you'll be responsible for ensuring the seamless flow of materials, tools, and services that keep our fleets operating safely, efficiently, and reliably. You'll lead a dedicated team, manage supplier performance, and drive continuous improvement across supply chain operations, helping to maximise fleet availability and operational performance. Whether your experience comes from rail, manufacturing, aerospace, defence, utilities, or another complex operational environment, this is an opportunity to apply your expertise within a critical, fast-paced maintenance operation.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead all materials, inventory, stores, and logistics activities supporting maintenance delivery and fleet availability.
• Ensure the right materials, tools, and critical assets are available at the right time to support operational requirements.
• Drive best practice in stock control, inventory management, governance, and material availability.
• Develop and lead a high-performing team, fostering engagement, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Promote a strong health, safety, and compliance culture across all supply chain activities.
• Manage supplier and third-party logistics (3PL) relationships to ensure service excellence and value for money.
• Oversee tooling, calibration (IMTE), and asset readiness to support safe and efficient maintenance operations.
• Lead audits, mitigate risk, and ensure compliance with company, customer, and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate closely with procurement, engineering, maintenance, and systems teams to improve processes, performance, and operational efficiency.
• Monitor budgets, control costs, and identify opportunities to improve productivity and service levels.
• You'll be a people-focused leader with strong operational experience and a passion for delivering supply chain excellence in a complex environment.

You’ll bring:

• Proven experience managing supply chain, materials, inventory, stores, warehouse, or logistics operations.
• Strong leadership skills with experience developing and motivating high-performing teams.
• Sound knowledge of inventory control, stock governance, material planning, and operational processes.
• Experience managing budgets and identifying cost-saving opportunities.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• The ability to make informed decisions in a fast-paced operational environment.
• A full UK Driving Licence with no more than six penalty points.

Desirable Experience

• Experience within rail, engineering, manufacturing, aerospace, defence, utilities, or other safety-critical environments.
• Knowledge of SAP or similar ERP, asset, or inventory management systems.
• Professional qualifications in Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations, Warehouse, or Inventory Management.
• Experience driving continuous improvement initiatives and operational excellence programmes.

Why Join Us?

This is more than a supply chain role. You'll play a critical part in supporting a vital maintenance operation, ensuring materials, tooling, and logistics services are in place to keep our fleets moving and our customers connected. We're looking for someone who can bring fresh thinking, strong leadership, and operational expertise to help shape the future of our supply chain function. We welcome applications from candidates across rail, manufacturing, aerospace, defence, automotive, utilities, engineering, and logistics sectors who can bring transferable skills and experience into this exciting opportunity. #LI-GF1 Thank you for your interest in Hitachi Rail. If your application is of interest, we will be in contact. Please do not hesitate to discover more about us and our latest jobs at . At Hitachi Rail, there is a place for everyone.

We welcome and value differences in background, age, gender, sexuality, family status, disability, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, and world view.

It is our commitment to create an inclusive environment - we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

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