Material & Inventory Controller

About the role

An established and growing food manufacturing business is looking for a hands-on Material & Inventory Controller to strengthen the link between production, warehouse and supply chain. You'll be equally comfortable analysing inventory data and transactions as you are walking the production floor, talking with operators, warehouse staff and understanding where the process gaps and inefficiencies are. The opportunity is broader than simply controlling stock. You'll help ensure production has the right materials available at the right time, improve inventory accuracy, identify waste and root cause, working with teams across the business to build better, more sustainable ways of working.

Key responsibilities

• Monitor production requirements and ensure materials and packaging are available when needed

• Work closely with Production Leads to anticipate requirements, constraints and changing priorities

• Identify potential material shortages early and coordinate solutions with Supply team

• Support effective material flow between warehouse and production

• Maintain strong inventory control across raw materials, packaging and work in progress

• Ensure Cycle Counts, stock movements, adjustments and consumption are accurately recorded and transacted

• Investigate inventory discrepancies and identify root cause

• Develop practical solutions that improve stock accuracy, traceability and material control

• Bring Production, Warehouse, Supply Chain and Quality teams together to solve problems

• Document, train and embed improved processes

About you

• Experience in a manufacturing, production or similar operational environment

• Experience in materials planning, inventory control or production materials management

• A strong understanding of production consumption and inventory transactions

• Experience working with ERP, MRP and/or WMS systems

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability

• The ability to investigate discrepancies and identify root causes rather than simply correct the transaction

• Strong attention to detail and inventory discipline

• Confidence working across multiple functions and influencing different stakeholders

• Experience implementing, documenting and embedding new processes

• A practical, collaborative style and a willingness to roll up your sleeves

What success will look like

You’ll know you are making an impact when there are fewer surprises.

Materials are available when production needs them. Inventory is more accurate. Variances are understood rather than accepted. Production consumption is recorded correctly. Teams have clearer processes and ownership, and improvements stick long after they have been introduced.

Why join?

This is a great opportunity to step into a role where you can genuinely influence how an operational business works.

You’ll join a fast-moving environment that values accountability, continuous improvement, practical problem solving and people who are prepared to challenge the status quo.

If you enjoy solving operational problems, improving systems and processes and seeing the tangible impact of your work on the production floor, we’d love to hear from you.