Supply Chain Materials Manager

Morgan Advanced Materials is a business rich in history and innovation. Founded in the UK in 1856, we have grown into a global organisation with 70 sites in 18 countries. Our model to serve our customers where they need us has led to a diversified product range using our unparalleled expertise in ceramic and carbon materials, which we exploit to solve difficult problems for our customers across a diverse range of markets.

We are a purpose driven organisation. Our purpose is to use advanced materials to make the world more sustainable and to improve the quality of life. We deliver on that purpose through the products that we make, and the way that we make them.

The Thermal Ceramics division designs, manufactures and installs a broad range of thermal insulation products that significantly reduce energy consumption and emissions in a variety of high temperature processing applications. Our product offering is extensive and covers application needs from Industrial to Commercial markets.

Key Figures: Revenue £1,100.7m (2024), ~8,000 employees, manufacturing in 20+ countries, and a global customer portfolio. A UK PLC with head office located in Windsor, Berkshire UK.  Listed on London Stock Exchange; Member of the FTSE 250 Index.

Under the direction from the Senior Supply Chain Leader, the Materials Manager  is responsible for leading warehouse operations, inventory control, cycle count programs, and continuous improvement initiatives to ensure inventory accuracy, operational efficiency, and superior customer service. This role oversees receiving, storage, distribution, inventory management, and warehouse personnel while driving process improvements through data analysis, root cause investigation, Lean principles, and best practices. 

JOB FUNCTIONS

Inventory Management & Cycle Counts 

• Develop and manage a comprehensive cycle count program.
• Analyze cycle count results and inventory discrepancies and implement corrective actions.
• Oversee annual physical inventories and inventory audits.
• Ensure accurate inventory transactions in ERP/WMS systems.
• Monitor inventory accuracy KPIs and inventory variances.

Warehouse Operations 

• Lead receiving, storage, picking, packing, shipping, and inventory control activities.
• Maintain compliance with company policies and quality standards.
• Develop warehouse and logistics capacity plans aligned with operational and production requirements.
• Optimize storage utilization, inventory placement, and material flow based on inventory velocity, handling characteristics, and space constraints.
• Assess warehouse labor, transportation, and storage capacity requirements to support business demand.
• Partner with Supply Chain Planning and Operations to identify and mitigate capacity, logistics, and material flow risks.
• Develop contingency plans to address warehouse, labor, and transportation disruptions.

Logistics Management 

• Coordinate transportation, carrier performance, and freight activities to ensure timely delivery of products.
• Monitor inbound and outbound logistics operations to optimize service levels and control costs.
• Collaborate with transportation providers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders to resolve shipping issues.
• Analyze freight spend, routing, and distribution performance to identify cost savings opportunities.
• Support supply chain planning by ensuring alignment between inventory availability, warehouse capacity, and customer demand.
• Manage transportation providers, carrier relationships, logistics contracts, and service performance.
• Monitor freight spend and identify opportunities for transportation cost reduction and service improvement.
• Coordinate inbound and outbound transportation activities to ensure alignment with operational requirements.
• Evaluate transportation capacity and logistics network constraints that may impact execution performance.
• Develop logistics contingency plans to mitigate supply chain disruptions

Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence 

• Champion a culture of continuous improvement focused on safety, quality, delivery, and cost reduction.
• Lead root cause analysis investigations related to inventory variances and operational inefficiencies.
• Implement Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and process improvement initiatives.
• Establish KPIs and use data-driven decision making to identify opportunities.
• Lead cross-functional improvement projects and support change management efforts.
• Identify automation and system enhancement opportunities.
• Develop standard work procedures, process documentation, and training materials.
• Participate in SIOP and IBP processes as the warehouse and logistics representative, ensuring execution readiness for approved plans.
• Translate operational plans into actionable warehouse, labor, storage, transportation, and logistics requirements.
• Provide capacity and constraint analysis to support planning decisions and escalate execution risks when necessary.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure inventory, service, and operational objectives are achieved.

Leadership & Team Development 

• Lead, coach, and develop warehouse, logistics and inventory personnel.
• Conduct performance evaluations and succession planning.
• Promote accountability, teamwork, and operational excellence.
• Lead through prioritization and KPI management

Safety & Compliance 

• Ensure compliance with OSHA and company safety requirements.
• Conduct safety audits and maintain a clean, organized warehouse.
• Behave responsibly and ethically in all matters, presenting a high level of authenticity and engagement.
• Support and participates in management review meetings per ISO requirements
• Assure compliance with Company and Plant policies, health and safety standards, environmental regulations, hazardous waste, and good housekeeping practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, operations management, or engineering is required
• 10+ years of warehouse or inventory management experience.
• Experience managing cycle count programs and inventory accuracy initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of inventory control, replenishment methodologies, and supply chain best practices.
• Experience with ERP, WMS, Microsoft Excel and supply chain planning systems
• Experience leading continuous improvement projects.
• Solid communication, and analytical skills.
• Ability to lead attend, set objectives and hold team accountable for achieving objectives
• Must possess superior organization, communications, presentation skills, critical thinking, EQ.
• Ability to perform as a Leader and Collaborator and the ability to communicate comfortably at all levels of the organization is essential.

SCHEDULE DESCRIPTION

The typical schedule for this position is a straight day shift schedule. Must be willing to be on call and work nights and weekends if needed.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

As this is not a remote position, must be capable of working on-site for minimal of 8 hours/day

Must be capable of sitting and using a computer for a considerable portion of an 8-hours workday.

Must be capable of walking through the facility and property to check on employees and equipment.

Must be able to physically wear personal protective equipment such as, but limited to, hard hat, safety glasses, respirator and steel toe boots.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk.

Frequently use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools, and controls.

The employee is frequently required to talk and hear to communicate with coworkers.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to distinguish shades and colors.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position will work primarily in a controlled office environment, however will have extended periods on the production floor.

The noise level in the work environment is consistently above 85 decibels when on the production floor.

During summer months, employee may have to work in temperatures as high as 110 degrees for prolonged periods of time.

Dust from machine processes is constantly present.

The employee works near mechanical parts and lift trucks.

Required to wear steel toed shoes, safety glasses and ear plugs in the manufacturing area.

Morgan Advanced Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Ind-1