Materials Operative

Location: Ashford, Kent, United Kingdom

Job ID: R0108459

Date Posted: 2026-09-21

Company Name: Hitachi Rail UK Limited

Profession (Job Category): Other

Job Schedule: Full time

Remote: No

About Us

A career at Hitachi Rail will help create a legacy. With operations in every corner of the world, our work goes to the cutting-edge of digital transformation and technology. From the multi-cultural strength of our global organisation to the sustainable and innovative ways we work to bring people together, there’s something for everyone to get stuck into. And that’s where you come in.

Job Description:

Your new role

Materials Operative
£33,344
Ashford
Days shift

You’ll support the delivery of material requirements within the Technical Support & Spares Supply Agreement (TSSSA), helping to ensure the right materials and spares are available to support train maintenance activities. Working closely with the Materials and Stores teams, you’ll support stock control, goods movements, purchasing, dispatch and inventory management to maintain an efficient and reliable materials operation.

What you’ll be doing

• Assist the Materials team with the end to end process of managing Inbound/ Outbound goods and materials issuing transactions.
• Collaborate with the Train Maintainer stores team to ensure seamless material provision.
• Maintain the material returns as required, items quarantined or returned to stock as dictated by business needs.
• Assist, when required, with the purchasing of materials, spares, equipment, tools and associated services ensuring on time delivery.
• Prepare material for dispatch and arrange collection with the courier.
• Support in the monitoring and understanding of material demand and trends, highlighting any changes or needs to the Materials Team.
• Interact with the Master Scheduler to understand demand and forecast.
• Ensure material is safely and efficiently stored, using forklift, crane or other company equipment as necessary whilst ensuring a good level of housekeeping.
• Use and maintain MRP data as the primary planning system tool.
• Support inventory checks as per the plan to ensure correct stock levels, including perpetual checks as required and report on variances to the Materials Manager.
• Support the development and mobilisation of the materials management system and processes to ensure robust, timely, and accurate materials transactional requirements are met.
• Support the implementation, compliance, and continuous improvement of Stores processes.
• Identification of continuous improvement initiatives to the Materials Manager/ Regional Stores Manager and Contract Manager.
• Carry out all duties in a safe and responsible manner.
• Support with the execution and excellence in the area of stock and demand replenishment providing feedback to the supply chain on risks regarding replenishment levels and demand.
• Learn new skills in accordance with Hitachi’s new business demands as required.
• Liaison with Hitachi and external personnel as required to complete the duties of the post.
• Carry out any additional duties as required.