Head of Materials jobs
In the manufacturing industry, keeping production on schedule is essential for business stability. This relies on having adequate stocks of components and raw materials.
Whether a company makes computers or children’s toys, food, beverages, pharmaceuticals or something else, the head of materials is responsible for ensuring that the stock levels are maintained and that products are sourced within budget and to the required quality standards.
Depending on the particulars of the role and the nature of the company, the head of materials will be charged with ordering supplies, tracking shipments, liaising with other departments to keep up with market trends and to continuously look for ways to drive efficiencies without compromising on customer satisfaction.
The role may also involve maintaining hygiene levels in storage areas - this is especially true of the food and beverage industry - as well as renegotiating contracts, researching new suppliers and reporting on key performance indicators.
The skills required
Those applying for a role as head of materials should be able to demonstrate good managerial skills and be confident in your ability to communicate with staff, stakeholders and customers.
Successful candidates should have good commercial awareness and always be on the lookout for ways to make improvements.
In addition, as head of materials you will need to have a degree of IT literacy and knowledge of the various computer programs and systems used in the industry. For instance, an ability to use spreadsheets and databases is a must, while familiarity with the Microsoft Office package can also be a useful skill.
Head of Materials Jobs in Rhondda
Rhondda is often known as the Rhondda Valley, and is a collection of mining villages that played a major part in South Wales’s economic prosperity in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The coal in the valley was plentiful but difficult to reach, so it required massive investment if it was to become economically viable, and remained largely untapped until the mid-1800s, when just such an effort was undertaken.
Rhondda is located 15 miles (25 km) north west of Cardiff and 20 miles (32 km) east of Swansea, from which ports the coal could readily be shipped around the nation and the world to fuel the Industrial Revolution. This led to a huge growth in population in the area, which went from less than a thousand in the 1851 census to 17,000 twenty years later and 160,000 by 1921. However the decline in coal mining thereafter also led to a decline in population, which now stands at around 60,000.
Commercially, the modern Rhondda Valley is dominated by smaller businesses and local retail areas, with moderate amounts of manufacturing going on. The picturesque appearance of the mountains and hills makes it a desirable place to live for workers from Swansea, Newport and Cardiff who prefer to retreat away from the frenetic pace of the city. The topography of the area means it’s less than ideal for locating logistics or supply chain operations. The valley is served by A road and B roads, with the M4 passing the Welsh coast’s cities the only motorway for miles around. If you’re looking for Head of Materials jobs in Rhondda, it might be worth searching in these cities, although it’s not unknown for such positions to become available.
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Find Head of Materials opportunities with Cast UK
As an expert in the logistics, procurement and supply chain sector, Cast UK is the perfect choice for anyone seeking a new role as a head of materials.
Our team of consultants have extensive experience in recruiting for these sectors, having worked in similar roles themselves.
What’s more, we work with clients and candidates in locations across the country to match the best talent to every role. To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Head of Materials for your business or find you a job as a Head of Materials then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
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