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 Slough
Located in Berkshire, Slough is 22 miles west of London and ten miles from Heathrow airport. The borough is well-placed for travel to other parts of the country - or indeed other parts of the world - and it offers a wide range of options for those seeking Head of Materials vacancies.
Until the 1800s, Slough was mainly an agricultural area with apple orchards and plant nurseries. It was also known for brick manufacture. In fact, the blocks used to build Eton College all came from Slough. However, after the Great Western Railway was built, this part of the economy began to decline and industry was on the rise.
The Slough Trading Estate was established in 1920 and was one of the earliest examples of this kind of commercial property in the UK. At the time, it was used for repairing and reselling ex-army vehicles, after the first world war, and was home to a number of factories.
Since the mid 1990s, Slough's economy has shifted from manufacturing to information technology and the majority of the factories have since been shut down and replaced with offices.
Today, the Slough Trading Estate is the largest of its type in Europe, with more than 600 buildings, 500 companies and around 20,000 people working there on a daily basis. Current resident businesses include Mars, Fiat, LG, Ferrari, Fullers Logistics, Stanley Black and Decker and Telefonica O2.
In addition, Slough is home to various financial and business services organisations, while health and education are also responsible for a significant portion of the region's employment opportunities.
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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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