Materials Operations Manager

Material Operations Manager – Aerospace Manufacturing
Location: South Molton, Devon
Employment Type: Permanent
Salary: Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package
We are recruiting an experienced Material Operations Manager for a leading global aerospace manufacturer based in South Molton, Devon. Employing more than 400 people, the South Molton facility has been at the forefront of precision aerospace manufacturing for over 50 years.
The site designs, manufactures and tests safety-critical components for many of the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers and operates a specialist investment-casting foundry unique within the wider organisation.
This is a senior, site-based leadership opportunity with responsibility for production scheduling, material flow, inventory accuracy and logistics. You will lead the internal materials operation and ensure that manufacturing activity is aligned with the Master Production Schedule, customer priorities and wider network requirements.
The Role:
As Material Operations Manager, you will:
* Lead the site’s materials, production scheduling and logistics activities.
* Translate the Master Production Schedule into an effective short-term manufacturing plan.
* Monitor production performance and drive adherence to agreed schedules.
* Coordinate labour and material requirements across the factory.
* Maintain accurate inventory through robust cycle-counting and transaction-control processes.
* Oversee material receipt, storage, internal distribution, movement and transportation.
* Deploy lean material-flow principles across the facility.
* Identify and escalate material-availability risks to central planning and network teams.
* Drive forecast attainment and delivery against the Integrated Business Planning process.
* Manage shipment schedules in line with customer priorities and agreed delivery dates.
* Maintain target inventory levels while supporting on-time delivery objectives.
* Control freight expenditure, including the reduction of premium freight.
* Ensure the accuracy and integrity of plant-owned data relating to MRO, shipping, receiving, part movement and production scheduling.
* Act as the principal site contact for escalations affecting execution of the Master Production Schedule.
* Champion continuous improvement through visual management, standard work, value-stream mapping and operational assessments.
* Lead, develop and motivate the materials team, creating a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
About you:
To be considered, you should have:
* A bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant qualification.
* At least five years’ combined experience across materials, operations or supply-chain management within a manufacturing environment.
* A minimum of three years’ experience leading and developing people.
* Practical experience supporting cross-functional SIOP/S&OP and inventory-management processes.
* Strong knowledge of production planning, forecasting, bills of material, MRP and scheduling execution.
* Experience using ERP or advanced planning systems; knowledge of Kinaxis RapidResponse/Maestro or MFG/PRO would be advantageous.
* A detailed understanding of manufacturing processes and end-to-end value streams, from raw material through to finished product.
* Experience managing inventory accuracy, material availability, logistics and on-time delivery.
* A continuous-improvement mindset, ideally supported by practical experience of lean manufacturing tools.
Experience within aerospace, automotive, defence, precision engineering or another highly regulated manufacturing sector would be particularly beneficial.
Additional information
The successful candidate will work with technology, goods and information controlled under US International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
Appointment may therefore be subject to additional eligibility and screening requirements.
Our client is committed to equal employment opportunities and welcomes applications from suitably qualified candidates from all backgrounds. If you are an experienced materials or supply-chain leader looking to take ownership of a critical aerospace manufacturing operation, we would be delighted to hear from you