Job Description

Freightliner is the UK's largest maritime intermodal logistics operator, transporting containers from all major deep-sea ports to our national network of inland terminals, as well as a leading operator in the UK Heavy Haul rail freight market. Freightliner has operations across Europe offering both Intermodal and Heavy Haul rail freight services seamlessly connecting European countries and the UK.
In the UK the Freightliner Group operates under a number of legal entities including Freightliner Group Ltd, Freightliner Heavy Haul Ltd, Freightliner Ltd, Pentalver Transport Ltd, and Pentalver Cannock Ltd.
Freightliner was recently voted Rail Freight Company of the Year at the 2025 Multimodal Awards. We are a proud WORK180 endorsed employer for women, highlighting the company's commitment to increased diversity and a supportive work culture for all employees.
Head of Materials Management - Intermodal
Freightliner Heavy Haul Ltd
Location: Ipswich / Southampton / Crewe
Who are we looking for?
Freightliner is looking for an experienced Materials Manager who is a natural self-starter, with a dynamic and engaging personality to take our material management team on the intermodal engineering side of the business forward and build on the great work that has already been achieved. The position can be based at any one of our 3 key railway maintenance depots at Crewe, Ipswich, or Southampton. The successful candidate will be responsible for all aspects of material management to ensure our production teams have the material available to deliver on time loco and wagon maintenance. This is a senior position within our engineering team looking after over a 1000 product lines across 3 sites and as such, we offer a comprehensive renumeration package to support this complex role.
On your first day, we'll expect you to have:

• Commitment to developing safe working practices.
• In depth knowledge of supply chain and inventory management systems, with proven experience in this area.
• Experience within the role of Materials Controller / Logistics Controller / Buyer / Materials Management with experience in forecasting and procurement tools, collating and developing business KPIs.
• Ability to drive Continuous Improvement to ensure we achieve our targets and standardise our processes across our depots.
• Railway material management is highly desirable or other similar industry

What will be your responsibilities:

• Being a safety influencer by ensuring you and your team work safely at all times whilst always looking for opportunities to do things safer and more efficiently.
• Owning the material control process using our Asset Management System and working with the stores teams to deliver effective planning, implementation and optimal stock levels that are accurate and proven through audit/stock counts.
• Liaise with internal customers and external suppliers to develop good working relationships through regular engagement to ensure we optimise stock levels and achieve maximum efficiency for the control of material.

• Resolve material shortages, backlogs and other potential schedule interruptions while identifying and creating strategic solutions to improve material flow at multiple levels
• Develop and maintain visual management process in line with lean practises and monitor the utilisation of materials on site producing reports to show performance.
• Report on all of the above at our monthly team meetings.

Testimonial
The previous incumbent said this about the role and team:
"I have thoroughly enjoyed my role within the team. This is due to the leadership of the team and the characters within it. We have all contributed to where we are with wagon availability and are in a fantastic position to support the business in whichever direction it takes us. There is a willingness and togetherness to collaborate on all issues".
Our perks and benefits
Our people are our most important asset. We strive to empower our employees, ensuring they are trained and competent, fit for work, always informed, and completely engaged in our culture that places safety and wellbeing firmly at the heart of everything we do.
We are looking for the most committed and reliable individuals who possess the knowledge, skills and experience needed for their roles. In return we can offer considerable career progression, and a rewarding career in an award-winning team alongside:

• Competitive pay
• Fantastic final-salary pension scheme after an initial qualifying period
• Enhanced maternity & paternity pay
• Access to the company's life assurance scheme
• A range of benefits to make your own so you can get the most of your work and home life which will also help save you money and hassle. From reimbursement on health treatments, to savings on new cars.
• Hybrid working options for eligible roles

This post is subject to standard pre-employment checks including employment references, medical, drug & alcohol screening and successful DBS background checks. Please note some travel is required for this role, it is estimated this would be 2-3 times per month.
Could it be time to start your career journey with us?
Apply today!
Our commitment to you, once you join our team, is to foster growth and provide developmental opportunities to ensure you reach your utmost potential.
We are looking for the most committed and reliable individuals who possess the knowledge, skills and experience needed for their roles.
In return we can offer competitive pay, excellent benefits, a competitive pension scheme and a rewarding career in an award-winning team.

Skills Required