Materials Controller (CAF UK Overhaul Facility, Manchester)

What can you expect from CAF?

• Positive Work Environment: You will work in a positive environment, based on mutual respect and team spirit.
• Professional Development: Our projects are often measured in years, sometimes decades, giving you and the organisation a future.
• Learning and Autonomy: We will encourage you to work autonomously, being able to propose and decide 'what' and 'how'.
• Security and Reliability: CAF has been working for over 100 years on a path that stretches into the future, giving you the security you need.
• Cutting-edge technology: You will work with the latest technologies, facing the challenge of devising innovative approaches and solutions every day.

What will be your role in the company?

The role of Materials Controller is to support the effective operation of the CAF Overhaul Facility by ensuring that materials, components, consumables, and tooling are received, stored, controlled, and delivered to the production teams in a timely and accurate manner. Reporting to the Materials Manager, this is an operational role and critical to maintaining accurate stock levels, system data integrity, asset tracking (components movements in the system), and supporting overhaul schedules for major components such as bogies, wheelsets, gearboxes, traction motors, couplers, HVAC units, and other assets. The Materials Controller will play a key part in ensuring the stores and logistics functions operate efficiently, safely, and in full compliance with CAF processes, HSQE requirements, and the best industry standards.

Your daily duties will include:

• Process all goods inwards and outwards (physically and in the ERP system), ensuring timely and accurate updates.
• Maintain accurate stock levels, logs, and system records to ensure data integrity and availability of overhaul materials.
• Support Engineering and Production by issuing materials in line with overhaul schedules and BOM requirements and deliver material and material kits to the production lines.
• Manage consumables, PPE, and tooling stock, including COSHH-controlled items, ensuring availability and compliance with CAF standards.
• Coordinate logistics for deliveries, collections, and shipments (including repairable components and subcontracted services).
• Support the Materials Manager with stock audits, cycle counts, reconciliations, and KPI reporting.
• Ensure stores operations comply with CAF HSQE processes (including 5S methodology), ISO standards, and safety regulations.
• Raise purchase requisitions and process approved orders in the ERP system when required.
• Provide accurate documentation for stock movements, repairs, and warranty-related transactions.
• Liaise with suppliers, central stores, and other CAF projects to manage material transfers and logistics.
• Assist in the setup, organization, and continuous improvement of the stores area, including layout, processes, and procedures.
• Manage the asset tracking in the ERP system making sure all components, sub[1]components and materials are updated accordingly to the physical movements.
• Enter and maintain accurate data in CAF systems (ERP, maintenance management, and reporting tools) as required by the team.
• Prepare and maintain electronic filing of stores and operational documentation, ensuring full traceability of maintenance and materials records.
• Support any other business activities, audits and initiatives that align with the project scope and the qualifications of the Material Controller

What salary will you be paid for this role?

As a Real Living Wage Employer, we are proud to pay competitively at CAF. For this role you will be offered a salary in the region of £32,000 per annum. 

What will make you successful in this position?

To succeed in this role you will need:

• English language and Mathematics standard grade 4 or above (or equivalent)
• IT Literate (Microsoft Excel, ERP systems, etc)
• Full driving license
• Proven experience in warehousing, stores, or materials control operations.
• Experience with ERP systems and inventory control processes.
• Usage of forklift, cranes and cargo lifting/handling tools.
• Previous experience in a factory, engineering, mechanical or rail environment is desirable.