Materials Controller (Grade SME0)

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Job title: Materials Controller
Salary: circa £51k
Grade: SME0
Contract type: LU Reference: 4226
Team: Inventory Management Directorate: Chief Operating Officer
Contract details: Permanent
Location: Various locations across the LU Network/Hybrid including Neasden/Acton/Northfield/Cockfosters/Upminster/Southwark

Application closing date: 22/05/2026 at 2359

All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory right to work checks. Candidates must be able to demonstrate their right to work in the UK. At the present time TfL is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

Hybrid working within this role enables a balance of 50 per cent of time split between the office and home over a 4-week period. Hybrid working arrangements can evolve subject to business requirements.

Overview of role

We have exciting opportunities for Materials Controllers to join the Inventory Management team, supporting the effective control and availability of materials across the relevant asset areas.

You will be responsible for inventory control and expediting to ensure materials required for maintenance, projects and associated activities are delivered to plan, while maintaining stock levels within agreed targets. Working closely with Commercial and LU Engineering teams, you will contribute to optimising asset performance, safety and cost from a whole life perspective.

You will demonstrate a proactive, “can do” approach and support the Inventory Manager in developing materials management capability to meet current and future business requirements.

Key Accountabilities

• Undertake stock control and expediting of designated groups of stock items to ensure optimum holding to meet availability requirements in a timely manner.
• Ensure appropriate arrangements are in place to maximise stock availability to meet customer demand.
• Ensure all inventory master data is kept up to date.
• Develop an expediting system to ensure on time deliveries to meet business demands.
• Develop a de-expediting system to support stock optimisation.
• Assist with continuous improvement agendas for materials and purchasing activities.
• Responsible for ensuring compliance with statutory obligations, operational standards and safety and security risks.
• Accountable for being an authentic role model for diversity and inclusion. Driving positive and progressive change within the team to achieve measurable improvements in diversity and inclusion.
• Deliver the end-to-end approach to Materials Management, in collaboration with TfL Commercial and Stakeholders.
• Compliance with Materials Management policies, processes and toolkits to facilitate good practice, maximising business benefits and compliance with corporate governance across LU thats scalable to TfL.
• Use of appropriate systems to support Materials and Plant Management to deliver process and data efficiencies.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

Skills

• Proven ability to communicate with people at all levels, including both external and internal stakeholders, in a positive and consistent manner - Essential
• Good business and financial acumen - Essential
• Ability to analyse complex data and formulate appropriate plans for improvement – Essential
• Proficiency in the use of IT applications. eg. MS Office, Excel – Essential

Knowledge

• CIPS/IOLT/ARICS qualified or making progress towards becoming a member or equivalent business-related qualification - Desirable
• Good knowledge of procurement and materials management systems including MRP/ERP - Essential
• Good knowledge of supply chain and procurement processes - Essential
• Commitment to continuous improvement of the customer experience – Essential
• Must be business focused with commitment to continuous improvement, performance, reliability and financial efficiency with a "can do attitude".
• Knowledge of relevant health and safety legislation, guidance and good practice – Essential

Experience

• Considerable knowledge and experience in a Materials Management function carrying out inventory management - Essential
• Experience and understanding of supply chain processes – Essential
• Experience of running MRP/ERP systems such as SAP – Essential
• Experience within the transport, manufacturing industry or within a technically-led support function – Essential

Application Process 

• Please apply using your CV and covering letter
• Think carefully about the skills, knowledge and experience in the advert and cover this in your application
• PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images
  

We may close this advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.  

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We want to represent the city we serve, which will help us become a more innovative and efficient organisation. Our goal is to make our recruitment as inclusive as possible. We are a disability confident employer who guarantee an interview to any disabled candidate who meets all of the essential criteria. We also use anonymising software that removes identifying information from CVs and cover letters to make the process fair.

Benefits

In return for your commitment and expertise, you will enjoy excellent benefits and scope to grow. Rewards vary according to the level of role but mostly include the below:

• Final salary pension scheme 
• Free travel for you on the TfL network 
• Reimbursement of 75% of the cost of a standard class Ticket for National Rail travel from home
• 29 days annual leave plus public and bank holidays
• TfL is committed to work-life balance, operating a hybrid working approach where business and role requirements allow
• Private healthcare discounted scheme (optional) 
• Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme
• Retail, health, leisure and travel offers 
• Discounted Eurostar travel
  

We will make every effort to give you as much notice as possible, however some interviews/assessments could be organised at short notice.

Vetting Process

At Transport for London, safety, trust and fairness sit at the heart of how we recruit. Our Vetting Charter (https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/careers/our-vetting-process) explains the checks we carry out before you join us, helping ensure we create a safe, inclusive and reliable network for everyone who depends on our services. We simply ask that the information you provide is honest and accurate so we can progress your application smoothly. If something doesn’t match or can’t be verified, we may not be able to move forward with your application, but we’ll always treat you with transparency, respect, and clear communication throughout.