Inventory Team Leader

About us

We are a clean-tech organisation who have created the world’s first purpose built battery and solar powered transport refrigeration unit (TRU). This is a fully electric system, is true zero-emission*, viable alternative to diesel power. Since being established in 2020 we have scaled a world-class team by 77% to accelerate innovation across all departments. We are looking for talent who want to join us on our mission, to decarbonise the global cold chain.

Last year we proudly announced partnerships with 8 customers including Samworth Brothers, Bannister Transport, DFDS and Staples Vegetables & secured investment from Barclays and Clean Growth Fund to fuel our mission to decarbonise the cold chain. This year we were announced the Winner of the 2024 Technological Breakthrough award from the Cold Chain Federation.

Primarily, our team and culture distinguish Sunswap as an exceptional workplace. Our collective commitment to decarbonising the global cold chain unites us, fostering mutual support in achieving our mission. We strive to cultivate an inclusive, forward-thinking, and engaging culture that embraces everyone.

Our benefits

• Overtime
• 30 days of annual leave (includes a Wellbeing Day)
• Sabbatical (after 3 years of working with Sunswap)
• 5 free counselling sessions per year
• Family leave ranging from 4 weeks to 4 months
• Free Monthly Lunches & Quarterly Socials!

Job overview

As the Inventory Team Leader, you will operate as a hands-on, highly organised leader, driving efficiency and maintaining exceptional standards within our fast-paced manufacturing environment. You are dynamic and proactive, keen to implement changes and leverage visual management to optimise inventory flow. This role demands a strong stance on maintaining high standards for cleanliness, timekeeping, and overall working output, ensuring the inventory function consistently supports production demands.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and coach the inventory team, using regular check-ins and performance reviews to support individual growth and engagement.
• Run our new starter onboarding, ensuring seamless integration and that everyone quickly meets our core standards.
• Help plan and develop all inventory specialists, including succession and holiday cover plans, keeping our skills matrix up to date.
• Interview new team applicants, assessing their skills and cultural fit.
• Run effective team meetings and Gemba briefings, ensuring clear communication of goals, progress, and new updates for Goods In/Out, Kitting, and Trailer Kits.
• Drive efficiency improvements in storage solutions within the stores areas and lineside storage areas.
• Work closely with the Material Controller to ensure stores readiness to accept delivery of parts into a compact storage location.
• Ensure timely booking in, inspection, and storage through to kitting, to meet a fast-paced and growing production demand.
• Create and utilise Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to help drive and monitor team performance, enabling proactive reactions when behind schedule.
• Be a champion of Health and Safety at work, driving the team to work safely through supporting our Health and Safety Advisor on robust risk assessment maintenance and required team training.
• Find and put in place new ways to improve processes, helping us hit our assembly KPIs and suggesting better ways to track performance.

Qualifications & experience

• Experience within a stores or inventory management team within UK Low Volume Manufacturing, or Automotive experience preferred.
• Proven Leadership experience, with success in growing and guiding a team with a positive working culture who are driven to meet and exceed expectations.
• Experience at a working level as an inventory/stores person for a minimum of 2 years.
• Experienced with MRP (Material Requirements Planning) and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES).
• Good Excel skills required, able to interpret and analyse trends and gaps in data to spot potential gaps or issues.
• IOSH Managing Safely, or equivalent experience with Risk Assessment generation or maintenance preferred.

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