Stores Manager

The Stores Manager owns the end-to-end control of all inbound material, inventory and internal material flow at DRVN's UK sites. You will build, run and continuously improve a stores operation that is right-sized for low-volume specialist vehicle production - accurate, disciplined and traceable, without the overhead of a mass-production logistics function. You will take the stores operation through prototype and into steady-state production, ensuring line-side availability, inventory accuracy, part traceability and a safe, well-organised working environment., Our products Evoluto, along with the reimagination of some of Ford Motor Company's most historically significant icons - including the RS200 and MK1 Escort places DRVN at the forefront of modern automotive excellence. These projects provide our engineers with an exceptional platform to showcase their skills across various disciplines and be part of some of the most exciting modernisation programmes the industry has ever seen., Stores Operations and Material Flow

• Lead day-to-day stores operations: goods-in, receipting, put-away, storage, picking, kitting and issue to production.
• Ensure material is presented line-side or in build kits to support the production schedule, with zero line stops caused by stores.
• Design and maintain efficient storage layouts and location systems suited to a high-part-count, low-volume BOM (including bulky trim, body panels, glazing, high-value and fragile components).
• Manage controlled storage for specialist items such as Class A surfaces, paint-sensitive parts, hazardous materials (COSHH), batteries and electrical components, and shelf-life items.
• Manage returns to suppliers, internal returns and scrap in line with agreed processes.
Inventory Control and Accuracy
• Own inventory accuracy in the ERP/MRP system, targeting [e.g. 98%+] location and quantity accuracy.
• Run a perpetual inventory / cycle-count programme and lead period-end and year-end stock takes in conjunction with Finance.
• Investigate and resolve stock discrepancies, providing root cause and corrective action.
• Control obsolete, slow-moving and excess stock, and support engineering change (ECN) implementation - including phase-in / phase-out of part revisions.
• Maintain accurate BOM-to-stock alignment so that kitting and shortages reporting are reliable.
Launch Readiness (Evoluto SOP)
• Develop and deliver a stores readiness plan aligned to the Evoluto SOP timeline, covering layout, racking, equipment, systems, labelling, processes and staffing.
• Support pre-production and pilot builds with material control, shortage tracking and part status visibility.
• Work closely with Procurement and the supplier base to manage first deliveries, packaging and labelling standards, and PPAP / first-off part segregation.
• Establish shortage management and escalation routines (daily shortage meeting, build-readiness reporting).
Quality, Traceability and Compliance
• Operate goods-in inspection and quarantine processes in line with DRVN's Quality Management System (QMS).
• Ensure non-conforming material is identified, segregated and controlled, and support the raising and closure of supplier NCRs with the Supplier Quality team.
• Maintain batch, serial and revision traceability for safety-critical and homologation-relevant components.
• Ensure FIFO / FEFO principles are followed for shelf-life and date-controlled materials.
• Support internal and external audits (ISO 9001 / customer audits) for the stores area.
Health, Safety and Equipment
• Own health and safety within the stores and goods-in areas, including risk assessments, safe systems of work and COSHH compliance.
• Manage materials handling equipment (MHE), including reach trucks and forklifts (e.g. Still FM-X 12), ensuring LOLER inspections, servicing, battery and charger management, and operator licensing are in date.
• Ensure racking is inspected and maintained to SEMA guidance.
• Promote a strong 5S and housekeeping culture.
Supplier and Logistics Interface
• Monitor supplier delivery performance (OTIF) at goods-in and feed data into supplier scorecards and QBRs with Procurement.
• Agree and enforce inbound packaging, labelling and delivery-booking standards with suppliers and hauliers.
• Manage inbound and outbound carrier relationships and courier/expedite activity, keeping premium freight to a minimum.
• Support Procurement with demand and consumption data for scheduling and call-off decisions.
People and Continuous Improvement
• Lead, coach and develop the stores team, including recruitment, rota planning, training and performance management.
• Build a multi-skilled team capable of flexing across goods-in, storage, kitting and despatch.
• Define and report stores KPIs and drive continuous improvement using lean tools (5S, value stream mapping, root cause analysis).
• Manage the stores budget, including consumables, MHE costs and agency labour where applicable., Please note that this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Right-to-work checks will be carried out in accordance with Home Office requirements.
Equality & Inclusion Statement We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.


• Proven experience as a Stores, Warehouse or Materials Manager (or senior supervisor ready for the step up) in an automotive or engineering manufacturing environment.
• Strong working knowledge of ERP/MRP stock control (e.g. SAP, Sage, Epicor, Infor, or similar).
• Experience of inventory control, cycle counting and stock-take processes, with a track record of improving accuracy.
• Understanding of production material flow - kitting, line feeding, shortages management.
• Practical knowledge of warehouse health and safety, including MHE, racking, COSHH and manual handling.
• Experience leading and developing a team.
• Confident user of Microsoft Excel for analysis and reporting.
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to stay calm under pressure.
Desirable
• Experience in low-volume, specialist, prototype or motorsport vehicle manufacturing, where part counts are high and volumes are low.
• Experience supporting a new vehicle launch or SOP.
• Knowledge of IATF 16949 / ISO 9001 quality requirements, PPAP and NCR processes.
• Lean / continuous improvement training (5S, Six Sigma).
• Counterbalance and/or reach truck license (instructor or supervisor level an advantage).
Personal Attributes
• Hands-on and visible - comfortable on the stores floor as well as at a desk.
• Comfortable in an SME, where processes are still being built and priorities can move quickly.
• A clear communicator who builds strong relationships with Production, Procurement, Quality and Finance.
• Takes ownership and holds high standards for accuracy, housekeeping and safety.
• Enjoy solving problems and improving how things are done.
  
  The DRVN Automotive Group is a sector-leading automotive group, specialising in the design, manufacture, and distribution of luxury automotive brands. Recognised globally for our commitment to innovation, quality, and engineering, we are proudly centred around delivering a world-class customer experience.