Inventory Controller (12 month Fixed-Term Contract / Secondment)

Inventory Controller (12 month Fixed-Term Contract / Secondment)

IRC

Who We Are

Join Our Team at Network Rail!

Are you ready to make a difference in people's lives? At Network Rail, we connect passengers and freight customers, ensuring safe and efficient transportation across the country. We're an organisation where people truly matter, and when you join us, you matter to us and millions of others.

We're committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. To discover more about our ED&I commitments

We value flexibility and understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance. As a Disability Confident Leader, we'll do everything we can to accommodate any needs throughout the recruitment process.

About our people and the recruitment process - We're an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone!We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly, as we know traditional working patterns don't always fit. If you want to consider working flexibly, just let us know and we'll do our best to help and invest in your career with us ,whilst you have a healthy work life balance.

Investing in our people is key to enhancing the safety, reliability, and efficiency of our railway system. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact, then this opportunity is for you! to learn about our vision for a simpler, better, greener railway, and to learn about our approach to safety and how it's at the heart of everything we do. If you're ready to make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you!

About the role

Route Services is a division of Network Rail that provides the Routes with services so they can help Network Rail deliver a better railway for a better Britain. We support the Routes with a myriad of services and supplies they need to maintain and operate the railway, to learn more, please click here to watch our video.

This role sits within Supply Chain Operations (SCO), an area of the business which supplies and delivers the logistics, materials, components, rail and road fleet that enable the maintenance and renewal of the railway.

SCO keeps the materials, machinery and components required by its customersmoving - making sure they are on-site when neededso work cango ahead as planned and on schedule.

Vacancy type: This role 12 month secondment/fixed-term contract post with thepotential to extend or become permanent (unless a suitable redeployee is identified).

Location: This position is base at The Quadrant, Milton Keynes (3 days per week in the office).

Hours:35 hours per week with hybrid working and occasional travel for site visits. Flexible working arrangements can be considered.

Salary range:£32,432 per annum.

Closing date:29 September 2026. Late applicants will not be accepted. This role is being advertised internally and externally.

You will need to complete a supporting statement addressing how you meet the essential criteria, please complete this as part of the application process and add this to your CV in ONE document . Applicants who do not complete this statement will not be shortlisted. Please see attached guide - How to complete Supporting Statement.

At Network Rail you will have a clear development path, access to training and enjoy a range of employee benefits, such as; up to 28 days annual leave, rail travel subsidies, a range of pension options, flexible and agile working arrangements, discounts on shopping, gym memberships and much more. Find out more about our benefit s.

Below are some examples of adjustments we can make:

• Changing a provision, practice or 'the way things are done'For example, we can give candidates extra time to complete online, tasks or interviews as needed.
• Changing a physical feature of our workplaceFor example, office/room layout can be adapted to accommodate individual needs.
• Providing extra equipment or assistanceFor example, we can provide sign language interpreters and support workers where needed. Alternative document formats can be made available.

There are lots of other adjustments we can consider - please just ask!

The recruitment process will consist of shortlisted candidates being invited to take part in the following.

• Competency Based Interview

Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will be contacted by phone or email.

You can visit Evenbreaks Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available.Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, pleaseadd a note to your application.

Some of our roles require face to face Drugs & Alcohol testing. Further details will be shared with you as part of your formal offer.

Your experience and skills

What are the key accountabilities in this role?

• Engage with and support the Inventory Manager, Regional Distribution Centre teams, customers and other departments within Logistics and Supply Chain Operations to understand future business strategies and develop inventory stocking principles to support the associated supply and demand plan.
• Analyse the metrics for stockouts, overstocks and demand/item changes to track, periodically review and report actual business performance to assist with efficient supply chain operations.
• Collect, review, and analyse category and supplier data for an allocated discipline engaging in regular category reviews to lead changes to the inventory strategy.
• Provide analysis, guidance, support and quantified progress reports on business improvement initiatives which will include the financial impact of changes in performance to support management with key supply chain decisions.
• Maintain effective relationships with customers and suppliers through day-to-day activities and query management to support supply contracts achieving the most cost-effective delivery of goods.
• Maintain sustainable inventory holding at lean and efficient levels, whilst retaining control and availability of inventory up to and beyond the KPI levels expected so that stock is available when customers need it.
• Resolve daily queries within the allocated discipline from Regional Distribution Centre teams, customers and other departments within Logistics and Supply Chain Operations to support the overall supply chain operation.
• Review minimum and maximum stocking levels and locations so that the right level of stock is held in the right place.
• Review and implement changes to ordering setup during periods of change or supply issues to minimise the impact on deliveries of stock to customers.

What are the essential skills and experience we're looking for?

• Analytical, numeric and problem solving skills.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Experience using Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables and v-lookups.
• Experience of Enterprise Resource Planning supply chain management systems.
• Knowledge of the supply chain.
• Good interpersonal, influencing, communication and organisational skills.
• Accreditation in a subject requiring mathematical or scientific competence or experience in a similar analytical role.

We would also like, but it's not essential:

• Knowledge of contract and supplier management.

Key Information

Number of Positions:

1

Contract Type:

Fixed-Term

Hours:

Full Time

Location:

The Quadrant:MK, Milton Keynes

Geographical Area:

South East England (Not inside M25)

Closing Date:

29-SEP-2026

Job Category:

Business, Commercial and Project Management

Function:

Route Services

Asset:

SCO - Supply Chain Services

Organisation:

NJ Infrastructure Materials & Operations (618714) G2