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First Bus are looking for an Area Stores Manager in our Essex and Eastern Counties Local Business Unit!

As the Area Stores Manager, you will provide an efficient stores service to support engineering maintenance and to manage the Local Business Unit's (LBU) assets and inventory in accordance with First Bus Standard Operating Procedures, as defined by the Engineering Excellence programme.

Working alongside the local stores teams, the Area Stores Manager will champion continuous improvement and consistent applications of stores standards and practices, with a focus on compliance in line with the standards set centrally.

What will you be doing?

• Working closely with the depot storekeepers to ensure that short, medium, and long-term plans are aligned and integrated to ensure optimum vehicle uptime, whilst simultaneously minimising inventory holdings
• Developing and building relationships with each supplier (at appropriate levels), colleagues across the operating company as well as those within central procurement and engineering functions Providing detailed executive reports on a regular basis
• Developing teams to ensure continuity of business in absence of Storekeeper, standing in to provide cover as necessary
• Set KPI's for each location as part of the continuous improvement approach, developing and agreeing action plans to improve efficiency
• Achieving key objectives regarding parts and consumables solutions, including maintaining appropriate stock levels, re-claiming warranty and local supplier solutions
• Working with the depot Engineering Managers to ensure balanced scorecard performance improves Identifying where company processes can be refined to achieve the highest levels of customer satisfaction
• Managing and coaching staff to grow and develop by engaging on a regular basis, carrying out performance reviews and training plans
• Working with Procurement department to identify and resolve supplier or supply chain related issues
• Progressing all stores through the Exemplar and Wrench Programmes (Bronze, Silver and Gold), or equivalent
• Ensuring that Standard Operating Procedures on the operation of INFOR (stock management system) for receipt, identification, storage, retrieval, issue and return of stock are followed
• Ensuring all depots work to Engineering and Health and Safety Standards and Policies through carrying out regular audits
• Controlling service exchange procedures
• Assisting in the identification and disposal of obsolete stock
• Keeping abreast of any fleet changes or other issues which may impact on depot stock holding requirements
• Assisting engineering in reducing warranty rejections and increasing win rate
• Managing all stores personnel across LBU, including cover arrangements for sickness and holidays
• Carrying out weekly reviews with the Engineering Director to identify and remedy any ongoing stores issues or areas of under-performance
• Managing stock checking procedures across all locations
• Providing training when required to Stores Personnel or other staff as instructed

What are we looking for?

• Minimum level 3 NVQ standard or equivalent (i.e., City & Guilds level 1 & 2)
• Must be fully conversant in all aspects of INFOR or be willing to undergo training
• Effective leader with demonstrable emotional intelligence and a track record of developing high performing teams
• Motivational with the ability to inspire others through their actions and behaviours
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to quickly forge strong working relationships
• Ability to interact with Stakeholders and Senior Managers
• Ability to guide and direct local teams across multiple sites to deliver a cost-effective service
• Effective networker
• Financial management / budgetary control experience
• Computer literate with experience of Excel and Word being advantageous
• A ‘can-do attitude' / solution focused
• Effective influencing and negotiation skills with the ability to challenge the status quo
• Customer focussed
• Organisational skills
• Understanding of health and safety, insurance, and data protection legislation

What can we offer you?

• Free bus pass for you and your family on joining
• 25 days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays
• First Xclusives – Discounts on many high street brands, supermarket's, holiday's and cinema tickets, to name a few
• First My Rewards - Discounted train travel for you and your family after 6 months service – travel as far as Edinburgh for £6!
• Generous pension and shares scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme – 24hr, 365 days a year mental health support

Welcome to First Bus

At First Bus, we're proud to be part of so many journeys. We're part of first days at school, dream-job interviews, major sporting events and even life-changing events. Be it behind the wheel, or behind the scenes, we help people get to all of life's destinations.

And every day, we're working hard to make our services easier to use, more accessible, more reliable and more sustainable. We're not perfect, but we're clear about where we're going and how we'll get there. We want to be known for forward-thinking innovation, operational excellence and providing a best-in-class service. To deliver our ambition, we have a pretty neat plan laid out, and we'd love for you to join us for the next stage of your journey, and ours.

Apply now! We look forward to receiving you application.

Public transport serves everyone, whatever their differences. At First Bus, we want to be an employer open to you, no matter what your differences are. We aspire to be an inclusive organisation because diverse backgrounds, thinking and experiences bring so many benefits to our customers, communities and people. We welcome applications from all.