Job Description
Job Purpose
Lawson Fuses is seeking an experienced Inventory Manager to lead and drive inventory optimization across sites and oversee the warehouse operation at the UK facility. The inventory manager will be accountable for the end-to-end inventory strategy, ensuring optimal stock availability at the lowest possible working‑capital cost. Reporting directly to the General Manager, the role plays a critical part in reducing overall stock levels, improving inventory turns, and strengthening planning discipline across the supply chain.
The role owns inventory classification, stock‑level policies, and optimization rules with direct oversight of warehouse operations to ensure accuracy, control and execution. The role also provides light but effective quality control oversight, primarily focused on inbound materials, non‑conformance and traceability.
Job Context
Incorporated in 1938, Lawson Fuses Limited (LFL), is an established British and global brand that operates in the fusegear market with a focus on design, development and manufacture of low voltage High Rupture Capacity (HRC) fuse‑links and associated fuse holders. LFL’s products are ASTA certified and comply with IEC/BS/ENA standards and accepted throughout the world. With manufacturing facilities based in UK and India, LFL’s global clientele is spread across several countries including (not limited to) UK, Middle East, Africa, India, Malaysia, Australia, South Korea and Hong Kong. With ISO 17025 ASTA certified R&D lab and ASTA certified manufacturing plants, LFL is keen on safety, quality and speed of product delivery.
From 2018, LFL is part of Lucy Group which is a diversified international group head quartered in Oxford, UK and operates in multiple sectors including Power Distribution, Smart Lighting, Fusegear and Real Estate. Lawson Fuses, under the banner of Lucy Group, is focusing on accelerated growth of its product line and subsequently the share of the market.
Job Dimensions
This role will report to the General Manager of the business and focus on following job dimensions
- Inventory Classification and Segmentation
- Demand Understanding and Inventory Planning
- Inventory Optimisation and Stock Reduction
- Warehouse Oversight (Enabler Role)
- Quality Control (Inventory Centric)
- Governance, Reporting and Cross Functional Working.
- Team Management
Currently, warehouse team in UK consists of 1 team leader and 2 warehouse operatives. This role will also oversee inventory profile at our Indian site through support of local logistics team in India. Role will closely work with purchasing team in UK and India to optimize stock profile at both sites.
Key Accountabilities
Inventory Classification and Segmentation
Design, maintain and continuously improve inventory classification frameworks (ABC, RRS, Star Products).
Segment SKUs based on demand behaviour, inventory turnover, value contribution and profitability.
Ensure warehouse stock is aligned to the value it brings to the business, not just historical holdings
Work with ERP (e.g., Dynamics 365) to enhance multi‑dimensional item categorisation and reporting.
Partner with sales and finance to ensure inventory policies reflect real demand and commercial reality.
Demand Understanding & Inventory Planning
Translate demand signals into effective inventory strategies, recognising that understanding demand is core to inventory optimisation.
Planning beyond simple historical averaging; incorporate
ii) Seasonality (UK storms, international weather impact)
iii) Market trends and regional‑specific demand
- Use demand insights to set realistic inventory coverage, safety stock and replenishment policies.
Inventory Optimisation and Stock Reduction
Lead initiatives to reduce excess, slow‑moving and obsolete inventory, with clear, measurable outcomes.
Own stock‑level control policies ensuring: i) Right goods
- Define differentiated service levels, safety stock rules and reorder parameters by SKU category
- Balance service level targets with working capital, reducing over‑servicing of low‑demand items
- Improve and monitor stock turnover ratios, ensuring fast movers are supported while low‑value stock is constrained
- Lead regular inventory reviews with clear actions, owners and timelines
Ensure ERP‑driven replenishment logic is intelligent, realistic and aligned with demand planning.
Refine reorder points, reorder dates, MOQs, and lead times to avoid system‑driven overstocking.
Complement system triggers with forecast intelligence and supplier constraints
Apply safety stock principles selectively – focused on fast moving and supply risk items only.
Warehouse Oversight (Enabler Role)
Provide direct oversight of warehouse operations to ensure inventory accuracy, discipline, and control.
Ensure robust processes for
- Goods receipt and system posting accuracy
- Put‑away, location control and traceability
- Picking, dispatch and cycle counting
- Define and track clear warehouse inventory KPIs (stock accuracy, adjustments and ageing stock)
- Support warehouse layout optimisation and stock positioning aligned to demand patterns
- Ensure warehouse practices support inventory optimisation and not excess holding
- The Inventory Manager is not a pure warehouse operations role but owns warehouse execution as a critical control mechanism for inventory performance.
Quality Control (Inventory‑Centric)
Oversee incoming goods inspection and quality related stock controls
Ensure quarantine, non‑conformance, and traceability processes are effective and auditable.
Work with suppliers and internal stakeholders to resolve quality issues impacting stock availability and accuracy
Support internal and external audits from inventory perspective where required
Governance, Reporting & Cross‑Functional Working
Clearly define and operate within agreed RACI frameworks across:
i) Demand forecasting
ii) Warehouse classification
v) Replacement and safety stock policies
Produce regular reports to senior team highlighting
i) Inventory value and trends
ii) Stock reduction progress
iii) Risk to availability or cost
Act as a central point of accountability for inventory discipline across sales, purchasing, warehouse and finance.
Team Management
Provide day‑to‑day support and management for warehouse operatives, ensuring clear priorities, safe working practices, and high standards of stock discipline.
Management workload allocation, training and development of warehouse team in line with inventory objectives.
Work closely with purchasing, providing clear inventory‑driven guidance on order quantities, timing and supplier performance
Ensure purchasing activities align with approved inventory classifications, stock‑level policies and demand forecasts.
Qualifications, Experience & Skills
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Operations, Logistics, Engineering, Business, or a related discipline (or equivalent professional experience).
- Professional certifications such as APICS (CPIM/CSCP), CIPS, or Lean / Continuous Improvement are desirable.
Experience Level:
- Typically, 5–8 years’ experience in inventory, materials, or supply ‑ chain management roles.
- Demonstrated experience in inventory optimisation, stock reduction, and working ‑ capital improvement.
- 2–3 years’ experience leading small operational teams and influencing cross ‑ functional stakeholders (warehouse and purchasing)
- Proven experience in inventory management and stock optimisation within a UK business environment
- Strong understanding of inventory classification, replenishment logic, and working capital management
- Strong capability in ERP/MRP systems (Dynamics 365 preferred) and advanced data analysis tools.
- Ability to translate data into clear, commercial decisions
- Experience working cross‑functionally with sales, finance, procurement and operations.
- Experience overseeing warehouse operations
- Exposure to quality control processes and supplier non‑conformance handling
- Background in manufacturing, utilities, engineering, or technical distribution
- Continuous improvement mindset (lean, KPIs, structured reviews)
Personal Attributes
- Commercially astute and outcome‑driven
- Confident influencing senior stakeholders
- Analytical, structured, and detail oriented
- Pragmatic, disciplined and improvement‑focused
Job Info
- Job Identification 26065
- Job Category Logistics/Supply Chain
- Posting Date 05/22/2026, 07:09 AM
- Job Schedule Full time
- Locations Meadowfield, Ponteland , Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE20 9SW, GB (On‑site)
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