Job Title: Engineering Stores Assistant

Location: Erith – On Site Direct Reports: None
Reporting to: Engineering Planner Stores Supervisor Contract Type: Monday to Friday 08:00am to 16:00pm

Job Purpose

The Engineering Stores Assistant is responsible for the effective day-to-day management of engineering stores, ensuring that maintenance teams have the correct spare parts, tools, consumables and engineering materials available when required. The role will support accurate stock control, timely replenishment and purchasing activities while maintaining good housekeeping and stock management standards.

Key Responsibilities

Stock Control

• Maintain accurate records of all engineering spare parts, consumables, tools and materials.
• Receive, check, label and store incoming engineering items appropriately.
• Issue parts and materials to the Engineering/Maintenance team against authorised requests.
• Monitor stock levels and maintain agreed minimum and maximum stock quantities.
• Conduct regular stock checks and participate in periodic stocktaking.
• Investigate and report stock discrepancies, damaged items and obsolete stock.
• Ensure stock is correctly identified, organised and stored to allow easy access and traceability.
• Maintain accurate inventory records using the company stock control/ERP system.

Stock Replenishment & Ordering

• Monitor stock levels and identify items requiring replenishment.
• Raise purchase orders or purchase requisitions in line with company procedures.
• Liaise with approved suppliers to obtain quotations, place orders and monitor deliveries.
• Ensure critical engineering spares are maintained at appropriate stock levels to minimise maintenance downtime.
• Follow up outstanding orders and communicate delivery delays to relevant personnel.
• Support the identification of alternative or equivalent parts where appropriate, in consultation with the Engineering team.
• Review stock usage and purchasing history to help optimise inventory levels and reduce unnecessary costs.

Engineering & Maintenance Support

• Work closely with Engineers, Maintenance Technicians and the Engineering Manager to understand current and future parts requirements.
• Ensure commonly used and critical spare parts are readily available.
• Assist engineers in identifying and sourcing required components and consumables.
• Maintain an organised stores area that enables efficient and safe access to equipment and materials.
• Support planned maintenance activities by ensuring required parts and consumables are available in advance.

Food Manufacturing & Compliance

• Follow all company Health & Safety, Food Safety, Quality and Hygiene procedures.
• Ensure engineering stores are maintained to the required hygiene and housekeeping standards within a food manufacturing environment.
• Prevent contamination risks by ensuring engineering materials, lubricants, chemicals and other items are stored correctly and appropriately.
• Comply with site procedures, including GMP and relevant company policies where applicable.
• Report any safety, quality or stock-related issues promptly.

Key Skills & Experience

• Previous experience in an engineering stores, warehouse, stock control or purchasing environment, preferably within food manufacturing or FMCG.
• Good understanding of stock control and inventory management principles.
• Experience with ordering, purchasing and supplier management.
• Good organisational and administrative skills with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to use computerised stock control, ERP or purchasing systems.
• Good communication skills and the ability to work effectively with Engineering, Maintenance, Purchasing and Production teams.
• Ability to prioritise tasks and work effectively in a fast-paced production environment.
• Basic understanding of engineering spare parts, tools and consumables is desirable.
• Strong commitment to Health & Safety, Food Safety and company procedures.

Key Personal Attributes

• Organised and methodical.
• Reliable and proactive.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Good problem-solving skills.
• Commercially aware, with a focus on controlling stock costs.
• Able to work independently while also supporting the wider Engineering team.
• Flexible and able to respond to urgent maintenance requirements.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Stock accuracy and inventory record accuracy.
• Availability of critical engineering spares.
• Timely replenishment and ordering of stock.
• Reduction of stock-outs and unnecessary excess stock.
• Purchase order and supplier delivery performance.
• Accurate completion of stock checks and stocktakes.
• Compliance with Health & Safety, Food Safety and housekeeping standards.

Please note: This job description outlines the core responsibilities and duties of the role. It is not an exhaustive list, and the role may evolve over time to include additional tasks and responsibilities in line with business needs.