Materials Costing Specialist

Plexus; Kelso; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A global technology company in Scotland is seeking a Materials Cost Specialist to take ownership of the materials costing process. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in Business or Economics and 5+ years of relevant experience. Responsibilities include managing supplier quotations, optimizing costs, and collaborating with teams to enhance pricing strategies. This role offers a dynamic environment and various employee benefits including a flexible hybrid working arrangement.

Benefits

33 days of annual leave

Private medical insurance

Flexible hybrid working available

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in commodity or purchasing roles.
• Ability to manage quotations and optimize costs.
• Strong analytical skills and effective communication.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of materials costing activities.
• Manage supplier quotations and ensure competitive pricing.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams for cost reductions.

Skills

Strong command of Excel

Knowledge of Google Workspace products

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business or Economics

Job description

Be You - Our people create our best Plexus.

Ingrained in our culture of inclusion is the philosophy that each individual offers diverse perspectives, backgrounds and experiences that create great outcomes when we are united as a team.

We embrace the differences of all our colleagues, celebrate diversity and welcome applications from underrepresented groups and candidates, regardless of their background. We are proud to be registered as the Disability Confident committed employer, and we recruit purely on the basis of skills and experience.

Who we are and what we do?

We help our customers deliver products to the world which have a profound impact on people’s lives.
From ultrasound units and 3D printing to network security applications and in-flight Wi‑Fi, we help create products that build a better world.
We’re a global team of experts who partner with our customers to bring their products to life through inspired innovation and world‑class customer service.

Whether you’re looking to start, change, or advance your career find your path at Plexus and leave your mark on the world with us.

We're looking for a dedicated Materials Cost Specialist to own the materials costing process from initial bid to final proposal, ensuring competitive and accurate pricing for our projects. This role can be based from either our Kelso or Livingston Offices.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Cost Ownership: Take full ownership of materials costing activities, delivering competitive, accurate material pricing by established deadlines.

• Supplier & Quotation Management: Manage quotation requests, engaging with appropriate suppliers to secure industry-competitive component pricing within required time frames.

• Engineering Change (EC) Control: Ensure up-to-date and accurate ECs for all buy quotes (re‑pricing and initial bids), coordinating revisions with the site materials team.

• Value Optimization: Review current pricing of materials and develop suggested appropriate cost that meets business needs as well as balances customer needs.

• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Work closely with the Commodity Team to capture cost reductions, stay current with marketplace trends, and identify the supplier of choice consistent with company strategy.

• Market Insight: Maintain knowledge of the marketplace, key suppliers, and manufacturers.

• Communication & Presentation: Provide and analyze the costed Bill of Materials (BOM), communicate material status updates to the Costing Team, and present a professional approach to suppliers and customers.

Skills & Qualifications

• Education: A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, or a related discipline is required.

• Experience (Preferred): A Bachelor’s degree in Business or Economics combined with Five (5) + years of experience in commodity or purchasing roles appropriate to a commodity position.

• A strong command of Excel, particularly for big data processing, is a prerequisite. Knowledge of Google Workspace products (Sheets, Slides, etc.) is also highly desirable.

If you thrive in a strategic, fast‑paced environment and have the expertise to drive material cost efficiency, apply today!

Why you will love it?

At Plexus, we’re at our best when opportunities are met with passion, open communication, and teamwork. Our employees work alongside a global team of experts who engage in projects that span a variety of industries – helping our customers in creating the products that build a better world.

At Plexus, you will find:

• A workplace centered on collaboration and integrity

• Supportive leadership teams that value work‑life balance through a flexible work environment

• An inclusive environment that values diverse backgrounds, experiences, and expertise

• Flexible career paths across a variety of disciplines

• Innovative design solutions and state‑of‑the‑art technology that improves lives

• Through our commitment to local community involvement we encourage our employees to participate in outreach activities with charities, local Schools, Universities, and Colleges and to promote careers in the STEM fields

Additionally, when you join, we want you to enjoy what you do and be rewarded for your contribution, so we have a range of attractive benefits on offer:

• Bespoke development plan

• Online learning and formal development programs

• Full‑time, permanent employment contract

• Enhanced pension contributions

• 33 days of annual leave (inclusive of public holidays)

• Paid family leave

• Private medical insurance

• Group income protection insurance

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme

• Cycle to work scheme

• Volunteer time off

• Flexible Hybrid Working Available (role dependent)

• Life assurance

• Occupational health

• Vision care discounts

• Discount schemes

• Company sick pay scheme

• Onsite gym/ discounted gym

Application Process

We don’t look for culture fit, but culture add. We value all the perspectives our team brings to the table, and we want to hear from YOU. We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions, and will look at candidates holistically, balancing work, education and additional experiences.