Materials Manager

Atlas Copco; Bristol; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading manufacturing company in Bristol is seeking a Materials Manager to lead and develop Procurement, Supply Chain, and Warehouse teams. This role is critical for ensuring the efficient flow of materials to meet production schedules and customer commitments. Key responsibilities include defining the Materials Management Strategy, managing supplier relationships, and leading cross-functional teams. Ideal candidates will have a solid background in materials management within a manufacturing environment and a strong set of leadership skills. A comprehensive benefits package is offered.

Benefits

Culture of trust and accountability

Lifelong learning and career growth

Comprehensive compensation and benefits

Health and well-being

Qualifications

• Proven experience in materials management, supply chain, or procurement leadership.
• Strong knowledge of supply chain principles and inventory control.
• Excellent negotiation and supplier relationship management skills.
• Ability to lead and develop cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop Procurement, Supply Chain, and Warehouse teams.
• Define and own Materials Management Strategy.
• Develop long-term sourcing strategies.
• Build strategic partnerships with suppliers.
• Act as the escalation point for material availability.

Skills

Materials management

Supply chain principles

Negotiation skills

Problem-solving

Team leadership

Job description

Your role

As a Materials Manager, your mission is will lead and develop the Procurement, Supply Chain, and Warehouse teams to ensure the efficient and cost-effective flow of materials through the business. This role is critical to supporting production schedules, meeting customer delivery commitments, and driving continuous You will report to the General Manager.

You will

• Be a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to overall business strategy and decision-making.
• Define and own the Materials Management Strategy, ensuring alignment with company growth objectives, operational excellence, and customer commitments.
• Develop and execute long‑term sourcing strategies to secure supply, optimise cost, and mitigate risk in a volatile global market.
• Build strategic partnerships with suppliers to ensure innovation, sustainability, and performance excellence.
• Lead end-to-end material flow planning, ensuring robust capacity and inventory strategies to support production and customer delivery targets.
• Act as the escalation point for material availability, proactively managing risks and communicating with internal and external stakeholders.
• Set the strategic direction for warehouse operations, ensuring scalability, efficiency, and compliance with safety and environmental standards.
• Define and monitor strategic KPIs for procurement, inventory, and logistics, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Present performance insights and strategic recommendations to the Senior Leadership Team and global stakeholders.
• Manage a £70m+ annual supplier spend and £35m+ inventory holding, ensuring optimal working capital utilisation.
• Drive cost optimisation initiatives without compromising quality, delivery, or strategic objectives.

To succeed, you will need

We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every single requirement. We value diverse experiences and perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the role.

• Proven experience in materials management, supply chain, or procurement leadership within a manufacturing environment. (Essential)
• Strong knowledge of supply chain principles, inventory control, and procurement best practices. (Essential)
• Excellent negotiation and supplier relationship management skills. (Essential)
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills. (Essential)
• Ability to lead and develop cross‑functional teams. (Essential)
• Experience in complex, made to order style manufacturing industries. (Desirable)
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies. (Desirable)
• Familiarity with international trade regulations and logistics. (Desirable)
• Familiarity with ISO standards and regulatory compliance. (Desirable)

In return, we offer

• Culture of trust and accountability
• Lifelong learning and career growth
• Innovation powered by people
• Comprehensive compensation and benefits
• Health and well‑being

Job location

Option 1: On‑Site
This role requires you to work on‑site at our office in Bristol, United Kingdom (GB). You will be part of a dynamic team and enjoy the benefits of face‑to‑face collaboration.

Contact information

Talent Acquisition Team: Luke Aldom

About Edwards

Edwards is a leading developer and manufacturer of sophisticated vacuum products, exhaust management systems and related value‑added services. Edwards solutions are integral to manufacturing processes for semiconductors, flat panel displays, LEDs and solar cells. They are also used within an increasingly diverse range of industrial processes including power, glass and other coating applications; steel and other metallurgy; pharmaceutical and chemical; and for scientific instruments in a wide range of R&D applications.

Edwards has over 4,000 employees worldwide engaged in the design, manufacture and support of high technology vacuum and exhaust management equipment. Edwards has state‑of‑the‑art manufacturing facilities in Europe, Asia and North America.