Buying and Materials Programme Manager

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Material Program Manager to join a forward-thinking and innovative supply chain team. This role is ideal for a strategic and hands-on professional who thrives in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment and is passionate about scaling early-stage hardware products through robust supplier partnerships and operational excellence. The successful candidate will work closely with Engineering, Operations, and Product teams to industrialise new technologies, establish reliable supplier networks, and shape procurement strategies that support business growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the supply chain function from early product development through to scalable manufacturing.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and partners across a diverse range of industries, ensuring competitive pricing and reliable availability.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to support design for manufacturability and assist in setting up production lines and quality control systems at scale.
• Embed effective engineering and operational practices throughout the organisation, adapting approaches to meet evolving product and business needs.
• Identify and procure components and services that align with technical and commercial requirements.
• Support supplier onboarding and management, including coordination of progress tracking, task handoffs, and overall supplier performance.
• Inform program budgeting by analysing how scope and timelines influence commercial and strategic decisions.
• Manage the “Clear to Build” (CTB) process in coordination with suppliers, contract manufacturers, internal workshops, and stakeholders to ensure a transparent and efficient procurement lifecycle.
• Operate within an Agile development environment, contributing to planning and execution of milestone-driven projects.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven experience bringing new hardware products to production through strategic supplier relationships.
• Strong project or program management experience with the ability to influence across engineering, product, and operations teams.
• Knowledge of cost accounting for manufactured goods and experience negotiating pricing improvements with scale.
• Strong decision-making capabilities across internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated success in collaborative development between internal teams and external partners or suppliers.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to clearly articulate trade-offs and decisions to both technical teams and senior leadership.
• Comfortable working in Agile environments with ambitious goals and evolving requirements.

Desirable

• Experience in the automotive or autonomous systems industry.
• Understanding of international import/export operations and relevant regulations.