At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape and manage the commercial function of a groundbreaking Deposit Return Scheme.
- Company: Join Exchange for Change, a purpose-driven organisation making a real impact on the environment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus scheme, 34 days holiday, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Opportunity to work with passionate colleagues and contribute to meaningful environmental change.
- Why this job: Be part of a national movement that transforms recycling and reduces waste.
- Qualifications: Experience in commercial strategy, strong negotiation skills, and a degree in a related field.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
About us
At Exchange for Change, we are building something the UK has never had before.
Working across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, we are designing and delivering a Deposit Return Scheme from the ground up, creating a system that helps reduce litter and waste by encouraging people to return their empty drinks bottles and cans for recycling.
We are industry led and driven by purpose. A national movement with a clear mission. No bottle unreturned. No can left behind.
This is not just another job.
This is a rare opportunity to do meaningful work, shape a landmark national programme, and help deliver lasting positive impact for people, businesses and the planet alike.
Your role
Reporting to the Head of Commercial, this newly created Materials Manager position offers a unique opportunity to shape, establish and manage the organisation’s commercial function, ensuring that all commercial activities align with the organisation’s mission, values, and regulatory obligations.
The Materials Manager is responsible for the sale of material produced throughout the DRS, commercial management, hedging.
Operating at the intersection of procurement, supply chain, and commercial functions, the role focuses strategically owning the material sale process, managing price risk through hedging strategies, and maximising value through effective market engagement and commercial decision-making with potential buyers.
Drawing on strong commercial acumen, the Materials Manager monitors market trends, commodity pricing, foreign exchange exposure, and supply-demand dynamics to inform purchasing, hedging, and sales strategies.
The role works closely with procurement, suppliers, traders, finance, operations, and sales teams to ensure material requirements are met while delivering cost competitiveness, margin enhancement, and risk mitigation.
Key accountabilities include developing sourcing strategies, managing supplier relationships and contracts, executing hedging activities in line with company risk policies, identifying opportunities for material trading or resale, and providing market intelligence to support business planning.
The position plays a critical role in balancing supply security, commercial performance, and financial risk management to support the organisation's overall profitability and growth objectives.
Key Responsibilities & Priorities
- Manage commodity price and foreign exchange risk through approved hedging mechanisms.
- Optimise material purchasing, inventory, and sales decisions based on market conditions.
- Negotiate commercial agreements, contracts, and supply arrangements.
- Monitor commodity markets and provide actionable market intelligence.
- Identify trading and resale opportunities to maximise value and margin
- Collaborate with finance on risk management, forecasting, and hedge effectiveness.
- Build and maintain strategic supplier and customer relationships.
- Ensure compliance with procurement policies, financial controls, and regulatory requirements.
- Deliver cost savings, working capital improvements, and commercial performance targets.
About you
- Proven track record of establishing and developing commercial strategies within new or evolving organisations.
- Strong strategic commercial background with experience building commercial frameworks, processes, and governance from the ground up.
- Ability to align commercial practices with organisational objectives and industry best practice.
- Experience operating in dynamic, fast-paced environments, ideally within start-ups or newly established organisations.
- Adaptable, resilient, and proactive, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and introduce structure and efficiency as processes mature.
- CIPS Level 5 or 6 (or MCIPS) – desirable but not essential.
- Degree in Business, Procurement/Supply Chain, Finance, Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Experience developing multi-year sales strategies.
- Strong key account management experience.
- Ownership of the end-to-end sourcing lifecycle.
- Proven contract negotiation skills, including complex, multi-year agreements.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables and financial modelling.
- Experience drafting and negotiating contracts, including Terms & Conditions (Ts&Cs) and Master Services Agreements (MSAs).
The opportunity
Work that makes a difference - and a place where you can too.
This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to help establish a scheme of national importance, working with purpose-driven colleagues and partners to deliver visible, real-world impact.
You’ll contribute directly to meaningful environmental and social change and in return, we support and reward our team through a range of benefits and initiatives, including:
- Competitive base salary
- Bonus scheme
- 34 days holiday inclusive of bank holidays, additional holidays for length of service
- Flexibility with holidays. You may work on a local public holiday and take an alternative day off, giving you the freedom to celebrate the days that matter most to you.
- 5% employer pension contribution
- Life Insurance: Cover of 4 times base salary
- Private Medical Insurance: Includes GP access and an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for wellbeing support
- Income protection
- Family Leave: Maternity, adoption, parental, and paternity leave policies will be developed to be progressive and inclusive.
- Hybrid Working: 60% office or field-based and 40% home-based, with some flexibility according to business and personal needs.
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Materials Manager employer: Exchange for Change
Exchange for Change is an exceptional employer that offers a dynamic and impactful work environment in Milton Keynes, where you can play a pivotal role in driving environmental change through the UK's Deposit Return Scheme. With flexible work arrangements, competitive benefits, and a strong focus on employee growth and collaboration, you'll find meaningful opportunities to develop your skills while making a difference in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Materials Manager
✨Join Supply Chain Meetups
Get yourself out there by attending supply chain meetups and industry events. It's a great way to meet fellow professionals, learn about trends, and maybe even hear about job openings before they’re posted online.
✨Show Off Your Skills on LinkedIn
Don’t just sit back and wait for opportunities! Post insights or articles on LinkedIn about supply chain challenges or solutions you’re passionate about. This not only showcases your expertise but can catch the eye of recruiters looking for someone like you.
✨Engage with Supply Chain Communities
Dive into online communities related to supply chain operations like forums or groups on Reddit and LinkedIn. Engaging in discussions can help you network, get advice, and you might even stumble upon some hidden job opportunities.
✨Apply through Our Website
When you spot a position at Exchange for Change, make sure to apply through our website directly. It's often the quickest way to get your application in front of the right people and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role of Materials Manager.
We think you need these skills to ace Materials Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Supply Chain Savvy:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in supply chain operations. Whether it’s managing logistics or coordinating with suppliers, we want to see examples of how you've navigated the complexities of the supply chain. Concrete achievements, like reducing costs or improving delivery times, will definitely catch our eye!
Quantify Your Impact:When listing your previous roles on your CV, go for numbers! Mention percentages or actual figures where possible—like how much you've improved efficiency or reduced waste. It's all about showing us the tangible impact you've made in your past positions in supply chain operations.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:In your cover letter, don’t just regurgitate your CV. Instead, connect your experiences specifically to the role at Exchange for Change. Share why you're passionate about supply chain operations and how this full-time role aligns with your career goals—I mean, who wouldn’t want to hear that!
Research and Reflect:Before you apply, take some time to research Exchange for Change and its supply chain operations. Reflect on how your skills and experiences can fit into their operations. Being able to discuss their challenges and how you can contribute to solving them in your application will really make you stand out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Exchange for Change
✨Know Your Basics in Supply Chain Management
Make sure you've got a solid grasp of key supply chain concepts like demand forecasting, inventory management, and logistics. We could be quizzed on these during technical rounds, so brush up on any software tools commonly used in the industry like SAP or Oracle. This knowledge will help us show we can hit the ground running!
✨Show Off Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss real-world scenarios where you've used data analysis to solve supply chain challenges. If you've got experience with tools like Excel or Tableau, get ready to talk about how you've used these to optimise processes or improve efficiencies. Employers love seeing that we can turn data into actionable insights!
✨Highlight Your Teamwork and Project Management Skills
In a full-time role, collaboration is key. Think of examples where you've worked on cross-functional teams or managed projects. Sharing how you navigated challenges while working with diverse groups will show that we can thrive in a dynamic environment like at Exchange for Change.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by Exchange for Change
Look into any unique supply chain challenges Exchange for Change might be facing, whether it's sustainability, supplier relationships, or global disruptions. Being prepared to discuss these topics shows that we're not only informed but also genuinely interested in how we can contribute to their success. That’s a big plus in any interview!
