Be at the heart of actionFly remote-controlled drones into enemy territory to gather vital information.

Apply Now

Supply Chain Improvement Leader

Oxford Instruments Plc
Bristol
6 months ago
Applications closed

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Material Buyer

Senior Planner

Science Teacher - Physics Specialism

Hardware Design Engineer

Senior Electronics Engineer - Oxford

 

We are excited to announce an exciting opportunity for a Supply Chain Improvement Lead at our Severn Beach, Bristol location. This pivotal role at Plasma Technology is essential to guarantee that our customers receive their products on schedule, at the best possible cost, and with uncompromising quality.

 

This is an exciting and highly visible role reporting directly to the Head of the Supply Chain, with direct engagement with the Executive Leadership Team. As the role holder, you will be pivotal in driving supply chain performance enhancements through lean methodology and the continuous optimization of processes, systems, and tools. You will actively collaborate within the Supply Chain team and lead cross-functional teams to design and implement strategic projects that will create a major impact on performance. Your leadership in this capacity will be vital to our success.

 

The successful candidate will be an experienced supply chain professional who excels in driving continuous improvement while delivering sustainable business benefits. You should possess exceptional technical and communication skills, particularly in recognising and implementing industry best practices within the supply chain. Strong leadership and management experience are crucial for spearheading transformative change in our Supply Chain function. As a valued member of our Management Team, you will play a key role in executing our business strategy, building robust relationships with other departments, and championing ongoing development across Plasma Technology. Join us in making a significant impact!

 

Key Responsibilities:

  • Working with the Head of Supply chain, define and implement best practice processes to meet the target operating model.
  • Develop & implement a standard playbook & toolset for supply chain management
  • Development of standardised reporting for supply chain in areas such as
    • Order book management
    • Shortage management
    • Cost down
    • Supplier performance scorecards
  • Drive ERP compliance and best practices to ensure input and output data are accurate
  • Development of Data Governance framework for ERP across the supply chain
  • Identify skills Gaps and develop training to support the purchasing function
  • Evolve and automate the Supply Chain KPIs and establish and execute phased improvements.
  • Develop and implement improvement governance, including visual management, that enables cross functional engagement, idea generation, prioritisation and effective escalation.

 

Education/Qualifications:

  • 5+ years of Supply chain experience (Purchasing manager or other).
  • MCIPS or similar degree.
  • Project management qualifications an advantage

 

Professional Skills/Abilities:

  • Experience with and sound knowledge of end-to-end complex manufacturing supply chains.
  • Strong experience with Lean methodology within the supply chain & Purchasing processes.
  • An ERP/MRP subject matter expert, with strong data capture and analysis skills.
  • Process Improvement Expertise: Proficiency in Lean, Six Sigma, or other process improvement methodologies.
  • Analytical Skills: Ability to analyse data, identify inefficiencies, and develop data-driven solutions.
  • Project Management: Strong project management skills to lead improvement initiatives from conception to implementation.
  • Communication: Effective communication skills to collaborate with and lead cross-functional teams and convey improvement strategies.
  • Change Management: Experience in driving and managing change within an organization.
  • Leadership: Ability to lead and inspire teams to embrace a culture of continuous improvement.
  • Able to engage cross-functional teams towards desired outcomes, utilising training and coaching effectively.

 

At Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology, we provide tools for the engineering of micro- and nano-structures, with customers using our process solutions to research and produce materials and semiconductors vital for everything from medical devices and diagnostics to electric cars and quantum computers.

 

Benefits:

In addition to a competitive starting salary, Oxford Instruments also offers structured career development opportunities, a good work-life balance, private healthcare, a share incentive plan, 25 days annual leave, half-days on Fridays, a defined contribution Group Personal Pension Plan, and a flexible benefits package that you can tailor to your own requirements.

 

Follow us at www.twitter.com/oxinst or www.facebook.com/oxinst

#LI-Hybrid #LI-AC1

 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and would ask you to get in touch if you are concerned about any barriers you feel you may be facing in your application process with us.

 

Note to recruitment agencies: Oxford Instruments operates a Preferred Supplier List, and we do not accept unsolicited agency CVs. Please do not forward candidate details in response to this advert, or to any Oxford Instruments employees or other company locations. Oxford Instruments is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited CVs.

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

The Best Free Tools & Platforms to Practise Quantum Computing Skills in 2025/26

Quantum computing has moved from theory to practice. No longer confined to physics labs, it is now a serious field of research, development, and even early commercial application. From cryptography and drug discovery to optimisation in finance and logistics, quantum computing is shaping up to be one of the most transformative technologies of the coming decades. For job seekers in the UK, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Roles in quantum computing are appearing not only in big tech but also in finance, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, and government research. Employers want candidates who don’t just understand the theory, but who can actually design, test, and deploy quantum algorithms. The challenge? Quantum hardware is still rare, expensive, and limited. But the good news is that there are many free tools, platforms, and resources you can use to practise quantum computing skills today — building your knowledge, portfolio, and career prospects without spending a penny. This article explores the best free platforms for learning and practising quantum computing, how to use them effectively, and how to build portfolio projects that stand out to UK employers.

Top 10 Skills in Quantum Computing According to LinkedIn & Indeed Job Postings

Quantum computing is transitioning from academic curiosity to a strategic technology with transformative potential in areas like cryptography, materials science, finance, logistics, and optimisation. UK institutions—from tech startups to government research labs—are investing in quantum capabilities and seeking professionals with interdisciplinary expertise to build this emerging field. But which quantum skills are most in demand today? By analysing LinkedIn and Indeed job listings, this article presents the Top 10 quantum computing skills that UK employers are targeting in 2025. Alongside each, you’ll find guidance on how to demonstrate your proficiency on your CV, in interviews, and through project-based proof of work.

The Future of Quantum Computing Jobs: Careers That Don’t Exist Yet

Quantum computing has long been described as the next frontier in technology. Unlike classical computers, which process information in binary (0s and 1s), quantum computers use quantum bits—or qubits—that can exist in multiple states simultaneously. This allows them to perform certain calculations exponentially faster than today’s most powerful supercomputers. For now, quantum computing is still in its early stages. But progress is accelerating. Tech giants such as IBM, Google, and Microsoft are racing to build scalable quantum systems. Start-ups across the UK, including Oxford Quantum Circuits and Cambridge Quantum, are developing applications that could transform industries from finance to pharmaceuticals. The UK government has invested heavily in quantum technologies, with the National Quantum Strategy allocating billions to research and commercialisation. Universities are training a new generation of quantum scientists and engineers. Demand for quantum skills is already outpacing supply. Yet the real transformation is still to come. As quantum computing converges with AI, cyber security, biotechnology, and materials science, entirely new jobs will emerge—roles that don’t exist today but will be essential tomorrow. Many of the most important quantum computing jobs of the next two decades don’t exist yet. This article explores why new careers will appear, the future jobs likely to emerge, how today’s roles will evolve, why the UK is well positioned, and how professionals can prepare now.