Cost Manager

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

Job summary

A pioneering aerospace company in Bristol is seeking a Procurement Cost Manager to drive the commercial success of the Valo aircraft. This role involves owning the cost data, managing supplier strategies, and conducting cost analysis. It requires a degree in a STEM field, over 5 years of experience in procurement or cost management, and strong analytical skills. Employees enjoy flexible work arrangements and a supportive culture, with numerous benefits including bonuses and a pension scheme.

Benefits

26 days holiday, plus bank holidays

5 extra days to buy/sell

Bonus for company performance

Company Share Scheme

Pension Scheme with matching contributions

Breakfast provided daily

Qualifications

• 5+ years’ experience in procurement cost management or similar role.
• Strong understanding of cost drivers and structures.
• Proven experience managing complex Bills of Materials.

Responsibilities

• Own and maintain the Valo Procured Bill of Materials.
• Analyze and validate supplier quotations and cost breakdowns.
• Provide cost variance analysis and insight to senior stakeholders.

Skills

Analytical skills

Commercial capability

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Education

Degree in a STEM subject, Finance, or related discipline

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Advanced Excel

Data analysis tools

Job description

Our Mission

At Vertical Aerospace, we are pioneering the way for electric aviation. The Valo, our eVTOL (electric, vertical, take‑off and landing), "zero emissions" aircraft will set a new safety standard for how we will navigate the sky.

We won’t realise our mission following the same legacy processes and traditions our predecessors followed, instead, we want to "redefine" aerospace best practices. We are growing quickly from a prototype business to a scaling SME, and the next few years will be critical to our success and delivering on our ambitious goals. Valo is targeting airliner‑level safety certification in 2028 ahead of entering service with our airline and operator customers.

What to Expect

As Procurement Cost Manager, you’ll play a critical role in shaping the commercial success of the Valo aircraft. You’ll own and manage the cost data that underpins product profitability, supplier strategy, and design-to-cost decisions across the aircraft lifecycle.

Working closely with Engineering, Finance, Programme Management, and Procurement, you’ll bring transparency, accuracy, and control to the Costed Bill of Materials (CBOM). This role offers high visibility, strong cross‑functional influence, and the opportunity to directly impact sourcing decisions and long‑term cost performance as Vertical Aerospace scales toward production.

What You’ll Do

• Own and maintain the Valo Procured Bill of Materials (PBOM), ensuring accurate reflection of design changes, supplier pricing, and commercial agreements
• Analyse and validate supplier quotations and cost breakdowns to ensure competitiveness and consistency
• Develop and maintain cost models for key systems and commodities
• Provide cost variance analysis, trend reporting, and insight to senior stakeholders
• Support make‑versus‑buy decisions and long‑term sourcing strategies with detailed cost analysis
• Partner with sourcing and category teams to support negotiations, value engineering, and supplier selection
• Benchmark supplier costs against market data and industry standards
• Collaborate with Engineering, Finance, and Operations to align on cost targets, assumptions, and change impacts
• Drive improvements in cost management processes, tools, and PBOM reporting

What You’ll Bring

• A degree in a STEM subject, Finance, or a related discipline.
• 5+ years’ experience in procurement cost management, cost engineering, or a similar role within aerospace, automotive, or advanced manufacturing.
• Strong analytical and commercial capability, with a deep understanding of cost drivers and structures.
• Proven experience managing complex, multi‑level Bills of Materials.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and advanced Excel or data analysis tools.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience working in New Product Introduction (NPI) environments.
• Familiarity with should‑cost modelling, parametric costing, and VA/VE methodologies (desirable).

What can you expect from us?

We're on a mission. Where others see limits, we see opportunity, and we work at pace. Working at Vertical isn’t your average role but for those seeking a challenge, a flexible, supportive organisation and an incredible team; working here is an opportunity to do the best work of your career.

Our approach promotes ingenuity and courage, while our environment builds success through diligence in safety and being open in the way we work. The only way we're going to assure the next chapter of aviation history is by working as a team, relentlessly, towards our goal.

Our benefits

• 26 days holiday, plus bank holiday
• 5 extra days per year to buy (or sell)
• 5 extra days holiday when you get married or enter a civil partnership
• Additional 4% of your salary to spend on extra benefits
• Award‑winning digital health and wellbeing service (Help@Hand)
• Company performance based bonus – rewarding company and individual performance
• Company Share Scheme – open to every Vertical employee
• Company Pension Scheme – 5% and we match it
• Breakfast on us, every day

We may just be the hardest job you’ve ever had, but we’re confident it will be the most rewarding. Join the team today and help us shape the future of Advanced Air Mobility.

Disclaimer Statement

We encourage you to apply even if you may not have all the experience listed in the advert. We recognise that talent comes in various forms and we are committed to providing opportunities that create an environment of growth, diversity, and inclusion for everyone. As part of our desire to review and make our processes fair, we may ask you questions related to these aspects during the application process. For more information on how we will use your data, see our Legal section.