Materials Manager

• Job Category: Management , Manufacturing , Operations , Production
• Manage the material requirements planning (MRP) process based on production schedules and forecasts.
• Maintain accurate material forecasts and visibility of on‑hand inventory.
• Identify risks related to material shortages, demand fluctuations, and long lead‑time items.
• Communicate material status clearly to Production, Scheduling, and site leadership.

• Maintain optimal inventory levels to support production while minimizing carrying costs.
• Implement robust inventory control practices (cycle counts, safety stock, ABC classification, FIFO).
• Reduce excess, obsolete, and slow‑moving inventory through proactive management.
• Ensure accuracy of IQMS data such as BOMs, lead times, MOQs, and reorder parameters.

• Lead purchasing activities for the site, ensuring timely procurement of raw materials, packaging, and supplies.
• Issue purchase orders, manage acknowledgments, and ensure pricing and terms align with company standards.
• Work with corporate Supply Chain to align on supplier strategies, contracts, and cost‑savings initiatives.
• Monitor and improve supplier performance, including on‑time delivery, quality, and responsiveness.
• Manage supplier escalations and negotiate recovery plans when needed.
• Ensure compliance with purchasing policies, approval workflows, and audit requirements.
• Partner with Procurement for supplier selection, bidding, evaluation, and cost‑reduction initiatives.
• Provide accurate demand forecasts to suppliers to ensure stable and dependable supply.
• Drive corrective actions for supplier quality issues or delivery failures.
• Support strategic sourcing efforts and value‑engineering initiatives.

• Oversee receiving, storage, material handling, and flow of materials to production.
• Ensure all warehousing processes comply with safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Optimize warehouse layout, material staging, and inventory visibility.
• Coordinate inbound freight and monitor carrier performance.

• Work closely with Production, Scheduling, Engineering, Quality, and Finance to support operational goals.
• Support engineering changes (ECNs) and manage phase‑in/phase‑out transitions for new or obsolete materials.
• Participate in daily/weekly production meetings to provide material status and updates.

• Maintain IQMS accuracy for all material, purchasing, and inventory data.
• Develop and report key performance metrics, including:
  • Material availability
  • Inventory turns
  • Supplier on‑time delivery
  • Purchase order accuracy
  • Inventory accuracy
  • Excess & obsolete (E&O) levels
• Lead or support continuous improvement initiatives across the supply chain.

• Lead and develop the materials team including buyers and warehouse personnel.
• Establish performance expectations and provide coaching and development opportunities.
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the supply chain team.

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations, Business, or related field. (Equivalent experience may be considered.)

• 5+ years of experience in materials management, purchasing, or supply chain in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience managing site‑level purchasing; multi‑site experience is a plus.
• Strong ERP/MRP experience
• Strong analytical, planning, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in procurement best practices and negotiation.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and cross‑functional collaboration.
• Ability to interpret data and drive decisions using KPIs and metrics.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Strong problem‑solving and root‑cause analysis abilities.

Must be able to work and perform what would be considered standard practices for this type of positions in the industry.