Senior Materials Manager

Senior Materials Manager-Des Plaines, IL | $100,000–$110,000 | Full-Time | On-Site Build the Future of Manufacturing Leadership Are you an experienced Materials Manager ready to take the next step in your career? Our client, a growing custom manufacturing organization in Des Plaines, IL, is seeking a Senior Materials Manager to lead materials management, purchasing, inventory control, and supply chain strategy within a highly customized sheet metal fabrication environment.

This is more than a day-to-day Materials Manager position. The successful candidate will work closely with Operations, Engineering, Sales, Quality, Finance, and Executive Leadership to improve supply chain performance, optimize inventory, strengthen supplier relationships, and support long-term company growth. This position offers a clear path toward a future role as Director of Materials.

• $100,000–$110,000 annual salary
• Clear career path toward Director of Materials
• Executive mentoring and professional development
• Collaborative leadership team
• Stable and growing manufacturing environment

• Develop and execute materials and supply chain strategies aligned with company growth objectives.
• Lead purchasing, inventory control, and warehouse operations.
• Optimize inventory levels while maintaining high customer service and on-time delivery performance.
• Develop and manage Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning (SIOP) processes.
• Establish long-range inventory and material planning strategies.
• Improve ERP/MRP utilization through data-driven planning and decision-making.
• Develop and monitor supply chain KPIs and executive-level performance reporting.

• Develop strategic supplier relationships and supplier performance programs.
• Identify opportunities for global sourcing while managing cost, quality, lead time, and supply chain risk.
• Negotiate and manage supplier relationships to support company objectives.
• Develop risk management and business continuity strategies.

• Lead ERP implementation and continuous system improvement initiatives.
• Champion Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement throughout materials and supply chain operations.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, reduce costs, improve inventory turns, and increase operational efficiency.
• Build scalable materials processes to support continued organizational growth.
• Support capital planning and manufacturing expansion initiatives.

• Lead, coach, mentor, and develop the Materials organization.
• Establish measurable performance expectations and accountability.
• Develop succession plans and future leaders within the department.
• Partner cross-functionally to resolve complex materials and production challenges.
• Present strategic recommendations and business cases to senior leadership.