Materials Manager

Overview

The Materials Manager is responsible for leading inbound material flow, inventory control, warehousing, and internal material handling operations within the manufacturing facility. This role ensures the timely receipt, storage, movement, and delivery of raw materials, components, packaging, and indirect materials to support uninterrupted production. The Materials Manager develops processes, leads warehouse and material handling teams, and drives continuous improvement initiatives that improve inventory accuracy, warehouse efficiency, material flow, safety, and operational performance.

Job Category:
Salary Exempt

Department:
Manufacturing

Reports To:

Sr. Manager Inventory Planning

Hours:

8:00am – 5:00pm, additional hours as needed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee all receiving operations, including scheduling, unloading, inspection, and system transactions.
• Coordinate with suppliers, transportation providers, procurement, and production planning teams to ensure timely material availability.
• Monitor inventory investment, warehouse operating costs, and inventory-related KPIs while identifying opportunities to reduce working capital and improve cost efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with receiving procedures, quality requirements, and inventory control processes.
• Manage dock utilization, yard management activities, and material staging processes.
• Lead warehouse operations, including storage, put-away, replenishment, cycle counting, and inventory optimization.
• Maintain accurate inventory records through ERP system and physical controls.
• Establish and monitor inventory accuracy metrics and corrective action plans.
• Ensure compliance with inventory management policies, FIFO/FEFO requirements, and material traceability standards.
• Develop and maintain efficient material flow strategies from receiving through production consumption.
• Manage material handlers, forklift operators, warehouse associates, and team leaders.
• Ensure timely replenishment of production lines and point-of-use inventory locations.
• Optimize warehouse layouts, storage methods, and material movement processes.
• Implement lean material handling practices to reduce waste, travel time, and non-value-added activities.
• Support line-side delivery, kitting, milk-run, Kanban, and other inventory replenishment programs.
• Partner with Production, Planning, Quality, and Procurement teams to ensure material availability.
• Identify and mitigate material shortages that could impact production schedules.
• Lead, coach, and develop warehouse and material handling personnel.
• Establish performance expectations and accountability measures for the team.
• Conduct performance reviews and support employee development initiatives.
• Promote a culture of safety, quality, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Analyze material flow, labor utilization, space utilization, and productivity metrics.
• Implement process improvements that reduce costs, improve service levels, and increase operational efficiency.
• Maintain safe operation of forklifts, material handling equipment, and warehouse facilities.

Strategic Knowledge & Experience –Broad experience in materials management, inventory control, warehousing, transportation, production support, demand fulfillment, and continuous improvement within a manufacturing environment. Demonstrated ability to optimize material flow, inventory accuracy, warehouse operations, and service levels through effective use of ERP systems, operational metrics, and process improvement methodologies.

Administration and Managemen
t - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership techniques, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Leadership Talent and Development
- Lead, coach, mentor, and develop material team members by establishing performance expectations and conduct regular coaching sessions and annual performance evaluations. Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous learning.

Safety and Compliance
- Champion a safe working environment by ensuring compliance with company safety policies and best…