Materials Manager

The Materials Manager is responsible for planning, sourcing, procuring, and managing materials for engineer-to-order, highly customized, project-driven manufacturing operations. This role ensures material availability aligns with unique project requirements, engineering changes, and dynamic schedules. The position requires strong coordination with engineering, project management, and production teams to meet customer requirements while controlling costs and lead times.

• Project-Based Material Planning
  • Develop material plans based on project-specific bills of material and engineering drawings.
  • Adjust procurement strategies to accommodate frequent design changes and customer-driven modifications.
  • Collaborate with project managers to align material availability with schedule critical path.
• Supplier & Subcontractor Management
  • Source specialized components and raw materials for custom builds.
  • Negotiate lead times and expedite orders to meet project milestones.
  • Maintain relationships with niche suppliers capable of handling low-volume, high-complexity requirements.
• Inventory & Logistics
  • Implement project-specific inventory control strategies to minimize excess stock while ensuring timely availability.
  • Coordinate staging and kitting of materials for multiple concurrent projects.
  • Oversee inbound/outbound logistics for custom and oversized components.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Work closely with engineering to validate material specifications and manage revisions.
  • Support project managers in cost tracking and material-related risk mitigation.
  • Participate in project kickoff and review meetings to anticipate material challenges.

• Education
  • Bachelor’s degree in Operations, Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, or related field.
  • MBA preferred.
• Experience
  • 5+ years in materials management within ETO or project-based manufacturing.
  • Strong understanding of ERP/MRP systems and project scheduling tools.
  • Prior leadership experience preferred.
• Skills
  • Ability to manage complexity and ambiguity in custom manufacturing.
  • Strong negotiation and supplier development skills.
  • Familiarity with engineering documentation and BOM management.

• APICS/ASCM CPIM or CSCP for advanced planning and inventory control.
• PMP or similar certification for project coordination experience.