Materials Manager

Job Summary/Overview

The Materials Manager is responsible for overseeing master production scheduling, raw material allocation, work-in-process coordination, and inventory management to ensure supply plans align with strategic business objectives outlined in the Sales Inventory Operations Process (SIOP). This role also manages purchasing activities to support timely procurement of materials and services, contributing to improved On Time Delivery metrics. In a lean manufacturing environment, the manager directs personnel involved in purchasing, distributing, and expediting materials, as well as those handling shipping, receiving, inventory control, and production scheduling. The position supports uninterrupted operations by securing goods and services essential for production, safety, maintenance, and other functions—purchasing competitively and wisely to promote customer satisfaction, profitability, and organizational growth.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and implement supply plans to meet customer orders, forecasted demand, and inventory stocking requirements.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to manage inventory according to business strategy constraints and targets.
• Actively participate in monthly Sales and Operations Planning meetings, accountable for supply chain reporting.
• Ensure proper utilization of ERP systems across the team.
• Prepare and report on department Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) with analysis and countermeasures.
• Maintain critical inventory parameters for raw materials, considering supply lead time, warehouse, and transportation constraints.
• Interact with demand management, manufacturing, quality, warehousing, and transportation to resolve material issues.
• Measure, analyze, and report key process metrics, monitoring adherence to KPIs.
• Identify potential material shortages and develop action plans.
• Manage long-term capacity status, product shortage reporting, and daily information flow among supply planning partners.
• Define and implement Make-to-Order (MTO) and Make-to-Stock (MTS) strategies.
• Ensure appropriate inventory levels are maintained for all product lines.
• Oversee purchasing activities to ensure timely procurement of materials and services.
• Establish and maintain purchasing systems and procedures to ensure compliant and ethical relationships with all vendors and suppliers.
• Supervise the issuance of purchase requisitions and orders, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timeliness.
• Monitoring MRP recommendations and ERP reports for adequacy and accuracy.
• Expedite and/or escalate problem purchase orders when necessary.
• Manage purchases, inventory levels, and delivery timing to achieve inventory and on-time delivery goals.
• Evaluate excess and obsolete material to drive corrective actions.
• Request bids, analyze costs, and negotiate the best possible cost of ownership with suppliers.
• Identify and lead cost savings initiatives, supporting Lean and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Optimize and maintain parameters and records associated with purchased parts in the ERP system.
• Utilize inventory stratification processes and PFEP (Plan for Every Part) to determine appropriate inventory levels and purchase quantities.
• Oversee resolution of transactional and quality issues related to purchased materials.
• Maintain confidentiality of information obtained during the course of work.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Competencies, and Abilities

• Hands-on experience with supply chain management software (SAP preferred).
• Experience leading supply management processes within a manufacturing organization.
• Ability to analyze data, find creative solutions, generate reports, and present findings.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to think abstractly and collaborate with others.
• Good social skills, including verbal and non-verbal communication.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, apply complex concepts to problem-solving, and negotiate effectively with vendors.
• Thorough understanding of MRP and its inputs in a manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software, including Excel and Word.
• Collaborative team relationship with direct reports, peers, and colleagues.
• Customer-centric, service-minded attitude with a strong sense of urgency.
• Willingness to accept change and new approaches.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. 
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. 
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, are, circumference, and volume.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from four-year college or university; and/or five to ten years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• CPIM certification is a plus. 
• SAP experience is a plus.
• Ability to lift/lower/push/pull up to 40 lbs. safely.