Material Manager

Description:

  

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and manage material planning, purchasing, and inventory strategies.
• Ensure timely availability of raw materials, components, packaging, and other production supplies.
• Monitor inventory levels, demand forecasts, lead times, and material requirements.
• Coordinate with Procurement, Production, Operations, Quality, Engineering, and Sales to align material availability with business needs.
• Manage supplier relationships, delivery performance, shortages, and material-related issues. 
• Establish and maintain inventory targets, reorder points, safety stocks, and cycle-count programs.
• Analyze inventory accuracy and resolve discrepancies in collaboration with warehouse and operations teams.
• Identify opportunities to reduce excess and obsolete inventory while maintaining service levels.
• Monitor and improve supplier on-time delivery, quality, and overall performance.  VENDOR SCORECARD PROGRAM      DEVELOPMENT IS A MUST
• Develop and maintain material planning processes and systems, including ERP/MRP data accuracy.
• Prepare and analyze reports related to inventory, purchasing, material availability, and supply chain performance.
• Support budgeting, cost-reduction initiatives, and strategic sourcing activities.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, quality standards, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Lead, coach, and develop materials, purchasing, and/or inventory personnel as assigned.

Key Performance Indicators

• Inventory accuracy and turns
• Material availability and production support
• Supplier on-time delivery
• Inventory carrying costs
• Excess and obsolete inventory
• Purchase price and material cost performance
• Production shortages and line disruptions
• Forecast and MRP accuracy

Work Environment: Manufacturing, warehouse, or distribution environment, with regular interaction across operations, procurement, suppliers, and leadership teams.

Requirements:

  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Business, Operations, or a related experience preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in materials management, supply chain, purchasing, inventory, or manufacturing operations.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems and inventory management processes.  
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other business software. Infor Visual experience is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally and lead process-improvement initiatives.

Preferred Traits:

• Hands-on, detail-oriented, and proactive.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, small to mid-size manufacturing operation.
• Familiar with lean manufacturing, 5S, and continuous improvement principles.