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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Material Coordinator

💰 $45,000 - $65,000

Supply ChainLogisticsManufacturingOperations

🎯 Role Definition

At the heart of a smooth and efficient manufacturing or production environment lies the Material Coordinator. This role is the operational linchpin ensuring that the right materials, in the right quantities, are in the right place at the right time. A Material Coordinator is a proactive problem-solver and a master of organization, overseeing the entire lifecycle of materials within an organization—from receiving and storage to issuance and shipment. This individual bridges the gap between the warehouse, the production floor, and the procurement team, utilizing enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems to maintain impeccable inventory accuracy and support uninterrupted operations. Success in this position directly impacts production efficiency, cost control, and overall supply chain integrity.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Inventory Clerk / Inventory Assistant
  • Warehouse Associate / Shipping & Receiving Clerk
  • Production Assistant

Advancement To:

  • Senior Material Coordinator / Material Control Lead
  • Supply Chain Analyst
  • Production Planner / Scheduler
  • Procurement Specialist / Buyer

Lateral Moves:

  • Logistics Coordinator
  • Junior Buyer / Purchasing Agent

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Proactively monitor and maintain optimal inventory levels for raw materials, components, and finished goods, executing purchase requisitions as needed to prevent stockouts while avoiding excess.
  • Coordinate the systematic flow of materials from the stockroom to various production lines and departments, ensuring timely delivery in alignment with demanding manufacturing schedules.
  • Conduct regular cycle counts, physical inventories, and inventory audits to ensure the highest degree of stock record accuracy within the company's ERP/MRP system.
  • Manage the receiving process for all incoming materials, meticulously verifying shipments against purchase orders and engineering drawings for quantity, part number, and quality, and promptly reporting any discrepancies.
  • Accurately issue materials, parts, and supplies to specific manufacturing work orders, ensuring all system transactions are completed in real-time to reflect consumption.
  • Utilize MRP and ERP systems (such as SAP, Oracle, or JDE) to effectively plan, manage, and track material requirements based on production forecasts and master schedules.
  • Serve as a key communication link with suppliers and vendors to confirm delivery timelines, expedite critical orders, and collaboratively resolve any shipping or quality issues.
  • Identify, quarantine, document, and manage the disposition of non-conforming, damaged, or obsolete materials in accordance with strict quality control and company procedures.
  • Prepare, package, and document materials for outbound shipments, including inter-company transfers and customer orders, ensuring compliance with all shipping regulations.
  • Maintain a clean, safe, and highly organized warehouse and stockroom environment by consistently applying 5S principles and other lean manufacturing methodologies.
  • Investigate inventory discrepancies by performing root cause analysis, reconciling system data with physical counts and transaction histories to implement corrective actions.
  • Act as the primary point of contact for all material-related inquiries from the production floor, engineering, and quality departments, providing prompt and accurate information.
  • Operate material handling equipment, such as forklifts, pallet jacks, and high-reach trucks, in a safe and efficient manner to move and store materials.
  • Kitting of materials for specific production runs or customer orders, which involves accurately picking, assembling, and packaging all necessary components into a single unit.
  • Collaborate closely with Planning and Procurement teams, providing critical feedback on vendor delivery performance, material quality, and potential supply chain risks.
  • Manage the Return to Vendor (RTV) process for defective or incorrect materials, ensuring proper documentation is completed for timely credit and material replacement.
  • Participate actively in daily production meetings to stay informed of schedule changes, and to proactively communicate and address any potential material constraints or shortages.

Secondary Functions

  • Generate and analyze routine inventory reports on key metrics such as inventory turns, slow-moving stock, and potential shortages, presenting findings to supply chain management.
  • Support continuous improvement initiatives within the warehouse and materials department, suggesting and helping implement new processes to boost efficiency and reduce costs.
  • Assist in training new team members or junior staff on material handling procedures, system transactions, and safety protocols.
  • Participate in internal and external audits related to inventory, safety, and quality, ensuring all documentation and processes are in compliance.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • ERP/MRP Software Proficiency: Deep, hands-on experience with enterprise resource planning systems like SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, or a similar platform is essential for inventory and transaction management.
  • Inventory Management Principles: A strong, practical understanding of inventory control techniques, including cycle counting, FIFO/LIFO, min/max levels, and safety stock.
  • Microsoft Office Suite: Advanced proficiency in MS Excel for data analysis, reporting, and creating tracking spreadsheets. Competency in Word and Outlook is also required.
  • Data Analysis & Reporting: The ability to pull data from various systems, analyze it for trends and discrepancies, and present it in a clear, actionable format.
  • Material Handling Equipment Operation: Valid certification and experience operating forklifts, pallet jacks, and other warehouse equipment is often required and highly valued.
  • Supply Chain & Logistics Fundamentals: A solid grasp of basic supply chain concepts, including procurement, transportation, and warehouse operations.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional Attention to Detail: Meticulous accuracy is non-negotiable when it comes to part numbers, quantities, and data entry to prevent costly errors.
  • Strong Organizational & Time Management Skills: The ability to prioritize a dynamic workload, manage multiple tasks simultaneously, and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
  • Proactive Problem-Solving: An aptitude for identifying potential issues before they become critical, investigating root causes, and implementing effective solutions.
  • Effective Communication: Clear and concise written and verbal communication skills to effectively liaise with internal teams, supervisors, and external suppliers.
  • Teamwork and Collaboration: A cooperative mindset with the ability to work effectively as part of a larger operations team to achieve common goals.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate's or Bachelor's Degree.
  • Certification in supply chain or inventory management (e.g., APICS CPIM).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Logistics
  • Business Administration
  • Operations Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2-5 years of direct experience in a materials, inventory control, or warehouse role.

Preferred: Hands-on experience within a fast-paced manufacturing, distribution, or aerospace environment is highly preferred.

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