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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Material Manager

💰 $95,000 - $155,000

Supply ChainLogisticsManufacturingOperations ManagementProcurement

🎯 Role Definition

A Material Manager is a strategic leader within the supply chain and operations function, tasked with the comprehensive oversight of all processes related to the planning, procurement, storage, control, and distribution of materials and products. This role serves as the critical link between procurement, production, and logistics, ensuring an uninterrupted flow of materials to meet production schedules while optimizing inventory levels to minimize costs and maximize working capital. The Material Manager champions continuous improvement, develops robust supplier relationships, and leverages data-driven strategies to forecast demand, mitigate risks, and ensure the overall material management system aligns with the organization's financial and operational objectives.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Senior Buyer / Purchasing Agent
  • Production Planner / Scheduler
  • Inventory Control Supervisor
  • Supply Chain Analyst

Advancement To:

  • Director of Materials Management
  • Director of Supply Chain
  • Director of Operations
  • Vice President of Supply Chain

Lateral Moves:

  • Procurement Manager
  • Logistics & Distribution Manager
  • Operations Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Develop and execute a comprehensive inventory strategy that aligns with production demands and financial targets, including the management of safety stock levels, reorder points, and lot sizes to optimize turnover and minimize carrying costs.
  • Direct and oversee the planning of material requirements based on production schedules, engineering changes, and sales forecasts, utilizing MRP/ERP systems to ensure material availability and prevent line-down situations.
  • Lead the end-to-end management of the material lifecycle, from supplier sourcing and order placement through receipt, storage, issuance, and reconciliation, including the disposition of excess and obsolete (E&O) inventory.
  • Cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with key suppliers, leading negotiation efforts for pricing, lead times, and terms to secure favorable agreements and build resilient supply partnerships.
  • Champion continuous improvement initiatives within the materials department, applying Lean, Six Sigma, or other methodologies to enhance processes, reduce waste, and increase overall supply chain efficiency.
  • Oversee all inbound and outbound logistics for production materials, coordinating with freight carriers and logistics partners to ensure timely, cost-effective, and compliant transportation.
  • Manage and develop the materials management team, including buyers, planners, and inventory control personnel, by setting clear objectives, providing regular coaching, and fostering a culture of accountability and professional growth.
  • Establish, monitor, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) for material management, such as inventory accuracy, on-time delivery from suppliers, inventory turns, and E&O levels, providing insights and action plans to senior leadership.
  • Ensure the integrity and accuracy of inventory data within the ERP system through the implementation and management of a robust cycle counting program and periodic physical inventories.
  • Collaborate closely with the Production department to understand their build plans and constraints, ensuring material flow is synchronized with manufacturing needs to maximize plant efficiency.
  • Develop and manage the departmental budget for materials, freight, and operating expenses, conducting regular variance analysis and implementing corrective actions to meet financial goals.
  • Mitigate supply chain risks by identifying potential vulnerabilities, developing contingency plans, and qualifying secondary sources for critical components and raw materials.
  • Guarantee that all material handling, storage, and transportation activities comply with company policies and relevant regulatory standards, including safety, environmental, and trade compliance requirements.
  • Drive the evaluation and selection of new suppliers in collaboration with Quality and Engineering teams to ensure they meet the organization's standards for quality, cost, and delivery.
  • Act as the primary point of contact for resolving complex material-related issues, such as supplier quality problems, delivery expedites, and invoice discrepancies.
  • Analyze market trends and economic conditions affecting raw material pricing and availability, providing strategic guidance to the business to proactively address potential impacts.

Secondary Functions

  • Generate and present ad-hoc reports on material consumption, inventory levels, and supplier performance to support executive decision-making.
  • Contribute to the broader supply chain strategy and participate in cross-functional continuous improvement projects across the organization.
  • Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, and Finance teams to support new product introductions (NPI), ensuring a smooth and timely ramp-up of material supply chains.
  • Lead or participate in projects aimed at improving supply chain efficiency, reducing costs, or implementing new systems and technologies.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • ERP/MRP Systems Proficiency: Deep, hands-on experience with enterprise resource planning systems like SAP (MM/PP modules), Oracle, or similar platforms for material planning and inventory control.
  • Advanced Inventory Management: Expertise in applying inventory control methodologies such as Just-In-Time (JIT), Kanban, Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI), and ABC analysis.
  • Supply Chain Planning & Forecasting: Proven ability to develop demand forecasts, create material requirement plans, and manage supply chain analytics.
  • Supplier Relationship Management (SRM): Skill in managing the entire supplier lifecycle, from qualification and negotiation to performance monitoring and development.
  • Logistics and Freight Management: Strong understanding of domestic and international shipping, freight negotiation, incoterms, and customs compliance.
  • Data Analysis & Reporting: Competency in using tools like Microsoft Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUPs), and business intelligence (BI) software (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) to analyze data and create meaningful reports.
  • Budgeting and Cost Control: Experience in developing and managing departmental budgets and a strong understanding of cost accounting principles as they relate to inventory and material variances.

Soft Skills

  • Leadership & Team Development: A natural ability to lead, mentor, and motivate a diverse team, fostering a collaborative and high-performance environment.
  • Negotiation & Influence: Exceptional negotiation skills to secure optimal terms with suppliers and the ability to influence stakeholders across different functions.
  • Strategic & Analytical Thinking: The capacity to see the bigger picture, identify trends from complex data, and formulate long-term strategies to improve material operations.
  • Problem-Solving: A proactive and methodical approach to identifying and resolving complex supply chain challenges under pressure.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Excellent interpersonal skills to build strong working relationships with peers in Production, Engineering, Finance, and Sales.
  • Communication: Clear, concise, and professional communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present complex information to all levels of the organization.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution.

Preferred Education:

  • Master’s Degree (MBA or Master’s in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or a related field).
  • Professional certifications such as APICS (CPIM, CSCP) or ISM (CPSM).

Relevant Fields of Study:

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

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • A minimum of 7-10 years of progressive experience within supply chain, procurement, or materials management roles, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership or supervisory capacity.

Preferred:

  • Direct experience in a fast-paced manufacturing environment (e.g., automotive, aerospace, electronics, consumer goods) is highly preferred. A demonstrated track record of successfully leading a materials team, implementing system improvements, and achieving significant cost reductions and inventory optimization.
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