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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Materials Program Manager

💰 $110,000 - $195,000

Supply ChainProgram ManagementManufacturingHardware EngineeringOperations

🎯 Role Definition

As a Materials Program Manager (MPM), you are the central nervous system of our product development and manufacturing operations. You will be the strategic driver ensuring that all materials and components are available to support our product roadmap, from the earliest stages of New Product Introduction (NPI) to high-volume manufacturing and end-of-life. This is a highly cross-functional and visible role where you will partner with Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, and Finance to mitigate risks, optimize costs, and flawlessly execute our build plans. This role requires a proactive and analytical leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and can orchestrate complex supply chains with precision and foresight.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Supply Chain Planner / Analyst
  • Procurement Specialist / Commodity Manager
  • NPI Operations Program Manager
  • Manufacturing Engineer

Advancement To:

  • Senior Materials Program Manager / Principal MPM
  • Director of Supply Chain Management
  • Head of NPI Operations
  • Senior Manager, Global Supply Management

Lateral Moves:

  • NPI Program Manager
  • Commodity Manager or Global Supply Manager
  • Operations Program Manager
  • Technical Program Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Spearhead material readiness for New Product Introduction (NPI) programs, creating and executing detailed material plans from initial concept through to mass production ramp.
  • Develop, maintain, and meticulously validate the Bill of Materials (BOM), collaborating with Engineering to manage changes and ensure BOM accuracy and integrity at all stages of the product lifecycle.
  • Act as the primary point of contact for all material-related matters, generating and presenting comprehensive Clear-to-Build (CTB) reports to executive leadership and key stakeholders.
  • Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate supply chain risks, including single-source dependencies, geopolitical issues, capacity constraints, and component lead time fluctuations.
  • Drive material cost reduction initiatives by partnering with Global Supply Managers and Engineering to identify alternative components, negotiate with suppliers, and optimize sourcing strategies.
  • Manage and communicate component and material status, driving escalations with internal teams and external suppliers to resolve shortages and ensure on-time delivery for critical development builds.
  • Lead cross-functional team meetings with Engineering, Operations, and Quality to align on material strategies, schedules, and risk mitigation plans.
  • Develop and implement robust inventory control strategies to minimize Excess and Obsolete (E&O) material liability while ensuring supply continuity.
  • Coordinate with global Commodity Managers to secure supplier capacity and ensure alignment with production forecasts and long-term technology roadmaps.
  • Own the material planning and procurement strategy for engineering development builds, prototype runs, and pilot productions, ensuring timely execution.
  • Analyze and present detailed BOM and supply chain risk assessments during key product development gates, providing clear recommendations for go/no-go decisions.
  • Facilitate the component qualification process by coordinating between Engineering, Quality, and suppliers to ensure all parts on the AVL (Approved Vendor List) meet specifications.
  • Manage the material transition and cut-over for engineering changes (ECOs), minimizing scrap and ensuring a smooth implementation on the factory floor.
  • Develop sophisticated supply and demand models to accurately forecast material requirements and identify potential gaps in the supply plan.
  • Serve as the commercial lead for all program-specific materials, managing supplier relationships and performance to meet program goals for cost, quality, and delivery.
  • Create and manage the end-of-life (EOL) plan for all program materials, ensuring a seamless transition to next-generation products while minimizing financial liability.
  • Partner with the factory operations team to resolve any material-related issues that impact production line uptime, quality, or output.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives for material management systems, tools, and processes to enhance efficiency, visibility, and scalability.
  • Oversee the complete material procurement lifecycle, from purchase requisition generation through to delivery at the contract manufacturer.
  • Conduct regular supplier business reviews to monitor performance, address challenges, and strengthen strategic partnerships for long-term program success.
  • Ensure all program materials adhere to industry and regulatory compliance standards, including RoHS, REACH, and conflict minerals reporting.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to inform strategic supply chain decisions.
  • Contribute to the organization's broader data and analytics strategy and roadmap for supply chain management.
  • Collaborate with business units and IT to translate complex data and reporting needs into engineering and system requirements.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering and systems teams to improve supply chain tools.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • ERP/MRP Systems: Deep proficiency with enterprise resource planning systems such as SAP, Oracle, or NetSuite for material planning and procurement.
  • PLM Software: Hands-on experience with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) tools like Agile, Arena, or Windchill for BOM management and change control.
  • Advanced Data Analysis: Expert-level skills in Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, Macros) and proficiency in data visualization tools like Tableau or Power BI.
  • SQL: Ability to write and execute SQL queries to extract and analyze data from various supply chain databases.
  • Supply Chain Modeling: Experience building complex supply and demand models to forecast material needs and identify potential risks.
  • BOM Management: Expertise in creating, managing, and structuring multi-level Bills of Materials for complex hardware products.
  • Clear-to-Build (CTB) Reporting: Proven ability to create, manage, and present detailed CTB reports.
  • Cost Analysis: Strong financial acumen with experience in should-cost modeling, cost tracking, and variance analysis.
  • Inventory Management Principles: In-depth knowledge of inventory control strategies, including JIT, safety stock calculation, and E&O mitigation.
  • Supplier Relationship Management (SRM): Familiarity with SRM tools and processes for tracking supplier performance and collaboration.
  • Project Management Software: Proficiency with tools like JIRA, Confluence, Smartsheet, or Microsoft Project for tracking tasks and milestones.

Soft Skills

  • Cross-Functional Leadership: Ability to influence and lead teams without direct authority, driving consensus among Engineering, Operations, and Finance.
  • Exceptional Communication: Clear, concise, and persuasive communication skills, with the ability to present complex information to executives and technical teams alike.
  • Strategic Negotiation: Proven ability to negotiate effectively with suppliers on cost, lead times, and capacity.
  • Analytical Problem-Solving: A structured approach to identifying root causes of complex problems and implementing effective, scalable solutions.
  • High-Pressure Execution: Ability to thrive and make sound decisions in a fast-paced, high-stakes NPI environment.
  • Attention to Detail: Meticulous and detail-oriented approach to managing complex BOMs and material data.
  • Strategic Thinking: Capacity to see the bigger picture and develop long-term material strategies that align with business goals.
  • Adaptability: Flexibility to manage ambiguity and adapt to rapidly changing priorities and engineering designs.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field.

Preferred Education:

  • Master's Degree (e.g., MBA, MS in Supply Chain Management or Engineering).
  • Professional certifications such as PMP, APICS (CPIM, CSCP).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Business Administration
  • Industrial or Mechanical Engineering
  • Operations Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 5-12 years of progressive experience in materials management, supply chain, or program management within a hardware-focused industry.

Preferred:

  • Direct experience in a New Product Introduction (NPI) environment, preferably in consumer electronics, automotive, or medical devices.
  • Proven track record of managing complex, multi-level BOMs from concept to mass production.
  • Experience working with overseas contract manufacturers and a global supply base.
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