Materials Manager

Materials Manager


The Materials Manager is a key function to drive production planning, inventory control and supplier performance across Ducommun. The Materials Manager has direct organizational responsibility for all elements of material management.


Who are we?


Founded in 1849, Ducommun is the oldest company in California. Starting as a hardware supply store during the California Gold Rush and eventually assisted in the birth of the aerospace industry in Southern California by providing aircraft aluminum to early aerospace pioneers like Lindbergh, Douglas and Lockheed.


Today Ducommun is a global provider of innovative manufacturing solutions for customers in the aerospace, defense and industrial markets. We specialize in electronic and structural systems, producing complex products and components for commercial aircraft platforms, mission-critical military and space programs, and sophisticated industrial applications.


Our facility in St. Croix Falls, WI offers a range of ammunition handling & delivery systems supporting the full spectrum of small and medium caliber weapons.

Job Summary

Materials Manager

• Ensures effective materials management including material storage and inventory control, shipping and receiving, production planning, and supply chain.

• Investigates current supply chain trends and solutions and implements where appropriate.

• Through materials management practices and sales & operations planning, manages key external and internal supply chain elements such as PPV (Purchase Price Variance), supplier performance, material on-time and quality, inventory turns, etc.

• Work with the program team and supply chain team to develop and agree on cost targets for new components prior to customer quote.

Support S&OP (Sales and Operations Planning)

• Key member of S&OP process and meetings including program/production rundown reviews to communicate schedule status, needs and concerns, mitigation planning and actions as required.

• Work with production control and master scheduling, S&OP leader and supply chain members to ensure end-to-end forward looking supply chain process and execution, including demand, sales order entry, production planning, inventory management, and material preparation.

• Provide leadership in developing, improving and implementing sound materials management and flow to minimize lead time and inventory while achieving sales plan and customer service requirements.

Inventory Management and Delivery Performance

• Through materials management practices and sales & operations planning, manages key external and internal supply chain elements to achieve recurring improvement to days sales inventory level.

• Develops metrics for managing inventory costs, delivery times, service levels, and quality.

• Manages and participates in cross-functional teams to resolve delayed customer shipments, component shortages, overtime, priorities, and identified problems.

New Product Support and Introduction

• Key member of new product launch to support program management for flawless new program launch in terms of cost, delivery and quality.

• Partner with program management, manufacturing, engineering, commodity leaders, and operation supply chain teams to ensure proper coordination and effective prioritization with suppliers for NPI launches.

Fiscal Management

• Generate cost, quality and timing targets for new component launches and define/execute action plan in order to achieve target AOP (Annual Operating Plan).

• Manage material, inventory and other costs to support AOP


Internal Communication and Collaboration

• Support and promote company core values of honesty, professionalism, respect, trust and teamwork and utilize the Ducommun Way methodology to achieve objectives.

• Works internally within the supply chain collaborating with supply chain management, S&OP and production scheduling functions.

• Works collaboratively with SBU & operations center leadership and teams to continuously assess operating plan and functional results to apply necessary business improvement methodologies.

• Actively lead/participate in cross-functional business projects improving customer satisfaction to reduce cycle time, past dues and improve on-time delivery with proper inventory.

Policy, Procedure and Process Administration

• Provides supply chain policy guidance, evaluation and direction to staff including the adherence and development of supply chain standard work policies and procedures.

• Ensures effective supply chain management systems and processes are developed, implemented and continually improved.

• Provides supply chain policy guidance, evaluation and direction to staff including the adherence and development of supply chain standard work policies and procedures.

• Provide leadership in developing, improving and implementing sound materials management and flow to minimize lead time and inventory while achieving sales plan and customer service requirements.

Organizational Development

• Provides for selection, training, development, succession and performance evaluation of direct reports.

• Support and foster growth and professional development of direct reports.

• Provides ongoing coaching and mentoring to staff to drive engagement and productivity.

• Provides clear goals and expectations to encourage successful performance of others.

• Provide and support career development planning for direct reports.

Performance Tracking and Measurement

• Reports on core Ducommun performance measurements, defines additional measurements aligned to specific initiatives and areas of opportunity.

• Links and aligns departmental goals to the goals of the operating center, strategic business unit and corporate.

Continuous Improvement

• Investigates current demand trends and solutions and implements where appropriate.

• Supports AS9100 root cause corrective actions, and audits where needed

• Initiates, promotes and drives lean methodologies across all processes and standard work.

• Focus on continuous improvement within scope of responsibilities for developing, improving and implementing sound S&OP practices, material and process planning and flow to minimize lead time and inventory while achieving sales plan and customer service requirements.

• Implements standard work and processes across areas of responsibility.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Strong cross-functional teamwork with collaborative and influential leadership skills.
• Strong analytical, communication, interpersonal, written and verbal skills.
• Highly motivated and able to work in fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge/experience in material, inventory and production control processes.
• Demonstrated experience of team leadership in multiple functions such as Sales/Customer Service, Supply Chain, or Procurement).
• Strong analytical thinking to assess and facilitate forward planning decisions.
• Advanced skills in Excel, Power Point, and Systems Database/Query Capability.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and training skills.
• Strong business and financial acumen.
• Strong team building and talent growth and development skills.
• Understands and has ability to apply lean methodology and concepts into supply chain processes.

Required Experience and Education

• Bachelor's degree, or equivalent, in Business, Supply Chain, or other related degree. MBA preferred
• Minimum of 8 years supply chain or related experience including significant experience in a leadership role. (Commodity management and supplier development experience preferred).
• Minimum of 3 years ERP system experience.
• Minimum 3 years of previous S&OP processes experience.
• ISM or APICS certification preferred.
• CPM, CSM or CPSM preferred.
• Aerospace or Defense manufacturing experience desired.

Licenses, Certifications, etc.

• N/A

Equal Opportunity EmployerVeterans/Disabled

1105 E Pine St
St Croix Falls, Wisconsin, 54024
United States