Materials Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

The materials manager is responsible for planning, coordinating, and direction all materials management activities to ensure the uninterrupted flow of raw materials required to support production, customer demand, and inventory  objectives. This role oversees domestic and international logistics, inventory control, purchasing coordination, warehousing , and supply chain performance while driving cost reduction, service improvements, and on-time delivery metrics. This position collaborates cross-functionally with Operations, Production, Customer Service, Finance and external suppliers to optimize levels, improve logistics, efficiency, and support business growth.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and execute material planning strategies to support production schedules and customer requirements
• Monitor inventory levels and maintain optimal stock availability while minimizing excess and obsolete inventory
• Analyze inventory trends, forecast demand, and implement inventory control procedures
• Lead cycle count programs and ensure inventory accuracy
• Establish and monitor key inventory performance metrics

Domestic and Internation Logistics

• Manage all inbound and outbound domestic transportation activities
• Coordinate international shipping activities including imports and exports
• Ensure compliance with customs regulations, import/export requirements, trade compliance standards, and shipping documentation
• Develop relationships with freight carriers, customs brokers, freight forwarders, and logistics service providers
• Monitor freight costs and identify opportunities for transportation savings
• Resolve logistics disruptions and transportation issues to minimize production and customer impacts
• Track and improve on-time delivery performance and shipping efficiency

Supllier and Supply Chain Management

• Partner with Purchasing and Supply Chain team to ensure material availability and supplier performance
• Evaluate supply delivery performance and address supply chain risks
• Support sourcing initiatives, supplier development, and cost reduction projects
• Develop contingency plans for critical materials and supply disruptions

Leadership and Continuous Improvement

• Direct warehouse operations, receiving storage, material handling, and shipping functions
• Ensure materials are stored safely and efficiently
• Implement best practices to improve warehouse productivity and accuracy
• Maintain compliance with company safety policies and regulatory compliance
• Lead, coach, develop materials, inventory, warehouse and logistics employees
• Establish departmental goals and performance expectations
• participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on inventory management, logistics performance, and operational efficiency
• Support ERP system optimization and process improvements
• Generate reports and provide data-driven recommendations to leadership

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, Logistics, or related field  
• 2-5 year’s experience in the logistics supply chain industry
• Experience in managing domestic and international transportation and logistic operations
• Experience in manufacturing environments
• Supervisory or management experience required

Preferred Qualifications

• Five plus years of experience in materials management, logistics, supply chain, or inventory management
• Experience managing domestic and international transportation operations
• Associate’s degree in supply chain management

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong understanding of inventory management principles and material planning processes
• Knowledge of import/export regulations, customs requirements, and international shipping practices
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Ability to negotiate with carriers, suppliers, and logistics providers
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and supply chain reporting tools
• Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment

Competencies

• Supply chain management
• Inventory control
• Domestic and international logistics
• Strategic planning
• Analytical thinking
• Financial planning
• Decision making
• Communication
• Leadership of a team
• Continuous improvement
• Customer Focus
• Compliance and Risk management
• Results Driven