Materials Manager

At Ventek Solutions, we engineer innovative molded foam, protective packaging, and integrated material solutions that help customers protect products, improve efficiency, and solve complex manufacturing challenges. Our people drive our success, and we're committed to creating an environment where talented professionals can make an immediate impact while continuing to grow their careers. We are seeking a strategic, results-driven Materials Manager to lead procurement, inventory management, logistics, and supply chain operations for our Mount Pleasant (TN) manufacturing facility. This position plays a critical role in ensuring uninterrupted production, optimizing inventory investment, strengthening supplier partnerships, and driving operational excellence across the business. If you thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, enjoy solving complex supply chain challenges, and are passionate about leading high-performing teams, we'd like to hear from you. Candidates should be local to Mount Pleasant, TN as no relocation assistance is available. What You'll Do: Supply Chain & Procurement Leadership Develop and execute sourcing strategies that ensure cost competitiveness, supply continuity, and quality performance. Build strong partnerships with suppliers through effective communication, performance management, and continuous improvement initiatives. Lead supplier negotiations, contract management, and risk mitigation activities. Identify opportunities to reduce material costs while maintaining quality and service levels. Inventory & Materials Planning Lead inventory planning and materials management processes that support customer demand and production schedules. Optimize inventory levels to improve working capital while maintaining high service levels. Ensure inventory accuracy through cycle counting, physical inventory processes, and effective inventory controls. Analyze demand trends, forecast requirements, and proactively manage material availability. Logistics & Distribution Oversee inbound and outbound transportation to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery of materials and finished goods. Partner with transportation providers to improve freight performance, optimize costs, and maintain service excellence. Collaborate with production, planning, customer service, and warehouse teams to improve material flow throughout the operation. Leadership & Team Development Lead, mentor, and develop the Materials, Purchasing, Scheduling, and Logistics teams by fostering accountability, engagement, and continuous learning. Build a culture focused on teamwork, customer service, problem-solving, and operational excellence. Establish clear performance expectations and support employee development through coaching and feedback. Operational Excellence Champion Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives throughout the supply chain. Utilize data and KPIs to identify improvement opportunities and drive measurable results. Improve planning processes, supplier performance, inventory turns, and logistics efficiency. Ensure compliance with company policies, safety standards, and regulatory requirements. What We're Looking For Required Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Logistics, Operations Management, or a related field. Equivalent experience will be considered. 5+ years of progressive leadership experience in materials management, purchasing, supply chain, or logistics within a manufacturing environment. Demonstrated experience leading procurement and inventory management functions. Strong knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel. Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities. Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership skills. #J-18808-Ljbffr