Materials Department Lead

Job Description

Job Description

At Areté, we are on the forefront of utilizing innovative solutions, with great minds from all backgrounds, to help solve the nation's most complex security challenges. We strive for an inclusive, collaborative team environment that approaches differences as opportunities for innovation and excellence. As an employee-owned company, we foster an atmosphere that propels diverse career opportunities and professional growth.

Discover your future with us.

The Materials Department Lead is responsible for overseeing and strategically directing Areté's materials operations across all company locations. This is a high-impact leadership role where you will own the materials strategy for diverse defense and commercial programs, build and mentor a high-performing team, and directly influence company growth and operational excellence. This position offers broad strategic scope, rapid decision-making authority, and direct visibility to executive leadership.

This role supports mission-critical defense programs while driving materials excellence across multiple customers, product lines, and technologies. You will modernize systems, implement best practices, and shape the future of Areté's materials function. This position is based in our Tucson, AZ or Niwot, CO office and is a supervisory, exempt, full-time leadership position.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead, manage, and develop the Materials Department across all Areté locations, including materials planners, specialists, coordinators, and shipping/receiving
• Own end-to-end materials operations: planning, procurement coordination, inventory management, kitting, warehouse operations, and logistics
• Develop and execute strategic materials and supply chain plans aligned with company objectives and program requirements
• Establish and maintain materials management systems, policies, and procedures across defense and commercial operations
• Ensure compliance with DoD requirements, AS9100D / ISO 9001:2015, DFARS, ITAR/EAR, FAR, and applicable customer standards
• Partner cross-functionally with Engineering, Production, Procurement, Quality, Program Management, and Finance to ensure materials readiness and program success
• Implement and optimize MRP/ERP systems (Costpoint experience highly valued) to support production schedules and forecasting
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on inventory accuracy, cycle time reduction, cost optimization, and operational excellence
• Manage materials budgets and cost control; support Estimate at Completion (EAC) processes
• Serve as primary materials interface for customer engagements, audits, and program reviews
• Develop and track key performance metrics; provide regular status reporting to executive leadership
• Support both government and commercial customer programs with agility and responsiveness
• Build organizational capability: recruit, train, and develop materials talent; create career progression pathways
• Support response to supply chain disruptions and material shortages with effective mitigation strategies

We have an impressive range of benefits, programs, and perks that we offer:

Health & Wellness:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Life and Long-Term Disability (LTD)
• Vision Reimbursement
• Fitness Reimbursement

Financial:

• Company-funded 5% contribution to your 401(k) retirement plan
• Company-funded 5% contribution to your Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Continuing Education Assistance
• Performance-based bonus opportunities

Work-Life Balance:

• Flexible Scheduling
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Parental and Bereavement Leave

What We Value:

• Creativity and innovation in solving challenges
• Integrity and responsibility in all actions
• Collaboration across teams and specialties
• Responsiveness in fast-paced environments
• Passion for national security and excellence
• Leadership through influence and example

 

Experiences and Background We Look For (Required Skills):

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or related field
• 5+ years of progressive experience in materials, supply chain, or procurement operations
• 2+ years of leadership/management experience with demonstrated ability to build and develop high-performing teams
• Proven experience in defense contractor or aerospace manufacturing environments
• Experience with MRP/ERP systems (Costpoint, Oracle, SAP, or similar)
• Demonstrated expertise in materials planning, inventory management, and warehouse operations
• Thorough knowledge of ITAR/EAR compliance requirements (universal requirement for all materials operations)
• Strong understanding of DoD contracting requirements, GFE handling, FAR/DFARS, and military specifications
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to influence and collaborate across all levels
• Active Secret clearance or ability to obtain and maintain clearance
• U.S. citizenship required

Nice to Have (Preferred Skills):

• Master's degree in relevant field
• Active Top Secret clearance
• Project Management Professional (PMP) or APICS/ASCM certification (CPIM, CSCP)
• Track record of successfully implementing or scaling materials management systems
• Knowledge of laser systems, electro-optics, or advanced sensor technologies
• Experience with international shipments and coordination with customs brokers verifying import/export documentation and ensuring compliance with customs regulations and HTS classification
• Experience with advanced supply chain planning tools and analytics
• Experience in fast-growth or entrepreneurial defense contractor environments
• Proven ability to drive organizational change and process improvement (Lean, Six Sigma)
• Experience managing materials operations across multiple facilities/locations
• Experience supporting both government and commercial customers
• Strong understanding of cost accounting and earned value management principles

Travel: ~25% to support operations in Tucson, AZ; Niwot, CO; and Healdsburg, CA along with occasional customer/supplier support locations

The annual salary range for this role is $105,000 to $135,000; however, Arete considers several factors when extending an offer of employment, including but not limited to: the position and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills. Total compensation includes competitive base salary, performance bonuses, ESOP contributions, and comprehensive benefits.