Materials Manager II

Job Title: Materials Manager II

Job Description

The Materials Manager II leads the site’s materials, purchasing, and production planning functions to achieve supply chain objectives and support overall business goals. This role develops and executes strategic sourcing and inventory management plans, drives cost savings initiatives, and ensures reliable material availability for production. The Materials Manager II also plays a key role in new product development, engineering change management, and continuous improvement activities, while leading a team of buyers and planners in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a strategic materials and supply chain plan that aligns with site and corporate objectives, including identifying and implementing spend strategies.

• Support new product development and the engineering change notice (ECN) process as it relates to purchasing and production planning.

• Build, maintain, and manage a material cost savings funnel in line with Operating Company objectives, and drive approved cost reduction projects to completion.

• Lead and manage sourcing projects with a focus on Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), ensuring optimal cost, quality, and delivery performance.

• Manage supplier performance using supplier scorecards in collaboration with Supplier Quality Engineering to ensure consistent quality and reliability.

• Set, track, and report monthly and annual materials goals that support site objectives, including inventory, service levels, and cost metrics.

• Use value stream mapping and other lean tools to streamline materials and planning processes, reduce waste, and minimize inventory levels.

• Participate in the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process to align demand, supply, and capacity plans.

• Assist in product life cycle analysis for Kanban and ERP-managed items and own the implementation and ongoing management of all direct material Kanban systems.

• Maintain an assertive follow-up system to ensure plant production schedule compliance and timely material availability.

• Own, teach, and manage the execution of Plan for Every Part (PFEP), Every Part Every Interval (EPEI), Optimizers, and other lean production planning tools.

• Understand and manage the impacts of system changes on MRP and ERP, particularly in the context of upcoming ERP implementations or upgrades.

• Collaborate and interface effectively with Management, Supervision, Customer Service, Quality, Finance, Engineering, and Operations to support cross-functional objectives.

• Evaluate and recommend Make/Buy decisions to optimize cost, capacity, and risk.

• Negotiate MRO and indirect material contracts, as well as other major capital purchases, ensuring favorable commercial terms and risk mitigation.

• Work closely with the Operating Company Sourcing group to implement sourcing and cost reduction projects.

• Participate in broader global projects across the organization as needed.

• Provide strong leadership to a team of buyers and planners, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and openness to change.

• Partner with shop floor supervision to execute continuous improvement initiatives in materials flow, inventory management, and planning processes.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience in supply chain management, materials management, or inventory management in a manufacturing environment.

• Hands-on experience with CNC machining operations and materials planning in a machining-centric setting.

• Demonstrated leadership experience managing or leading materials, planning, or supply chain teams.

• Experience working with ERP and MRP systems, including involvement in ERP changes or implementations.

• Strong knowledge and practical application of Kanban systems and ownership of inventory management utilizing Kanban.

• Strong knowledge of strategic sourcing methodology and its application in a manufacturing or industrial context.

• Ability to manage Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) across sourcing and supplier management activities.

• Strong negotiation skills with a solid understanding of commercial, regulatory, and intellectual property elements of contracts.

• Proficiency in lean tools such as value stream mapping, PFEP (Plan for Every Part), EPEI (Every Part Every Interval), and other lean production planning tools.

• Strong problem-solving, critical thinking, and analytical skills for data-driven decision making.

• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of employees, managers, customers, and suppliers.

• Ability to partner effectively with shop floor supervision to execute continuous improvement initiatives.

• Comfort with change and demonstrated ability to lead through transitions, including ERP or system implementations.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience leading or participating in global or multi-site sourcing and supply chain projects.

• Background in supporting new product development and engineering change processes from a materials and purchasing perspective.

• Experience in a highly engineered industrial, motion control, or power transmission manufacturing environment.

• Familiarity with S&OP processes and cross-functional planning.

• Exposure to managing supplier scorecards and working with Supplier Quality Engineering.

• Experience managing or influencing Make/Buy decisions in an industrial or manufacturing setting.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate across functions and levels.

• Demonstrated ability to drive cost savings initiatives and track performance against materials and inventory goals.

Work Environment

This is a 100% onsite role based in Cuyahoga Heights, OH, within a manufacturing facility that supports a global industrial business focused on motion, power transmission, and automation solutions. Standard working hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., providing a predictable daytime schedule. The Materials Manager II leads a team of eight associates, consisting of four buyers and four planners, and works closely with operations, engineering, quality, finance, and other functional teams on site. The environment is dynamic and fast-paced, with an emphasis on continuous improvement, lean practices, and collaboration. The facility operates CNC machining and utilizes ERP/MRP systems, Kanban, and other lean tools to manage materials and production. The culture supports innovation, openness to change, and participation in broader global initiatives across multiple sites and regions.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Cleveland, OH.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $115000.00 - $145000.00/yr.

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Prescription Drug Coverage • Spending accounts (HSA, Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA) • Paid Time Off and Holidays • 401k Retirement Plan with Matching Employer Contributions • Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance • Paid Leaves • Tuition Assistance

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Cleveland,OH.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 7, 2026.

About Aston Carter

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io (%View email address on click.appcast.io) for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.