Manager, Materials

The Manager, Materials is responsible for supervising and providing oversight to distribution, inventory control, materials management, production control and scheduling, and/or warehouse/storage functions to ensure that sufficient quantities of direct and indirect materials, parts, and services are available for manufacturing operations and meet the materials control activities of the company. This role will support and lead the areas of forecasting and releasing direct materials including overseeing the preparation of the master production schedule to maximize production efficiency and fulfill product shipment commitments while minimizing manufacturing costs.

Description of Essential Job Functions:

1. Materials Control and Planning

1. Plans and manages the preparation and implementation of short- and long-range inventory plans for raw materials, work in process, and finished goods to minimize material costs and meet delivery requirements of customers.
2. Oversees the preparation and implementation of short- and long-term production plans and schedules, that will allow the company to meet customer requirements properly, while maintaining material activities at lowest possible levels.
3. Monitors and performs periodic audits on all phases of inventory control, production control and scheduling, and/or warehouse functions.  Provides for alternate plans in the event of unforeseen contingencies, including, but not limited to, work stoppages, material shortages, material rejections, new priorities and related problems or adjustments.
4. Analyzes and evaluates production capacities and plans in relation to current short range and long-range customer commitments and advises management as to potential delivery performance problems or required investment in machinery or physical plant.
5. Establishes and recommends approval of expense budgets for material control and material handling sections and implements the necessary controls to keep expenditures within budget limits.

2. Production Control and Scheduling

1. Monitor manufacturing and material schedules, purchase order releases, and quote manufacturing lead-times and availability to fulfill production requirements and shipping commitments.
2. Manage/track incoming orders, production rates, backlog, and expedite requests. 
3. Oversee/prepare the Master Production Schedule (MPS) for production and materials (e.g., fabric, etc.) to provide for the most efficient use of employee skills, knowledge, and use of manufacturing equipment while fulfilling product specifications and shipping commitments. 
4. Support ongoing administration of the Material Requirement Planning (MRP) to maximize production efficiency and fulfill product shipment commitments while minimizing manufacturing costs.
5. Collaborate with manufacturing personnel on production operations to ensure issuing of balanced production schedules while meeting timely product shipments. 
6. Coordinate supplier releases for all component suppliers to meet manufacturing schedules and customer demands.
7. Work with production and customer service to set product lead times and support on time deliveries which meet customer expectations.
8. Verify capacity when there are changes to customer demands or new parts being quoted.
9. Enforce process and procedural compliance in terms and conditions, supplier quality, and ISO.
10. Suggest improvements or alternate methods to reduce manufacturing costs, improve product quality, or improve production efficiency.
11. Participate in lean initiatives including 5S, Kaizens, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), etc.

3. Materials Management

1. Develops materials management programs for the facility based on sales forecasts, materials requirements, and new product development.
2. Forecast material usage, and other commodities in general as needed.
3. Provide detailed material forecasts to suppliers/vendors with required due dates.
4. Review material status on a continuous basis and supervise material releases and deliveries to eliminate production delays.
5. Oversee the design and maintenance of product configurators which support the sales ordering and bill of material development process.
6. Manage/coordinate the receipt, accurate recording, and routing of purchased parts, materials, and equipment. 
7. Supervise subordinate material control personnel to ensure that materials, parts, and components are available in sufficient quantities to eliminate production bottlenecks. 
8. Lead and train Materials team to ensure cross-functional backup for all positions including scheduling.
9. Develop, manage, and measure goals and key performance metrics related to plant materials management, production control and scheduling, and inventory control.
10. Assist others such as manufacturing, design engineering, and specialty products business as required in determining sources of materials or supplies.

4. Inventory Control

1. Oversee the maintaining of inventory levels of purchased components consistent with budgets and business plans.
2. Adjust inventory levels as required by customer demand while maintaining adequate material safety stock.
3. Partner with Finance on inventory control efforts.
4. Establish goals and maintain a DOH inventory of raw, WIP, and Finished Goods.
5. Oversee cycle counts and maintain and ensure inventory accuracy and fill rates for all components.
6. Create, implement, and maintain the FIFO system for all components.
7. Coordinate and direct physical inventory resources for all components, WIP, and finished good areas.
8. Coordinate and perform part audits or cycle counts between inventories.
9. Develop and analyze reports to verify the accuracy and completeness of receiving and distribution information to properly track the use of inventories.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Directly supervises all subordinates and their day-to-day activities.  Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

3. Qualification Requirements: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or relevant field required.  Emphasis on materials control preferred.
• 5-7 years progressively responsible experience in purchasing, inventory control, materials management, production control, and/or production scheduling management, preferably within a manufacturing environment.
• 3-5 years of supervisory experience.  Direct leadership experience of inventory control, materials, or production control team preferred. 
• Experience leading multiple projects/programs of varying complexity and scope
• Experience working cross-functional teams.

• Experience with strategic planning and implementation required.

Computer Skills

• Ability to use a personal computer utilizing spreadsheet and word processing software applications, databases, automated systems, and MRP related software to accomplish work.
• Advanced/Intermediate skill level with Microsoft Office Suite; Word, Excel, Project, and PowerPoint preferred.
• Previous experience working with integrated computer programs and/or applications. 
• Three (3) to five (5) years of intermediate level ERP System experience preferred.  Experience with JD Edwards preferred.

Certificates, Certifications, Licenses, Registrations:

• APICS (e.g., CPIM, CPSM) or other manufacturing/operations certification preferred.