Materials Manager

About the role

The Materials Manager is responsible for planning, coordinating, and controlling all material management activities to ensure uninterrupted production and on-time customer delivery. This position oversees production scheduling, inventory control, shipping, receiving, warehousing, customer demand management, supplier scheduling, and logistics operations while maintaining inventory accuracy and cost targets.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage production schedules based on customer demand and capacity.
• Ensure raw materials, purchased components, and packaging are available to support production requirements.
• Monitor customer releases, forecasts, and delivery schedules.
• Coordinate with production, purchasing, and quality teams to minimize disruptions.
• Maintain inventory accuracy through cycle counting and inventory audits.
• Control inventory levels to achieve company targets while preventing stockouts.
• Analyze inventory trends and implement corrective actions for excess or obsolete inventory.
• Manage ERP/MRP system data and inventory transactions.
• Ensure on-time delivery performance to automotive customers.
• Oversee shipping, receiving, warehousing, and transportation activities.
• Coordinate expedited shipments when necessary.
• Monitor freight costs and identify opportunities for cost reduction.
• Communicate material requirements and delivery schedules with suppliers.
• Track supplier performance related to delivery, quality, and responsiveness.
• Escalate material shortages and develop recovery plans.
• Lead and develop materials, shipping, receiving, warehouse, and inventory control personnel.
• Establish departmental goals and performance metrics.
• Conduct employee coaching, training, and performance evaluations.
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Support Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Drive improvements in inventory accuracy, warehouse efficiency, and material flow.
• Participate in customer and third-party audits.
• Lead corrective actions