Position: Material Manager
Reports to: Plant Manager
Mission: We are dedicated to creating value for our customers by providing superior products and services. We will continuously strive to improve our safety, quality, and professional abilities.
Overview: The Materials Manager will lead the planning, procurement, and storage of raw materials and finished products. This role focuses on maintaining ideal inventory levels, reducing costs, and managing vendor relationships.
Classification: Exempt
Compensation: $90,000-$115,000
Key Responsibilities
Supply Chain Leadership
- Lead all purchasing, materials planning, inventory control, warehouse operations, shipping, receiving, and logistics to ensure uninterrupted production.
- Develop and execute material strategies that support customer delivery, inventory optimization, and company profitability.
Procurement & Strategic Sourcing
- Source and procure steel, aluminum, hardware, purchased components, outside processing, packaging, and indirect materials.
- Negotiate pricing, contracts, and supplier agreements while maintaining quality, delivery, and cost objectives.
- Develop strategic supplier relationships and identify opportunities for cost reduction and supply chain improvement.
Production Planning & Inventory Management
- Ensure materials are available to support production schedules while minimizing excess and obsolete inventory.
- Manage inventory accuracy through cycle counting, physical inventories, and inventory control processes.
- Establish stocking strategies, reorder points, safety stock levels, and planning parameters.
- Coordinate material flow between purchasing, production, scheduling, and customer demand.
Supplier Performance
- Measure supplier performance through on-time delivery, quality, responsiveness, and cost metrics.
- Lead supplier corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Develop secondary sourcing strategies to reduce supply chain risk.
Warehouse & Logistics
- Direct warehouse, receiving, shipping, and internal material handling operations.
- Optimize inventory storage, warehouse layout, and material flow to improve efficiency and reduce waste.
- Ensure accurate shipping documentation and timely customer deliveries.
ERP & Data Management
- Maintain accurate item masters, bills of material, lead times, planning parameters, and inventory transactions within the ERP system.
- Develop reporting and KPIs to improve purchasing decisions and inventory performance.
- Drive ERP best practices across the materials organization.
Leadership & Continuous Improvement
- Lead and develop buyers, planners, warehouse personnel, and inventory specialists.
- Establish clear performance expectations, accountability, and employee development plans.
- Champion Lean Manufacturing, 5S, and continuous improvement initiatives throughout the supply chain organization.
Financial Management
- Manage material spend, inventory investment, freight costs, and working capital.
- Support annual budgeting, forecasting, and cost reduction initiatives.
- Drive measurable improvements in inventory turns, supplier performance, and material cost.
Safety & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with company safety standards, quality systems, customer requirements, and regulatory guidelines.
- Maintain proper documentation, purchasing controls, and inventory audit readiness.
Requirements & Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field preferred.
Experience
- 7+ years of progressive materials, purchasing, or supply chain leadership experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Experience supporting fabrication, metal stamping, machining, welding, or industrial manufacturing operations strongly preferred.
- Previous leadership experience managing buyers, planners, warehouse personnel, or inventory teams.
Technical Skills
- Strong working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems (Microsoft Dynamics NAV/Business Central preferred; SAP, Oracle, Epicor, or IQMS also acceptable).
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills with the ability to analyze inventory, purchasing, and supplier performance data.
- Experience implementing inventory control systems and planning methodologies.
Core Competencies
- Strategic sourcing and contract negotiation
- Production planning and materials scheduling
- Inventory optimization and warehouse management
- Supplier development and performance management
- Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement
- Root cause analysis and problem solving
- Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills
- Ability to make data-driven decisions in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
Preferred Certifications
- APICS CPIM
- APICS CSCP
- CPSM
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or higher
Benefits Overview:
· Competitive pay based on experience
· Health Insurance
· Dental and Vision Insurance
· Paid Time Off and Paid Company Holidays
· Employer Paid Basic Life Insurance
· Voluntary Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Child(ren)
· 401(k) with Company Match
· Employer Paid Short Term and Long Disability Insurance
Pay: $90,000.00 - $115,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Education:
Experience:
- materials, purchasing, or supply chain leadership: 7 years (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Watseka, IL 60970 (Required)
Work Location: In person
