Materials Manager

SummaryThe Materials Manager directs and coordinates activities within the PC&L department, including planning and scheduling, shipping and receiving, inventory control, and customer interaction. This position ensures the timely planning and supply of production materials to the plant, maintains accurate inventory control, manages production scheduling, and guarantees the delivery of finished goods to customers through the proper use of the material control system. The role also involves managing technical and human resources to prevent additional costs such as downtime, expedited freight, inventory loss, and excess or obsolete materials.Responsibilities and Main Activities- Ensure compliance with established safety policies and procedures.- Participate in the organization’s continuous improvement initiatives.- Support the company’s objectives and core values.- Demonstrate teamwork and collaboration to improve overall performance and service standards.- Direct and coordinate all activities within the Materials Department.- Responsible for plant inventory levels and key performance metrics.- Develop and enforce formal policies and procedures, monitor trends, and implement improvement actions.- Ensure raw materials and components are available for production.- Lead scheduling and shipping departments to meet customer demands and expectations.- Provide leadership, discipline, and support to maintain the highest standards of safety, cleanliness (5S), and professionalism within the materials department.- Meet or exceed customer performance metrics.- Direct all planning functions to ensure efficient and timely delivery of parts.- Oversee all inventory and warehouse management functions, including inventory accuracy.- Manage loading, shipping, and logistics functions in compliance with corporate standards.- Oversee planning and inventory control activities related to engineering changes, part revisions, launches, and builds.- Negotiate contracts with freight carriers and external storage warehouses when required.- Manage material handling, storage, and line supply activities, ensuring accurate material transactions within the plant.- Oversee demand, supply, and service parts management.- Manage production control and weekly requirements tracking.- Provide excellent customer service to both internal and external customers.- Analyze market and delivery conditions to forecast current and future material availability, and prepare related reports.- Develop administrative procedures, workflow studies, operation sequencing, and office layouts to improve efficiency.- Ensure compliance with quality and environmental system requirements related to the department.- Perform other duties as assigned.- Comply with the company’s environmental and climate change policies.- Identify, control, and minimize significant environmental aspects within the area of responsibility.- Ensure mínimal inventory levels.- Improve efficiency in raw material purchasing and usage.- Promote improvements in raw material packaging (returnable packaging).- Ensure and improve sourcing of national and local raw materials.Education / Experience / Skills- Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Materials Management, or a related field from a four-year college or university.- Minimum of 5 years of experience in materials management and production control within a manufacturing environment.- At least 2 years of experience in demand planning, production scheduling, inventory management, customer service, logistics, and regulatory procedures.- Strong knowledge of supply chain management and process development.- Exposure to multiple disciplines within manufacturing operations.-- Lean manufacturing experience is a plus.- Ability to solve scheduling issues with both customers and suppliers.- Strong leadership, planning, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.- Ability to lead and motivate teams effectively.Verbal Skills- Fluent in English (written and spoken).- Must be able to communicate effectively with customers, suppliers, and production personnel.- Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.- Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, employees, and customers.Mathematical Skills- Strong mathematical and analytical skills required.- Strong financial and presentation skills.Reasoning Ability- Must be able to logically analyze problems and develop resolution plans.- Must be able to prioritize tasks and maintain organized planning approaches.- Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.- Ability to interpret instructions and manage multiple abstract and concrete variables.- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to determine root causes.- Propose and oversee the implementation of corrective actions.Computer Skills- Proficient in MS Office (PowerPoint, Word, Excel) and Lotus Notes.- Knowledge of SAP Logistics Module.- Experience with MRP