What does a materials manager do?
Materials managers spearhead the planning and coordination process of a company’s inventory and materials. By overseeing the purchasing department, they work towards materials resource planning, monitoring inventory levels and establishing contracts with vendors. With material cost control as one of the key objectives, a materials manager performs all the planning, organising and controlling that goes into maintaining inventory from within a pre-defined budget. The key duty of a materials manager is to ensure that materials are available in the right quality, quantity, price and place. From maintaining inventory to researching and getting vendors on board, a materials manager is integral to any industry that thrives on inventory.
You might hire a materials manager to:
- Perform material resource management for a company that has inventory or stock
- Monitor the procurement, storage and distribution of raw materials that fall under the category of inventory
- Stick to cost-effective methods while performing material planning and control initiatives
- Purchase and acquire materials as per pre-defined specifications, keeping in mind the accuracy and quality standards
- Ensure efficiency in the entire supply chain process through effective material planning and inventory control
- Keep a log of accurate records of inventory material and stock through diligent documentation
Intro
At [Company X], we take pride in our robust inventory that helps us gain an edge over our competitors. We are seeking a highly skilled materials manager who can proficiently oversee the entire inventory lifecycle within our company. The materials manager candidate must lead the material planning and control activities toward being cost-effective, time-efficient and detail-oriented. With outstanding organisational and record-keeping skills, the job involves material and procurement management that ensures that operations flow smoothly and seamlessly. We are on the lookout for a highly analytical individual, who knows the ins and outs of inventory control systems, with a keen understanding of supply chain, as a whole.
Objectives of the role
- Ensure that there is ready availability of materials, in the right quantity, price and place
- Work towards increased efficiency and cost-effectiveness while undertaking material resource planning tasks
- Supervise the inventory control systems and their various levels, by overseeing the distribution and planning processes
- Foster long-term relationships with vendors and suppliers
- Liaison with senior management to identify gaps/needs in the supply and work towards finding strategic solutions to bridge these gaps
Responsibilities
- Devise, strategise and implement policies and procedures that boost the efficiency of material management and inventory control
- Create accurate logs and records that document all the details regarding inventory control and material planning, particularly procurement activities, vendor details and quantities
- Adhere to local, national, and international laws and safety standards while implementing inventory and material management activities
- Collaborate with other departments within the company to make sure that inventory/material is easily and readily available to them
- Train, manage and oversee subordinates to reach their maximum potential
Required skills and qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in logistics, supply chain management or a relevant area of study
- Prior experience working as a materials manager, or in an inventory management system
- Adept understanding of local and regional laws that are applicable to material management and inventory control
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to foster long-term relationships with vendors and suppliers
- Proficiency in MS Office
Preferred skills and qualifications
- Master’s degree in logistics or supply chain management or a valid certification in materials management
- Proficiency in Lean Six Sigma, ISO 9001 or SAP MM
- Demonstrated experience in organisational or leadership roles
