What Does a Materials Manager Do?
A materials manager oversees the planning, procurement, storage, and distribution of materials needed for production. This role ensures that raw materials and components are available at the right time, in the right quantity, and at the right cost to support uninterrupted manufacturing or operations. By managing inventory levels and supplier performance, the materials manager helps reduce waste, control costs, and maintain efficient workflows.
Materials managers are responsible for developing sourcing strategies, monitoring supplier deliveries, overseeing warehouse processes, and working closely with production teams to align material flow with production schedules. They also manage a team that may include buyers, planners, and inventory specialists, and often play a central role in ERP system management and reporting. Success in this role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to coordinate across multiple departments and vendors.
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Materials Manager Core Responsibilities
- Plan and forecast material needs to meet production schedules
- Oversee procurement of raw materials, components, and supplies
- Monitor inventory levels and reorder points to prevent shortages or overstocking
- Manage vendor relationships and evaluate supplier performance
- Coordinate with production, logistics, and warehouse teams to ensure timely material availability
- Lead a team of buyers, inventory specialists, and materials planners
- Optimize use of ERP/MRP systems for material tracking and reporting
- Maintain accurate records of material usage, costs, and stock levels
- Enforce safety, quality, and compliance standards within material handling operations
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Proficiency in ERP/MRP software (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite)
- Strong understanding of inventory management, supply chain processes, and procurement strategies
- Familiarity with material planning, demand forecasting, and warehouse operations
- Ability to interpret data and generate performance reports
Soft skills
- Excellent organizational and time management skills
- Strong leadership and team coordination abilities
- Effective communication with internal teams and external suppliers
- Analytical thinking and problem-solving under pressure
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, logistics, business, or related field
Certifications
- Required (depending on industry): None
- Preferred:
- Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM)
- Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)
- Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM)
Preferred Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in inventory control, materials planning, or procurement
- Prior experience in manufacturing, distribution, or industrial environments
- Knowledge of lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or just-in-time (JIT) practices
National Average Salary
Materials manager salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Materials Manager is:
$88,255
Sample Job Description Templates for Materials Managers
Manufacturing Materials Manager
Position Overview
We are seeking a Manufacturing Materials Manager to oversee material planning, procurement, and inventory control for our production facility. This role ensures that raw materials and components are sourced, stocked, and delivered efficiently to maintain continuous production flow while minimizing costs and delays.
Responsibilities
- Develop and manage material planning processes to align with production demand
- Monitor inventory levels and implement just-in-time (JIT) strategies
- Source and negotiate with suppliers for raw materials and components
- Coordinate with production, warehouse, and quality control teams
- Ensure ERP data accuracy and maintain up-to-date material records
- Lead a team of buyers and inventory control staff
- Identify process improvement opportunities to reduce waste and costs
Requirements
Hard skills
- Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle)
- Understanding of lean manufacturing, BOMs, and material flow
- Experience with procurement and vendor performance metrics
Soft skills
- Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking
- Cross-functional collaboration and leadership
- Excellent time management and organization
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, manufacturing, or industrial engineering
Certifications
- Preferred: APICS CPIM or CSCP
Preferred Qualifications
- 5+ years in a manufacturing materials or supply chain management role
Warehouse Materials Manager
Position Overview
We are hiring a Warehouse Materials Manager to oversee the storage, inventory control, and distribution of materials within our warehouse operations. This role ensures timely material availability to support production and order fulfillment while maintaining accurate stock levels and space utilization.
Responsibilities
- Oversee warehouse inventory systems and cycle counting processes
- Ensure efficient layout and material flow within the warehouse
- Coordinate inbound material receipts and outbound deliveries
- Maintain accurate records of material movement and usage
- Collaborate with purchasing and production teams
- Supervise warehouse staff and material handlers
- Enforce safety, compliance, and quality protocols
Requirements
Hard skills
- Familiarity with WMS and ERP software
- Knowledge of warehouse layout optimization and inventory tracking
- Experience in shipping/receiving and material handling procedures
Soft skills
- Strong organizational and leadership skills
- Attention to detail in inventory and documentation
- Clear communication across logistics and operations teams
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in logistics, supply chain, or business management
Certifications
- Preferred: OSHA Safety Certification, Six Sigma Yellow Belt
Preferred Qualifications
- 3+ years of experience managing warehouse materials in a distribution or manufacturing setting
Procurement & Inventory Manager
Position Overview
We are seeking a Procurement & Inventory Manager to oversee sourcing strategies, purchasing activities, and inventory management practices. This role is key to maintaining cost-effective procurement processes while ensuring consistent supply of materials across operations.
Responsibilities
- Manage supplier relationships and negotiate contracts
- Forecast material requirements and place purchase orders
- Monitor stock levels and establish reorder points
- Ensure accuracy of inventory records in ERP systems
- Track KPIs related to vendor performance, costs, and stock turnover
- Collaborate with finance and operations for budgeting and demand planning
- Implement cost-saving initiatives and process improvements
Requirements
Hard skills
- Strong knowledge of procurement strategies and vendor evaluation
- Experience with ERP platforms (e.g., NetSuite, Dynamics, SAP)
- Understanding of inventory turnover, demand planning, and sourcing
Soft skills
- Strategic thinking and negotiation skills
- Strong interpersonal and vendor management skills
- Analytical approach to cost control and forecasting
Education
- Bachelor’s in supply chain, business, or operations management
Certifications
- Preferred: CPM, CSCP, or CPSM
Preferred Qualifications
- 5+ years in procurement and inventory leadership
Construction Materials Manager
Position Overview
We are hiring a Construction Materials Manager to coordinate the procurement, delivery, and tracking of materials across multiple job sites. This role supports project timelines by ensuring the timely and cost-efficient flow of construction supplies and building materials.
Responsibilities
- Procure construction materials based on project blueprints and schedules
- Coordinate with project managers and site supervisors for delivery timing
- Maintain material inventory at each job site and central warehouse
- Manage vendor relationships and material lead times
- Track usage and minimize waste across job locations
- Ensure compliance with safety and material storage regulations
Requirements
Hard skills
- Knowledge of construction materials and vendor sourcing
- Experience with construction management or inventory tracking software
- Familiarity with blueprint reading and project scheduling
Soft skills
- Strong logistical and coordination abilities
- Effective communication with field and office teams
- Problem-solving under time-sensitive conditions
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in construction management, supply chain, or business
Certifications
- Preferred: OSHA 30, CM-Lean, or related construction materials credentials
Preferred Qualifications
- 3–5 years of materials coordination experience in commercial or residential construction
Pharmaceutical Materials Manager
Position Overview
We are seeking a Pharmaceutical Materials Manager to manage the procurement, inventory, and regulatory handling of raw materials used in pharmaceutical production. This role is critical to ensuring uninterrupted operations while maintaining full compliance with cGMP and FDA guidelines.
Responsibilities
- Plan and manage material requirements to support production and R&D
- Maintain traceability and documentation of all material movements
- Source and qualify vendors for GMP-compliant materials
- Ensure proper storage conditions and lot tracking
- Collaborate with QA, production, and regulatory affairs teams
- Conduct audits and ensure SOP compliance
Requirements
Hard skills
- Experience with cGMP, FDA regulations, and lot/batch tracking
- Familiarity with ERP and quality documentation systems
- Understanding of pharmaceutical raw materials and handling procedures
Soft skills
- Precision and attention to regulatory detail
- Strong cross-functional communication
- Proactive issue resolution and documentation
Education
- Bachelor’s in supply chain, pharmaceutical sciences, or related field
Certifications
- Preferred: APICS CPIM, Regulatory Affairs Certification (RAC), or GMP Training
Preferred Qualifications
- 4+ years in pharmaceutical or biotech materials management