Materials Manager

Job Description

The Materials Manager is responsible for leading and managing all materials and supply chain activities at Creative Liquid Coatings, Inc., including customer service, demand planning, production scheduling, procurement coordination, inventory control, warehousing, receiving, and shipping. This role ensures accurate system transactions, optimized material flow, strong supplier performance, and on‐time delivery to meet customer, operational, and financial objectives. The Materials Manager partners cross‐functionally to support plant operations, new product launches, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Roles and Responsibilities

Materials & Supply Chain Leadership

• Lead and manage all plant materials functions, including customer service, scheduling, purchasing coordination, inventory control, warehousing, receiving, and shipping.
• Supervise and develop materials personnel, including schedulers, customer service representatives, cycle counters, material handlers, and receiving staff.
• Establish departmental goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) related to delivery, inventory, cost, and service.
• Conduct performance reviews, manage corrective actions, and ensure compliance with company policies.

Planning, Scheduling & Customer Fulfillment

• Develop and manage integrated planning processes supporting make‐versus‐buy decisions, capacity planning, scheduling, inventory, and cost optimization.
• Analyze customer demand, sales forecasts, and historical usage to execute build‐to‐order and build‐to‐forecast plans.
• Ensure customer demand is accurately represented in ERP systems, including EDI transactions, customer portals, cumulative requirements, and manual orders.
• Maintain 100% compliance with customer on‐time delivery requirements and proactively communicate risks.

Launch & Program Support

• Develop macro capacity plans, pack‐out demand targets, and ramp‐up strategies for new programs.
• Manage launch materials activities including launch banks, prototypes, tooling tryouts, and customer approvals.
• Coordinate production and supplier schedules to support program milestones and SOP readiness.

Inventory, Warehouse & ERP Governance

• Direct MRP‐related activities to control raw materials, WIP, and finished goods inventory.
• Set and maintain inventory parameters including min/max levels, reorder points, lead times, and master data.
• Lead cycle counts and physical inventories; investigate variances and coordinate reporting with Finance.
• Maintain accurate inventory records including customer returns, supplier returns, and shipping discrepancies.
• Ensure materials are received, recorded, labeled, and stored accurately in the ERP system.
• Develop and improve warehouse layout and material flow to maximize efficiency and space utilization.

Supplier & Freight Management

• Develop and manage supplier relationships to meet cost, quality, and delivery expectations.
• Establish and monitor supplier performance using scorecards and corrective action processes.
• Manage freight activities and support cost‐reduction initiatives.
• Participate in corrective action meetings with suppliers and internal teams.

Financial Management & Continuous Improvement

• Prepare and manage the materials budget; monitor spending, analyze variances, and initiate corrective actions.
• Publish materials performance metrics, A3s, and reports to support continuous improvement.
• Support month‐end closing activities related to inventory and materials valuation.
• Participate as a member of the operations leadership team in cross‐functional decision‐making.
• Ensure a safe and compliant work environment in alignment with EHS requirements.
• Travel as required to support customers, suppliers, and business needs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skill and Education Requirements

• Years of progressive experience in materials, supply chain, or manufacturing environments.
• Minimum of 5 years of leadership or management experience.
• Strong knowledge of MRP/ERP systems (IQMS or similar).
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office and reporting tools.
• APICS CPIM certification preferred.
• Strong understanding of inventory control, demand planning, production scheduling, and supply chain best practices.
• Experience with Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and cost‐reduction initiatives.
• Strong analytical, problem‐solving, and decision‐making skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, influence cross‐functional partners, and perform in a fast‐paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong financial acumen including cost analysis, budgeting, and make‐versus‐buy analysis.
• Ability to build effective relationships with customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders.

Work Environment

• Work is performed in both office and manufacturing environments.
• Occasional exposure to fumes, airborne particles, chemicals, and extreme temperatures.
• Noise levels are typically low to moderate.
• Standard work schedule consists of 8–10 hours per day, five days per week.
• Occasional domestic or international travel may be required, sometimes on short notice.
• Must comply with all company safety policies and procedures.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Authority

• Authority to assign, prioritize, and manage materials and supply chain activities.
• Authority to supervise, evaluate, and develop materials department employees.
• Authority to establish inventory controls, planning parameters, and scheduling strategies.
• Authority to recommend supplier selection, sourcing strategies, and corrective actions.
• Authority to manage materials budgets within approved limits.
• Authority to enforce company policies, procedures, and compliance requirements related to materials management.
• Authority to escalate supply risks and delivery concerns to leadership.

With over 30 years of industry experience and a footprint spanning 10 United States locations, Creative Liquid Coatings is a powerhouse in integrated manufacturing. We bridge the gap between complex plastic injection molding and world-class automated finishing, utilizing a fleet of over 150 machines ranging from 85 to 5,000 tons. Our versatile paint lines accommodate a wide range of component sizes, providing a seamless, end-to-end production solution that combines massive scale with precision engineering for the most demanding industrial applications.