DIRECTOR OF MATERIALS

DIRECTOR OF MATERIALS Location: West Michigan Reports to: General Manager Employment Status: Full-Time, Salaried Exempt A well-established manufacturing organization is seeking an experienced Director of Materials to lead its materials and supply chain operations. This is a key leadership opportunity within a fast-paced manufacturing environment. The Director of Materials will oversee inventory management, purchasing, supplier performance, production planning, and materials coordination while supporting operational efficiency and business growth. Position Overview The Director of Materials will provide strategic and hands-on leadership for the organization’s materials and supply chain functions. This position will be responsible for maintaining appropriate inventory levels, reducing excess and obsolete materials, supporting product line transitions, improving supplier performance, and ensuring materials are available to meet production requirements. The successful candidate will partner closely with Operations, Production, Engineering, Quality, Finance, Sales, and external suppliers to align materials strategy with overall business objectives. Key Responsibilities Lead inventory management and materials planning activities. Maintain appropriate inventory levels while reducing excess and obsolete materials. Manage materials during product line transitions and engineering changes. Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships. Monitor supplier delivery, quality, responsiveness, and performance. Collaborate with Sales, Operations, and Production Planning to improve demand forecasting. Align purchasing and material requirements with production schedules. Monitor inventory accuracy, turnover, service levels, and obsolescence. Identify and implement cost-reduction and process-improvement opportunities. Prepare reports and provide actionable analysis to senior facility leadership. Partner with Finance to improve inventory accuracy, working capital, and cost control. Ensure materials meet quality, compliance, and production requirements. Lead, develop, and hold the materials team accountable for performance. Support continuous improvement initiatives involving planning, purchasing, logistics, and warehouse operations. Travel periodically as needed to support business operations and suppliers. Perform other duties as assigned by the General Manager. People Leadership Expectations The Director of Materials must be an exceptional people leader who builds trust, establishes clear expectations, and develops high-performing teams. This individual will: Lead with professionalism, accountability, and respect. Be visible, engaged, and accessible to employees. Coach and develop team members to strengthen performance and capabilities. Address performance concerns promptly and constructively. Recognize employee contributions and encourage continuous improvement. Foster collaboration across departments and functional teams. Communicate clearly and consistently at all levels of the organization. Motivate employees and create a positive, accountable work environment. Build strong relationships with employees, peers, suppliers, and facility leadership. Promote teamwork, ownership, and operational discipline. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations, or a related field preferred. Minimum of five years of progressive materials or supply chain management experience in a manufacturing environment. Demonstrated experience leading teams and cross-functional initiatives. Strong knowledge of inventory control, purchasing, forecasting, material planning, and supplier management. Experience with ERP and inventory management systems. Strong analytical, problem-solving, decision-making, and negotiation skills. Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities. Proven ability to coach, develop, and lead employees. Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.…

View the full posting and apply