Materials Manager

Job Description Apply now Apply Now Start applying with LinkedIn Start Please wait... Materials Manager Job Location: Sparks Posting Start Date: 10/30/26 Are you the type of leader who can spot a potential supply disruption before it happens and solve it before production skips a beat? If so, this Materials Manager opportunity could be your next career move. You'll own inventory strategy, supplier coordination, warehouse operations, and team leadership, helping ensure seamless material flow while driving improvements in cost, efficiency, and service performance. Come join the Fluidra team in Sparks, MD. WHAT YOU WILL CONTRIBUTE The Materials Manager is responsible for overseeing the end-to-end flow of materials required to support manufacturing and distribution operations, including inventory management, warehouse/material handling activities, and purchasing coordination. This role ensures material availability to support production schedules while maintaining optimal inventory levels, minimizing total cost, and improving supplier performance. The Materials Manager plays a key role in balancing service level, cost efficiency, and inventory investment through effective planning, procurement execution, and continuous improvement. This position operates at a hands-on managerial level and is accountable for both tactical execution and functional leadership within materials and purchasing activities. Additionally, you will: Materials & Inventory Management Oversee receiving, put-away, storage, and distribution of materials supporting manufacturing and shipping operations Maintain inventory accuracy above 99% through disciplined transaction control and cycle counting Manage WIP, raw materials, and finished goods inventory to support production schedules Establish and maintain min/max levels and safety stock strategies based on demand and lead times Reduce stockouts, excess inventory, and obsolete/scrap material through proactive planning Optimize warehouse layout, space utilization, and internal material flow using Lean principles Ensure accurate ERP/WMS system usage for all inventory movements and reporting Purchasing & Supplier Coordination (Integrated Procurement Function) Create, release, and manage purchase orders for production and indirect materials as needed Coordinate with suppliers to ensure on-time delivery and alignment with production schedules Monitor supplier performance including delivery reliability, quality, and responsiveness Resolve shortages, late deliveries, and material discrepancies in collaboration with vendors Support sourcing activities by obtaining quotes and comparing supplier pricing and lead times Partner with Procurement/Finance to support cost reduction initiatives and spend optimization Maintain awareness of supplier lead times and proactively adjust ordering strategies Production & Planning Support Collaborate with Production Planning to align material availability with production requirements Support demand planning through inventory analysis and usage trends Communicate material constraints or risks impacting production schedules Assist in expediting critical materials to prevent line disruptions Leadership & Team Management Supervise materials/warehouse personnel including hiring, training, and performance management Establish standard work, job responsibilities, and accountability structures Conduct performance reviews, approve timecards, and support employee development Foster a safe, disciplined, and performance-driven team environment Identify training gaps and implement cross-training and skill development programs Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence Lead 5S and Lean initiatives to improve safety, efficiency, and material flow Reduce receiving lead times and improve internal logistics performance Identify and implement process improvements in inventory accuracy and purchasing workflows Track and report KPIs including inventory turns, stock accuracy, supplier performance, and mat…

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