Supply Chain & Materials Operations Manager

Supply Chain & Materials Operations Manager

Location: Marietta, Ohio
Job Type: Full-Time, Direct Hire
Pay: Starting at $95,000/year (higher compensation available based on experience)
Travel: Up to 20%

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Supply Chain & Materials Operations Manager to lead material planning, purchasing, inventory management, and supplier performance for a manufacturing operation that supports both quick-turn and custom-built projects.

This hands-on leadership role combines strategic supply chain planning with daily operational execution. The ideal candidate will be comfortable leading a Buyer/Planner team, collaborating across departments, and developing supply chain strategies that keep production moving while optimizing inventory investment.

### Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Buyer/Planners
• Assign workloads and balance priorities across multiple projects and commodities
• Conduct performance reviews and establish measurable goals
• Mentor team members through cross-training and professional development
• Maintain coverage plans to ensure uninterrupted support

Material Planning & Project Support

• Align material availability with active production and project schedules
• Participate in project kickoff meetings to review bills of material and identify long-lead components
• Monitor shortages and lead cross-functional efforts to resolve supply risks
• Partner with project teams to ensure material plans support delivery commitments
• Support fast-turn and custom manufacturing programs through proactive planning

Sales & Demand Planning

• Provide material lead-time guidance during the quoting process
• Participate in Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning (SIOP) activities
• Analyze future demand to position strategic inventory and reduce lead-time risk
• Support customer stocking programs, blanket orders, and inventory agreements

Strategic Supply Chain Management

• Develop sourcing strategies for critical materials and long-lead components
• Identify supply risks and recommend mitigation plans, including dual sourcing and safety stock strategies
• Execute supplier agreements and purchasing strategies
• Perform make-versus-buy evaluations and support inventory investment decisions
• Monitor market trends that could impact material costs or availability

Inventory & Warehouse Performance

• Manage inventory levels, working capital, and material availability
• Drive improvements in inventory turns while supporting production requirements
• Lead excess and obsolete inventory reviews and disposition activities
• Maintain inventory policies including safety stock levels, reorder points, and cycle counting
• Coordinate annual physical inventory activities

Supplier Management

• Monitor supplier performance for delivery, quality, responsiveness, and lead times
• Conduct supplier business reviews and implement improvement plans
• Support supplier qualification and corrective action processes
• Assist with pricing agreements, blanket purchase orders, and long-term supplier partnerships

ERP & Data Management

• Maintain accurate ERP/MRP planning data, supplier information, and item records
• Ensure procurement and planning activities are executed through ERP systems
• Review planning outputs and resolve system or parameter issues
• Partner with internal teams to improve reporting and planning capabilities

Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Develop supply chain performance dashboards and KPI reports
• Present inventory, supplier, and material availability metrics to leadership
• Lead initiatives focused on process improvement, inventory optimization, and warehouse efficiency
• Support Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement efforts

### Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field

7+ years of progressive supply chain experience in a manufacturing environment

Minimum of 3 years leading buyers, planners, or purchasing teams

Experience supporting industrial, electromechanical, electrical equipment, or manufacturing operations

Advanced knowledge of ERP/MRP systems such as SAP, Oracle, Epicor, Infor, IFS, or similar platforms

Demonstrated success improving inventory performance while maintaining material availability

Experience managing supplier performance, quality initiatives, and strategic sourcing

Strong analytical skills with proficiency in Microsoft Excel and supply chain reporting

Excellent leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills

### Preferred Qualifications

APICS CPIM or CSCP certification, or ISM C.P.M./CPSM certification

Experience supporting power distribution or industrial equipment manufacturing

Knowledge of UL, ANSI, NEMA, NEC, or IEC standards

Experience developing commodity strategies for electromechanical components

Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma Green Belt/Black Belt certification

Experience with vendor-managed inventory (VMI), consignment programs, or blanket purchasing agreements

Familiarity with international sourcing and import compliance

### Core Skills

Supply Chain Leadership

Materials Planning & Procurement

ERP/MRP Systems

Inventory Optimization

Supplier Relationship Management

Strategic Sourcing

Demand Planning

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Data Analysis & Reporting

Continuous Improvement

### Work Environment

Full-time, on-site position with regular presence on the manufacturing floor, warehouse, and receiving areas

Exposure to industrial equipment and production operations

Up to 20% travel for supplier visits, sourcing activities, and industry events

Ability to participate in physical inventory activities and respond to critical supply chain issues when necessary