Senior Materials Manager

Ambient Recruiting is partnered with a growing West Michigan manufacturer seeking a Senior Materials Manager to join their team.

The Senior Materials Manager will lead the organization's materials management, inventory control, scheduling, warehousing, and logistics functions to ensure an efficient, high-performing supply chain. This leadership role is responsible for driving continuous improvement, standardizing processes across multiple facilities, optimizing inventory and material flow, and developing a high-performing team. The ideal candidate is a strategic supply chain leader who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and enjoys using data to drive operational excellence.

Responsibilities:

Materials Management

• Lead material planning, scheduling, and supplier release processes across the organization.
• Standardize material flow processes to improve efficiency, consistency, and visibility.
• Partner with Purchasing, Operations, and Demand Planning to align supply with customer demand and production schedules.
• Support capacity planning initiatives to ensure material readiness and minimize supply constraints.
• Drive implementation of Plan for Every Part (PFEP) and other continuous improvement initiatives.

Logistics & Warehousing

• Oversee warehouse, shipping, and logistics operations to ensure efficient product flow and on-time customer delivery.
• Monitor logistics KPIs, including on-time delivery and shipping accuracy.
• Support implementation and optimization of ERP, Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), and Transportation Management Systems (TMS).
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on throughput, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

Inventory Control

• Manage inventory accuracy, cycle counting, and inventory control processes.
• Standardize inventory management practices, including ABC classifications.
• Monitor inventory KPIs and identify opportunities to improve inventory turns and reduce write-offs.
• Analyze inventory and supply chain data to identify trends and implement process improvements.

Leadership & Continuous Improvement

• Own and report supply chain performance metrics while driving accountability across the organization.
• Lead, mentor, and develop supply chain team members.
• Provide training and guidance related to materials planning, scheduling, and inventory management.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve operational performance and customer service.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing and data-driven decision making.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Business, or a related field with at least 5 years of progressive materials management or supply chain experience; or a high school diploma with 10 years of directly related experience.
• Strong experience with ERP systems (QAD or equivalent), inventory management, and materials planning.
• Demonstrated leadership experience with the ability to develop high-performing teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret data and drive improvements.
• Experience managing supply chain KPIs, including inventory accuracy, material flow, and on-time delivery.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Advanced Microsoft 365 and Excel proficiency.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Business Administration, or a related field.
• APICS/ASCM certifications (CPIM, CSCP) or similar.
• Experience implementing or optimizing ERP, WMS, or TMS systems.
• Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, PFEP, or other continuous improvement experience.
• Multi-site manufacturing experience.

Axios Professional Recruitment—an entirely employee-owned company—is the largest independent employer in West Michigan. Our mission is to match people with meaningful, long-lasting, and enjoyable careers, not just a job. Since 1988, we've helped match over 300,000 people just like you with top employers across West Michigan.