What are the responsibilities and job description for the Materials Manager – Inventory Control position at IFab Corporation?
Job Summary:
The Materials Manager will be responsible for the planning, procurement, and control of all materials used in production, ensuring accurate inventory levels and timely material availability. This role is critical to maintaining efficient manufacturing operations, minimizing material shortages or overages, and leading a team that supports IFABCorp’s transformation toward lean and scalable processes.
Key Responsibilities:
Qualifications:
The Materials Manager will be responsible for the planning, procurement, and control of all materials used in production, ensuring accurate inventory levels and timely material availability. This role is critical to maintaining efficient manufacturing operations, minimizing material shortages or overages, and leading a team that supports IFABCorp’s transformation toward lean and scalable processes.
Key Responsibilities:
- Inventory Control & Optimization
Develop, implement, and maintain effective inventory control strategies using lean principles. Ensure accurate stock levels to support production needs while reducing excess and obsolete materials. - Procurement Leadership
Manage the procurement of raw materials and components, negotiating with suppliers to ensure cost-effective and timely purchasing aligned with quality and specification requirements. - Supplier Management & Performance
Establish supplier KPIs, build strong vendor relationships, and collaborate to resolve delivery or quality issues proactively. - Production Planning Integration
Collaborate with production and engineering teams to align material availability with build schedules and customer delivery timelines. - Inventory Systems Management
Lead the effective use of ERP systems to track materials transactions, conduct cycle counts, and ensure inventory accuracy. - Team Leadership
Supervise and coach the materials and inventory team. Set clear goals, provide training, and promote a culture of ownership, collaboration, and continuous improvement. - Forecasting & Data Analysis
Use historical data, demand trends, and capacity planning to forecast material needs and support strategic purchasing decisions. - Reporting
Prepare and present reports on inventory performance, material costs, supply risks, and process KPIs to senior leadership.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in materials management, inventory control, or supply chain roles within a manufacturing environment (metal/automotive industry preferred).
- Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes (tooling, stamping, fabrication) and materials (metals, fasteners, components).
- Proficiency with ERP systems (e.g., SAGE, SAP, Oracle, Epicor) and Microsoft Excel; experience implementing inventory modules or MRP systems a plus.
- Demonstrated ability to lead teams, drive process improvements, and manage vendor performance.
- Strong analytical skills with attention to detail and a commitment to data-driven decisions.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and organizational abilities.