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.

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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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