Director, Materials

Job Description

Director of Materials

Position Summary

The Director of Materials is a key leadership role within Victaulic’s Fabrication and Pre-Fabrication organization, responsible for the end-to-end strategy and execution of materials management, production planning, procurement execution, and fabrication scheduling across all fabrication facilities. Reporting to the VP, Global Fabrication & Operational Corporate Development, Manufacturing & Operations, this role ensures seamless alignment between customer demand, fabrication capacity, material availability, and supplier performance. The Director will drive standardization, visibility, and operational excellence across the global fabrication network, enabling scalable growth, improved service levels, and optimized working capital. This position serves as a critical connector between Fabrication Operations, Sourcing, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Customer Care, translating commercial demand into executable, efficient, and reliable fabrication and material plans.

Key Responsibilities

Fabrication-Focused Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute a comprehensive materials and planning strategy aligned to the growth of Victaulic’s global fabrication and pre-fabrication business.
• Establish standardized processes, governance, and performance expectations across all fabrication locations.
• Partner with the VP and senior leadership to support strategic initiatives including network expansion, product launches, and operational transformation.
• Drive alignment between fabrication operations, sourcing strategies, and customer delivery expectations.
  
  

Fabrication Scheduling & Production Planning

• Lead enterprise-wide fabrication scheduling across all facilities, ensuring on-time delivery and optimal use of shop capacity.
• Oversee coordination of fabrication activities including pipe processing, skids, coatings, lining, and externally managed services.
• Ensure accurate lead times, production sequencing, and capacity planning across all fabrication sites.
• Facilitate cross-site coordination to balance workloads, mitigate constraints, and support customer commitments.
  
  

Materials Management & Inventory Control

• Own the strategy and execution of inventory management across fabrication facilities, including raw materials, WIP, and finished fabricated assemblies.
• Ensure full compliance with material traceability requirements (heat/lot, country of origin, regulatory standards) critical to fabrication operations.
• Drive inventory optimization including reduction of excess, obsolete, and slow-moving materials, while maintaining high service levels.
• Implement robust cycle count programs, root cause analysis processes, and inventory accuracy initiatives across all locations.
  
  

Procurement Execution & Supplier Coordination

• Lead Buyer/Planner and fabrication procurement teams responsible for sourcing execution, material availability, and supplier coordination.
• Ensure alignment between strategic sourcing decisions and fabrication execution, including expediting, supplier performance tracking, and issue resolution.
• Oversee supplier engagement related to fabrication-specific needs such as coatings, specialty materials, and customer-supplied components.
• Drive improvements in supplier performance, responsiveness, and reliability to support fabrication schedules.
  
  

Material Flow, Layout & Operational Efficiency

• Optimize material flow within fabrication facilities, from receiving through production to final shipment.
• Drive improvements in warehouse layout, storage strategies, and material handling to support high-volume, high-variability fabrication environments.
• Implement and sustain Lean manufacturing principles (Kanban, pull systems, continuous improvement) tailored to fabrication operations.
• Support pre-fabrication and modularization strategies to improve installation speed and customer value.
  
  

Systems, Data & Visibility

• Ensure effective utilization of ERP, planning, and shop floor systems (e.g., BPCS/AS400, Mendix, MRP tools) to drive real-time visibility and decision-making.
• Develop and standardize dashboards and KPIs across fabrication facilities, including schedule adherence, inventory accuracy, and material availability.
• Leverage data analytics to anticipate material shortages, improve planning accuracy, and optimize working capital.
  
  

Cross-Functional Leadership & Integration

• Serve as the primary liaison between Fabrication Operations and key partners including Sourcing, Engineering, Customer Care, IT, and Logistics.
• Ensure early alignment on new product introductions, catalog changes, and engineering updates impacting fabrication and material requirements.
• Support enterprise initiatives related to operational excellence, digital transformation, and global standardization.
  
  

Talent Development & Organizational Capability

• Lead and develop a team of managers, supervisors, planners, analysts, and buyer/planners across the fabrication network.
• Build organizational capability in fabrication planning, materials management, and supply chain execution.
• Establish clear accountability, succession planning, and leadership development across the function.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, ownership, and collaboration aligned with Victaulic’s values.
  
  

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, or related field
• 5 years of progressive experience in materials management, planning, procurement, or supply chain within manufacturing or fabrication environments.
• Proven leadership experience managing multi-site, complex operations, ideally within fabrication, steel, or industrial manufacturing.
• Deep understanding of fabrication processes, material flow, and production scheduling.
• Strong knowledge of MRP/ERP systems and data-driven planning methodologies.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and influence at senior leadership levels.
  
  

Core Competencies

• Strategic Leadership in Fabrication & Operations
• End-to-End Materials & Planning Expertise
• Cross-Functional Influence & Collaboration
• Operational Excellence & Lean Thinking
• Talent Development & Organizational Leadership