Materials Manager

Role Overview

The Materials Manager is responsible for leading the overall flow, control, availability, and integrity of materials supporting our aerospace manufacturing operations. This position provides leadership across inventory control, material planning, receiving, and material handling to ensure production has the correct material, in the correct quantity, at the correct location, and at the required time. The Materials Manager serves as a key cross-functional partner to Production Planning, Procurement, Quality, Engineering, and Manufacturing and is responsible for establishing disciplined material processes, maintaining ERP/MRP data integrity, improving inventory accuracy, identifying material constraints, and ensuring materials are positioned to support production schedules and customer delivery commitments.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the overall materials function, developing and holding accountable all materials, inventory, and material-planning personnel.
• Oversee MRP and materials planning based on the approved production schedule, demand, BOMs, inventory, lead times, and planning parameters.
• Own the material shortage process, leading shortage reviews, prioritizing recovery actions, and escalating significant risks with clear recommendations.
• Establish and maintain disciplined processes for material receipt, stocking, issuing, staging, kitting, movement, return, and disposition.
• Own inventory accuracy and control across all materials, including establishing cycle-counting programs, inventory-control procedures, and discrepancy root-cause resolution.
• Manage stocking strategies, safety stock levels, reorder points, inventory turns, and the disposition of excess and obsolete materials.
• Ensure material movements and transactions are accurately and promptly recorded in the ERP system to maintain data integrity.
• In close collaboration with the Production Planning Manager, support materials-management processes within the ERP/MRP system, including process improvements and implementation support.
• Partner with Procurement and Production Planning to communicate priorities, expedite materials, and develop recovery plans for supplier lead-time risks.
• Coordinate material requirements for outside processing, new product introductions, engineering changes, and production ramp-ups.
• Lead continuous improvement efforts involving material flow, warehouse organization, inventory accuracy, ERP transactions, 5S, visual management, and production readiness.
• Ensure compliance with lot traceability, shelf-life requirements, FIFO, customer-furnished material controls, and applicable aerospace quality requirements (AS9100).

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Business, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in materials management, inventory management, MRP, supply chain, or a related manufacturing discipline.
• 3+ years of leadership experience managing materials, inventory, planning, or supply-chain personnel.
• Strong hands-on experience with MRP/ERP systems (e.g., Epicor, JobBOSS) in a manufacturing environment with complex, multi-level BOMs.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and resolve material shortages and constraints in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Aerospace and defense manufacturing experience within an AS9100 or similarly regulated quality environment.
• APICS/CPIM, CSCP, or similar supply chain certification.
• Experience supporting ERP implementations or major process improvements.
• Experience with CNC machining, composites, thermal protection systems, or other complex aerospace manufacturing processes.
• Experience building and scaling materials-management processes and teams within a growing organization.

Additional Requirements

• Must have professional working proficiency reading, writing, and speaking English
• Ability to work in office, lab, and manufacturing environments with occasional exposure to noise, chemicals, dust, industrial equipment, and temperature variations
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while working at a computer workstation
• Frequent use of hands and fingers for data entry, keyboarding, and mouse use
• Ability to view computer screens for prolonged periods
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and via email
• Ability to use a computer to complete assignments

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required. Management may modify or assign additional duties as needed.

Job Details

Type: Full-time

Base Salary Range: $80,000-$100,000 annually

Business Hours: Core hours, M-F with availability to work weekends and overtime as needed

Base Location: 100% on-site in Ontario, CA

Travel: None