Materials Manager

Location: Louisville, KY
Industry:  Manufacturing
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary: $90,000 - $120,000+ (Based on Experience)

About the Role

Our client, a growing manufacturer in the glass industry, is seeking an experienced Materials Manager to oversee all materials planning, inventory control, purchasing, warehousing, and logistics functions. This position plays a critical role in ensuring uninterrupted production by maintaining material availability, optimizing inventory levels, and driving supply chain efficiency.

The ideal candidate will have a strong manufacturing background, proven leadership experience, and expertise in inventory management, procurement, and ERP/MRP systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all materials planning, inventory control, purchasing, warehousing, and logistics activities.
• Develop and execute materials plans that support production schedules and customer demand.
• Maintain accurate inventory levels of raw materials, packaging materials, and finished goods.
• Implement and manage cycle counting, physical inventory programs, and inventory variance analysis.
• Monitor key inventory performance metrics including inventory turns, inventory accuracy, and obsolete material reduction.
• Oversee procurement activities for raw materials, consumables, and packaging supplies.
• Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships to ensure quality, cost, and delivery objectives are met.
• Negotiate supplier pricing, contracts, and delivery agreements.
• Partner with Quality and Engineering teams to resolve supplier performance and quality concerns.
• Manage warehouse operations including receiving, storage, material handling, and shipping.
• Ensure materials are handled safely and stored in compliance with company and regulatory standards.
• Coordinate inbound and outbound logistics to support production requirements and customer deliveries.
• Utilize ERP/MRP systems to manage purchasing, planning, inventory transactions, and reporting.
• Analyze inventory valuation, material usage, supplier performance, and cost trends.
• Lead and develop warehouse and materials team members through coaching, training, and performance management.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing and supply chain best practices.
• Collaborate with Production, Engineering, Quality, Finance, and Sales teams to support operational objectives.
• Promote a strong safety culture through training, accountability, and leadership by example.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of progressive materials management, purchasing, or supply chain leadership experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of inventory control, purchasing practices, and ERP/MRP systems.
• Experience managing warehouse operations and inventory accuracy programs.
• Proven leadership experience managing teams in a manufacturing setting.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within glass manufacturing, heavy manufacturing, or high-temperature industrial processes.
• Six Sigma Green Belt certification or higher.
• Experience with automation, equipment integration, or advanced manufacturing systems.
• CAD software experience (AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or similar).
• Project management experience leading operational improvement initiatives.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Key leadership role with direct impact on plant performance and customer satisfaction.
• Opportunity to drive supply chain improvements and inventory optimization initiatives.
• Collaborative manufacturing environment with strong cross-functional involvement.
• Competitive compensation package and career growth potential.
• Ability to make a measurable impact on operational efficiency and business performance.