Director of Materials

Compal; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology firm is seeking a Director of Materials to oversee materials management for its U.S. server manufacturing operations. The role involves defining the materials strategy, building and leading a team, and ensuring on-time and cost-effective supply of components. A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and extensive experience in supply chain management are required. The candidate will collaborate closely with various teams to support growth and operational excellence. This position is based in Georgetown, TX and offers competitive compensation.

Qualifications

• 10–15+ years of experience in materials management, supply chain, or operations.
• At least 5 years at a senior leadership level.
• Deep knowledge of MRP/ERP systems and advanced planning concepts.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute materials strategy for Texas facilities.
• Build and develop a high-performing materials team.
• Oversee sourcing and inventory management.

Skills

Leadership

Supply chain management

Project management

Data analysis

Negotiation

Collaboration

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations, Engineering, or related field

MBA or advanced degree

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Microsoft Dynamics

Job description

Join a next-generation manufacturing organization powering the future of artificial intelligence and high-performance computing. Compal is seeking an experienced Director of Materials to play a pivotal role in supporting the daily operations of a growing electronics manufacturing organization.

Overview

The Director of Materials is a senior leadership role responsible for all materials management activities supporting Compal’s U.S.-based server manufacturing operations in Georgetown, TX. This position oversees end-to-end planning, sourcing, inventory, and warehouse operations to ensure on-time, cost-effective supply of components and finished goods in a high-mix, high-complexity server manufacturing environment. Reporting to the Vice President of Operations, the Director will build and lead the materials organization, drive best-in-class supply chain practices, and collaborate closely with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Finance, and Global Supply Chain teams (Taiwan/Asia) to support rapid growth in the U.S. market.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Organizational Development

• Define and execute the U.S. materials strategy for the Texas facilities, aligned with Compal’s global server business objectives (cost, quality, delivery, and sustainability).
• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing materials team (planning, purchasing, inventory control, warehouse, and logistics).
• Establish materials KPIs and review cadence (OTD, inventory turns, excess & obsolete, supplier performance, material cost variance).
• Partner with the VP of Operations and executive leadership on capacity planning, footprint decisions, and long-range materials capability roadmaps for the site.
• Own Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) and/or Integrated Business Planning (IBP) processes for the Georgetown server manufacturing operation.
• Translate customer demand and forecast into master production schedules, material requirement plans (MRP), and capacity plans.
• Ensure material availability to support NPI, ramp, and mass production builds while minimizing excess and obsolescence.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Engineering, and Program Management to support configuration-to-order (CTO), build-to-order (BTO), and high-mix server production.
• Oversee local and regional sourcing for direct materials (server components, PCBs, chassis, cables, PSUs, storage, etc.) and critical indirect materials.
• Work closely with global sourcing teams in Taiwan/Asia to leverage volume, align contracts, and qualify suppliers for U.S. operations.
• Negotiate pricing, lead time, capacity, and terms with key suppliers to achieve cost, quality, and availability targets.
• Implement supplier performance management (scorecards, QBRs, corrective actions) and drive dual-sourcing and risk mitigation strategies for critical parts.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory, trade, and customer requirements (e.g., TAA, Buy American/Buy America, export controls, conflict minerals).

Inventory & Warehouse Management

• Set inventory strategy and policies (safety stock, min/max, consignment, VMI) to balance working capital and service level goals.
• Oversee warehouse operations in Georgetown for raw materials, WIP, and finished goods, ensuring accuracy, FIFO/FEFO practices, and proper handling of sensitive electronics.
• Drive physical inventory and cycle count programs, reconciling variances and strengthening controls.
• Optimize material flow, kitting, and line-side delivery processes to support lean manufacturing and short lead-time builds.

Systems, Data, and Process Excellence

• Own materials-related ERP/MRP functionality, including planning parameters, BOM accuracy, item master integrity, and transactional discipline.
• Drive standardization and continuous improvement using Lean, Six Sigma, and best-in-class materials management practices.
• Implement dashboards and analytics to enable data-driven decisions on inventory, forecast accuracy, supplier risk, and cost.
• Support NPI processes by ensuring timely material readiness, phase-in/phase-out control, and structured EOL management.

Cross-Functional & Customer Collaboration

• Serve as the primary materials interface for key U.S. server customers and strategic accounts when needed.
• Partner closely with Engineering on AVL/AML management, component lifecycle, and design-for-supply-chain considerations.
• Work with Finance on standard cost setting, PPV analysis, inventory reserves, and budget planning.
• Support Quality and Compliance teams on supplier quality initiatives, audits, and corrective actions.

Skills You Bring

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations, Engineering, Business, or related field required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• 10–15+ years of progressive experience in materials management, supply chain, or operations, with at least 5 years at a senior leadership level.
• Proven experience in server, networking, PC, or related electronics/EMS/ODM manufacturing strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success standing up or scaling U.S. manufacturing or localization operations is a strong plus.
• Deep knowledge of MRP/ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, or equivalent) and advanced planning concepts.
• Strong understanding of electronics BOM structures, component lifecycles, AVL/AML, and configuration management.
• Expertise in S&OP/IBP, demand planning, and capacity planning in a high-mix environment.
• Solid knowledge of international supply chains, logistics, customs, and trade compliance.
• Familiarity with Lean/Six Sigma, JIT, Kanban, and other continuous improvement methodologies.

Leadership & Soft Skills

• Strategic thinker who can operate at both executive and tactical levels.
• Strong people leader; proven ability to build, mentor, and retain high-performing teams.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills across cultures and time zones (Georgetown, broader U.S., Taiwan/Asia, and global customers).
• Demonstrated ability to manage complexity, ambiguity, and rapid change in a fast-paced environment.
• Data-driven decision maker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Customer on-time delivery (OTD) and line-down incidents due to material shortages.
• Inventory turns, days of supply (DOS), and working capital.
• Material cost performance (PPV, cost reduction initiatives).
• Excess & obsolete (E&O) inventory and NPI ramp performance.
• Supplier on-time delivery, quality, and lead-time adherence.
• Team engagement, development, and retention.

Join us as we innovate in materials management! Your expertise will empower our manufacturing processes while fostering a culture of continuous improvement. We value proactive leaders who thrive in collaborative environments and are passionate about streamlining supply chains for maximum impact.