Materials Manager

RedBrick Staffing; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A medical device company in California is seeking a Materials Manager to oversee procurement, inventory, and distribution of materials used in spinal surgery. The role ensures compliance with FDA and ISO standards while developing strong supplier relationships and managing costs. Candidates should have a degree in Supply Chain or related fields, along with over three years of experience in materials management, preferably in medical devices. Strong negotiation and analytical skills are essential for this position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, or related field.
• 3+ years of materials management experience in medical devices, biotech, orthopedics, or biologics.
• Knowledge of FDA QSR, ISO 13485, AATB standards for handling human/animal-derived tissue.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems and demand-planning tools.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and cross-functional communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee procurement, inventory, warehousing, and distribution of materials.
• Manage suppliers and negotiate supply agreements.
• Ensure compliance with FDA and ISO standards.
• Implement inventory management systems to optimize storage.
• Coordinate inbound/outbound logistics for production.

Job description

The Materials Manager oversees procurement, inventory, warehousing, and distribution of raw materials, implants, biologics, and sterile-packaged bone graft products used in spinal surgery. This role ensures uninterrupted material availability for manufacturing, regulatory compliance, and surgeon‑driven demand—while maintaining strong supplier relationships and cost‑effective operations.

This position supports production of Class II/III medical devices and biologic grafts, requiring deep attention to traceability, quality standards, and FDA/ISO compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Evaluate, select, and manage suppliers based on delivery performance, cost, and material quality.
• Negotiate supply agreements for implants, allograft/xenograft materials, packaging components, and sterile processing services.
• Analyze price proposals and market data to maintain competitive material costs.
• Establish and maintain strong supplier relationships and address issues related to defective or non‑conforming materials.
• Develop procurement strategies that ensure supply continuity for biologics with strict shelf-life requirements.

Inventory & Materials Control

• Maintain and review inventory records, ensuring accuracy, traceability, and compliance with ISO 13485 and FDA 21 CFR Part 820 standards.
• Monitor inventory levels for implants, bone grafts, sterile containers, reagents, and packaging, ensuring no shortages or excess stock.
• Implement inventory management systems (ERP/MRP) to reduce waste and optimize storage conditions for biologic materials.
• Conduct regular audits to ensure material accuracy and prevent expired graft materials from entering the supply stream.

Logistics & Production Support

• Coordinate inbound/outbound logistics to maintain alignment with production schedules for spine implants and bone graft processing.
• Oversee receiving, warehousing, and internal movement of temperature‑sensitive or sterile-packed products.
• Ensure materials are delivered to production and clean‑room environments on time to support sterilization scheduling and product release.

Quality, Compliance & Documentation

• Maintain fully compliant material documentation including COAs, donor tracking, UDI‑related labeling materials, and sterilization documentation.
• Evaluate incoming materials for proper quality, sterility documentation, and product specifications.
• Support corrective actions when suppliers fail to meet required quality or regulatory specifications.

Cost & Process Optimization

• Analyze market trends to identify cost‑reduction opportunities while maintaining strict biologic quality standards.
• Implement systems and process improvements to enhance material flow efficiency in a regulated environment.
• Lead and mentor the materials management team to ensure high performance and adherence to controlled processes.
• Train staff in handling sterile products, traceable graft materials, and controlled‑environment warehousing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, or related field.
• 3+ years of materials management experience, ideally in medical devices, biotech, orthopedics, or biologics.
• Knowledge of FDA QSR, ISO 13485, AATB standards, and requirements for handling human/animal‑derived tissue.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems and demand‑planning tools.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and cross‑functional communication skills.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Understands the unique constraints of bone graft processing (expiration, lot traceability, donor documentation).
• Experienced with high‑mix, low‑volume implant inventory typical of spine systems.
• Thrives in a fast‑paced, highly regulated manufacturing environment.