Materials Manager

Magna International; Michigan; On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Magna International is seeking a senior Materials leader within the North American Product Business Unit Materials. The role directs strategic operations, inventory management, and supplier coordination to enable world‑class quality, on-time delivery, and cost competitiveness.

The position requires extensive experience in materials management, strong leadership, budget oversight, and cross‑functional collaboration to drive VA/VE initiatives and supply chain excellence across multiple departments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business or related field and at least four years of materials experience.
• Eight years of diverse professional and managerial experience with budget responsibility.
• Proven ability to develop a cohesive, world-class materials team and lead others through training.

Responsibilities

• Develops operational strategic direction for North American Product Business Unit Materials, leading world‑class practices.
• Leads inventory, on‑time shipment, warehousing, materials procurement, and transportation planning.
• Creates long‑term goals and short‑term plans; prepares yearly business plans and budgets for purchasing.
• Maintains a quality supplier base; collaborates with suppliers and Product Business Unit on operations and project requirements.
• Manages Materials to support VA/VE, supplier improvement, and post‑launch activities; directs staff and skills development.
• Directs use of quality standards and supports Magna Donnelly Quality System and Program Management Process.
• Negotiates contracts with world‑class suppliers and oversees purchasing relationships across functions.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Negotiation

Budget management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or related field

Eight years of materials management experience

Master's degree in materials management or equivalent

Job description

Job Summary

Develops and provides operational strategic direction for North American Product Business Unit Materials team responsible for leading and facilitation efforts in Purchasing, Supplier Quality and Logistics in support of world‑class practices. Develops long‑term corporate goals and translates them into short‑term plans to support business objectives. Prepares and maintains yearly business plans and budgets. Manages a quality supplier base and coordinates operations and project requirements with suppliers and the Product Business Unit. Leads and manages staff within the Materials function to ensure world‑class quality, on‑time delivery, and competitive cost. Develops production schedules based on sales forecasts, material availability and capacity planning to meet goals. Researches, recommends, and implements new policies and strategic changes to improve quality, cost, and delivery while meeting project and program objectives. Establishes planning and control measures in Total Quality Management (TQM) format. Provides support in purchasing, supplier quality and logistics as needed.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Develops and provides operational level strategic direction for North American Product Business Unit Materials activity, leads and facilitates efforts to support world‑class practices, and manages department‑wide programs and global interfaces to create new business growth opportunities.
• Leads, manages, and monitors inventory levels, on‑time shipment of finished goods, warehousing/shipping of goods, procurement and storage of raw materials, and transportation/distribution methods. Coordinates production and planning activities of staff to meet departmental needs on time.
• Creates long‑term corporate goals, translates them into short‑term plans, and prepares yearly business plans and budgets for the purchasing team in alignment with corporate goals.
• Maintains a quality supplier base; collaborates with suppliers and the Product Business Unit on operations and project requirements, assists suppliers with problem resolution, and provides customer liaison support.
• Manages the Materials function to support operations and programs in Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VA/VE), supplier improvement and post‑launch support. Leads and manages staff, plans, organizes, directs, implements, and maintains group strategies and objectives, and supports skill development.
• Directs use of quality standards within the Corporate Materials function and represents the function in the implementation and maintenance of Magna Donnelly Quality System and Program Management Process.
• Manages the purchasing function to ensure world‑class quality and on‑time delivery at a competitive cost. Researches, recommends, and implements new policies, products, and strategies to achieve project and program long‑term objectives. Coordinates with multiple departments to lead purchasing staff.
• Establishes planning and control measures in TQM format to improve quality, cost, and delivery, monitors and controls cost, promotes cost savings, and leads VA/VE efforts across functions.
• Negotiates or oversees favorable contracts with world‑class suppliers, guiding relationships between Materials and other key functional areas.

Job Specification Section

Education, Experience, and Skills

Level I

• Bachelor’s degree in business or a related field (or equivalent) and at least four years of materials experience, with knowledge of world‑class materials management practices. Automotive industry experience preferred.
• Eight years of diverse professional and managerial experience, including financial/budget responsibility, leadership, and strategic decision‑making. Demonstrated project‑management skill and financial capability to maintain quality, cost, and timing of programs.
• Proven ability to develop a cohesive, world‑class materials team and to lead and develop others through support and training. Ability to manage staff toward departmental goals.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills to work with internal and external contacts at various organizational levels, represent the company professionally, and build productive relationships with key functional areas.

Level II – Additional Requirements

• Master’s degree that includes eight years of experience in materials management (or equivalent).
• Extensive knowledge and expertise in materials management, manufacturing, product/process design, operations, quality, and planning. Must fully understand and communicate the interrelationship of Materials with other departments.

EEO Statement

At Magna, we believe that a diverse workforce is critical to our success. We are an equal‑opportunity employer. We hire on the basis of experience and qualifications, and in consideration of job requirements, regardless of color, ancestry, religion, gender, origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, or gender identity.