Materials Manager

Creative Liquid Coatings; Newberry (SC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Creative Liquid Coatings, Inc. is seeking a Materials Manager to lead all plant materials functions, including customer service, scheduling, procurement coordination, inventory control, warehousing, receiving, and shipping.

This role collaborates cross-functionally to optimize material flow, ensure on-time delivery, and support launches and continuous improvement initiatives. The ideal candidate has 5+ years of leadership experience, strong MRP/ERP knowledge (IQMS or similar), and advanced

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of leadership or management experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all plant materials functions including customer service, scheduling, purchasing coordination, inventory control, warehousing, receiving, and shipping.
• Supervise and develop materials personnel, including schedulers, customer service representatives, cycle counters, material handlers, and receiving staff.
• Establish departmental goals and KPIs related to delivery, inventory, cost, and service.
• Conduct performance reviews and ensure compliance with company policies.
• Develop and manage integrated planning for make-versus-buy, capacity planning, scheduling, inventory, and cost optimization.
• Ensure customer demand is accurately represented in ERP systems and related transactions.
• Maintain 100% on-time delivery and proactively communicate risks.
• Develop macro capacity plans and ramp-up strategies for new programs.
• Coordinate production and supplier schedules to support program milestones and SOP readiness.
• Direct MRP-related activities to control raw materials, WIP, and finished goods inventory.
• Lead cycle counts and physical inventories; investigate variances and report to Finance.
• Develop and manage supplier relationships to meet cost, quality, and delivery expectations.
• Publish materials performance metrics and reports for continuous improvement.
• Support month-end closing activities related to inventory and materials valuation.

Skills

Leadership

MRP/ERP IQMS

Microsoft Excel

Analytical thinking

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Lean manufacturing

Cost analysis

Make-versus-buy

Supply chain best practices

Education

APICS CPIM certification

Tools

IQMS ERP

Job description

The Materials Manager is responsible for leading and managing all materials and supply chain activities at Creative Liquid Coatings, Inc., including customer service, demand planning, production scheduling, procurement coordination, inventory control, warehousing, receiving, and shipping. This role ensures accurate system transactions, optimized material flow, strong supplier performance, and on‑time delivery to meet customer, operational, and financial objectives. The Materials Manager partners cross‑functionally to support plant operations, new product launches, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Roles and Responsibilities

Materials & Supply Chain Leadership

• Lead and manage all plant materials functions, including customer service, scheduling, purchasing coordination, inventory control, warehousing, receiving, and shipping.
• Supervise and develop materials personnel, including schedulers, customer service representatives, cycle counters, material handlers, and receiving staff.
• Establish departmental goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) related to delivery, inventory, cost, and service.
• Conduct performance reviews, manage corrective actions, and ensure compliance with company policies.
• Develop and manage integrated planning processes supporting make‑versus‑buy decisions, capacity planning, scheduling, inventory, and cost optimization.
• Ensure customer demand is accurately represented in ERP systems, including EDI transactions, customer portals, cumulative requirements, and manual orders.
• Maintain 100% compliance with customer on‑time delivery requirements and proactively communicate risks.

Launch & Program Support

• Develop macro capacity plans, pack‑out demand targets, and ramp‑up strategies for new programs.
• Manage launch materials activities including launch banks, prototypes, tooling tryouts, and customer approvals.
• Coordinate production and supplier schedules to support program milestones and SOP readiness.

Inventory, Warehouse & ERP Governance

• Direct MRP‑related activities to control raw materials, WIP, and finished goods inventory.
• Set and maintain inventory parameters including min/max levels, reorder points, lead times, and master data.
• Lead cycle counts and physical inventories; investigate variances and coordinate reporting with Finance.
• Maintain accurate inventory records including customer returns, supplier returns, and shipping discrepancies.
• Ensure materials are received, recorded, labeled, and stored accurately in the ERP system.
• Develop and improve warehouse layout and material flow to maximize efficiency and space utilization.
• Develop and manage supplier relationships to meet cost, quality, and delivery expectations.
• Establish and monitor supplier performance using scorecards and corrective action processes.
• Manage freight activities and support cost‑reduction initiatives.
• Participate in corrective action meetings with suppliers and internal teams.
• Prepare and manage the materials budget; monitor spending, analyze variances, and initiate corrective actions.
• Publish materials performance metrics, A3s, and reports to support continuous improvement.
• Support month‑end closing activities related to inventory and materials valuation.
• Participate as a member of the operations leadership team in cross‑functional decision‑making.
• Ensure a safe and compliant work environment in alignment with EHS requirements.
• Travel as required to support customers, suppliers, and business needs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skill and Education Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of leadership or management experience.
• Strong knowledge of MRP/ERP systems (IQMS or similar).
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office and reporting tools.
• APICS CPIM certification preferred.
• Strong understanding of inventory control, demand planning, production scheduling, and supply chain best practices.
• Experience with Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and cost‑reduction initiatives.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, influence cross‑functional partners, and perform in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong financial acumen including cost analysis, budgeting, and make‑versus‑buy analysis.
• Ability to build effective relationships with customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders.
• Work is performed in both office and manufacturing environments.
• Occasional exposure to fumes, airborne particles, chemicals, and extreme temperatures.
• Noise levels are typically low to moderate.
• Standard work schedule consists of 8–10 hours per day, five days per week.
• Occasional domestic or international travel may be required, sometimes on short notice.
• Must comply with all company safety policies and procedures.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Authority

• Authority to assign, prioritize, and manage materials and supply chain activities.
• Authority to supervise, evaluate, and develop materials department employees.
• Authority to establish inventory controls, planning parameters, and scheduling strategies.
• Authority to recommend supplier selection, sourcing strategies, and corrective actions.
• Authority to manage materials budgets within approved limits.
• Authority to enforce company policies, procedures, and compliance requirements related to materials management.
• Authority to elevate supply risks and delivery concerns to leadership.