Senior Manager, Materials

Takara Bio USA, Inc.; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Takara Bio USA, Inc. is seeking a Senior Manager, Materials to lead materials planning, purchasing and inventory control for on-site operations in San Jose, CA.

This role ensures just-in-time materials, manages supplier relationships, and drives cost efficiency across R&D, Manufacturing and Quality teams. The Senior Manager will develop and mentor the materials team, coordinate cycle counts, and partner with Finance to ensure accurate cost reporting and inventory metrics.

Qualifications

• MS/B.S. in Business or Operations Management.
• 7–10 years of experience in materials, supply chain, or operations management with 3–5 years in a supervisory role.
• ERP systems expertise, preferably Oracle.
• Advanced Excel and analytical skills; PowerPoint proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Establishes the operating strategy for materials planning, purchasing and inventory control.
• Oversee supplier and commodity strategies, and supplier performance.
• Owns cycle count and physical inventory, investigates variances and corrective actions.
• Coordinate product cost rolls with Finance, reviewing labor rates and overhead.
• Lead the materials team and drive continuous improvement and cross-functional alignment.

Skills

Analytical skills

Leadership

Communication

Process improvement

Education

MS/B.S. in Business or Operations Management

Tools

Oracle ERP

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

FLSA Class: Exempt

Learn more about our company and how we support you: Takara Bio USA (TBUSA) empowers life science discovery. We bring innovation and inspiration to every scientist - promoting discoveries that improve health and the environment. We hold values that all employees and prospective candidates should demonstrate: Innovation, Teamwork, Integrity, Respect, Growth, Diversity and Quality. We value helping employees develop their skills and you will be part of this journey!

Job Title: Senior Manager, Materials Reports to: VP, Operations FLSA Class: Exempt Learn more about our company and how we support you: Takara Bio, we know that every experimental decision has an impact. Choices matter, from design to data analysis. We create best-in-class products that get the job done. In your hands, what do those research reagents and kits create? Something powerful: knowledge, understanding, and—often—hope! Together we can improve the human condition through biotechnology… and That's Good Science!

How this role drives the company forward: The Senior Manager, Materials is responsible for overseeing materials planning, purchasing, costing, and analysis. Commodity and inventory management are critical to successful manufacturing processes. This role ensures the organization has the right materials, just-in-time, at competitive costs, to support efficient operations and high-quality product output. The Senior Manager, Materials maintains optimal inventory levels to meet production demands while minimizing excess stock and associated costs. Senior Manager, Materials sources materials and negotiates with suppliers. Works with suppliers on first article production, acting as a liaison between engineering and the supplier. The Senior Manager, Materials develops the materials team fostering a collaborative environment that encourages continuous improvement and innovation. This role works independently on complex tasks and activities, develops new processes, and must have strong analytical skills. The Senior Manager, Materials supervises staff in California and works closely with staff located in Wisconsin to manage finished good inventory levels. The Senior Manager, Materials is an on-site role located in San Jose, CA.

How you will make an impact: In this role, the Senior Manager, Materials will have a direct impact on manufacturing readiness, inventory performance, cost accuracy, and supplier reliability across Takara Bio USA. You will lead the materials planning, purchasing, and analysis teams, who support R&D, Manufacturing and Quality in the launch of new products by providing accurate MRP data, analyze and maintain material costs, and drive activities to ensure the right materials are available at the right time and in support of high-quality products. Working closely with TBUSA Logistics in California and Wisconsin, you will own cycle count and physical inventory responsibilities and inventory accuracy. Your team will manage suppliers, support product transfer activities, initiate or support engineering change requests, and maintain accurate MRP data and reporting. Success in this position requires strong analytical skills and sound judgment. Your effective people leadership, excellent communication skills, and ability to drive process improvements will support cross-functional alignment. You will foster a collaborative, continuous-improvement culture within the materials team, supporting efficiency and growth.

• Establishes the operating strategy, priorities and performance standards for materials planning, purchasing and inventory control. Develops, implements, and maintains procedures related to material control systems.
• Selects, develops, and evaluates personnel to ensure the efficient operation of the materials function.
• Acts as Oracle Super User for MRP and creating functional data reports.
• Maintains working knowledge of latest developments in master scheduling and demand management techniques; evaluates current processes to enhance supply chain performance.
• Is responsible for accurate product and material standard costs in the MRP. Reviews month end inventory reports by affiliate, reviewing standard and material costs.
• Establish inventory strategies, planning parameters, and risk mitigation priorities to balance product availability and excess inventory exposure.
• Owns cycle count and physical inventory execution, investigates variances and implements corrective actions. Works to continuously improve inventory turns. Responsible for financial EOY physical inventory audit for TBUSA facilities.
• Liaison for worldwide inventory planning. Maintains forecast information for accurate, timely release of work orders. Manages excess and obsolete inventory projections.
• Manages supplier, purchasing and inventory control processes. Establishes supplier and commodity strategies, manages supplier performance and holds supplier accountable for cost, quality and delivery objectives.
• Oversee the materials impact and implementation of product changes. Approves materials strategies, and resolves cross functional risks involving inventory, cost and supply.
• Works closely with Finance on quarterly financial reports: affiliate purchasing and inventory forecasts and JSOX compliance. Responsible for annual financial purchasing control audit.
• Coordinates product cost rolls with Finance, reviewing labor rates and overhead, assesses and validates the impact of new rates and overhead.
• Establishes materials performance targets, reviews trends, risks and holds the function accountable for corrective actions.
• Develops and helps control department scorecard budget and department expenses.
• This position has supervisory responsibilities.

• M.S./B.S. in Business or Operations Management
• Typically requires 7-10 years of experience working experience in materials, supply chain, or operations management, including 3-5 years of experience managing staff, setting goals, and performance expectations.
• Expert knowledge of sophisticated ERP systems, Oracle preferred.
• Exceptional Excel and analytical skills.
• PowerPoint or similar software experience required to create presentations.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. Presentation skills necessary.

• Experience working in the biotechnology field.

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to work in temperature-controlled environments when managing material inventories.
• Ability to lift, push, pull up to 25 lbs. unassisted is required when managing material inventories.
• Physical movements include bending at waist, walking, and kneeling. Climb rolling safety ladders when managing material inventories.

Takara Bio USA, Inc. does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors.

Please note this job description may not cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. The US base salary range for this full-time position, expected to be located in San Jose, CA, is $180,000 - $195,000 USD. This range may be modified at any time at our sole discretion. This base salary does not include additional bonus compensation and benefits. Learn more about benefits at https://www.takarabio.com/about/careers/company-benefits. Individual compensation packages are based on factors unique to each candidate, including job-related skills, training, experience, qualifications, work location, and market conditions.