Strategic Materials Manager (SAP) | Planning & Inventory

Sherpa | Recruiting, Staffing & Consulting; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 113,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

Sherpa is seeking a Materials Manager to lead materials management and production planning for a major industrial manufacturer. You will oversee planning, purchasing, inventory, and material flow while guiding a team responsible for keeping operations efficient.

You will influence multimillion-dollar budgets, supplier relationships, and global coordination of materials across facilities. Strong SAP/MRP expertise and a track record in manufacturing are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Operations, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in materials control, materials management, or a related manufacturing supply chain function in a management or supervisory capacity required.
• SAP experience required, with a strong understanding of MRP and materials planning processes.
• Demonstrated experience in production planning, inventory control, purchasing, and materials management within a manufacturing environment.
• Proven ability to lead teams, resolve material shortages, and coordinate across departments and manufacturing facilities.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to build effective supplier relationships and make sound decisions in a fast‑paced production environment.

Responsibilities

• Monitor adherence to planned production schedules and resolve material or scheduling issues.
• Analyze final assembly schedules to ensure parts availability and proactively identify potential material shortages.
• Adjust production schedules and coordinate corrective actions when supply constraints or parts shortages arise.
• Coordinate, evaluate, and implement engineering changes, including establishing appropriate effective dates to support uninterrupted production.
• Plan and requisition materials to support master production schedules, customer service requirements, and operational targets.
• Manage purchasing and inter‑factory orders, expediting materials based on weekly MRP requirements.
• Evaluate and optimize SAP MRP parameters, including order policies, minimum and maximum levels, safety stock, scrap factors, and order quantities.
• Balance material availability and customer service with inventory investment and working capital objectives.
• Coordinate shipping and material movement activities to ensure manufacturing facilities receive the materials needed to meet production commitments.
• Partner with other global manufacturing facilities to coordinate parts transfers and execute stock transfer orders (STOs) that support production targets.
• Develop, implement, and monitor materials‑related requirements for new product introductions.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to ensure materials planning, purchasing, and inventory processes are aligned with launch requirements.
• Develop and maintain materials ordering policies designed to maximize customer service while minimizing unnecessary inventory investment.
• Identify opportunities to improve materials planning, purchasing, inventory control, and production support processes.
• Maintain strong professional relationships with suppliers and collaborate on material availability, delivery performance, and supply chain requirements.
• Directly supervise Buyers, the Warehouse Supervisor, Data Analyst, and Master Scheduler.
• Provide indirect leadership to warehouse, shipping, and receiving personnel.
• Recruit, train, coach, and develop a capable, accountable materials management team.
• Establish goals and objectives, monitor performance, and foster a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned or required.

Skills

SAP experience

Production planning

Inventory control

Purchasing

Materials management

Leadership

Analytical skills

Communication

Problem solving

Supplier relationships

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Operations, or a related field preferred.

Job description

Sherpa is seeking a Materials Manager to lead materials management and production planning for a major industrial manufacturer. You will oversee planning, purchasing, inventory, and material flow while guiding a team responsible for keeping operations efficient.

You will influence multimillion-dollar budgets, supplier relationships, and global coordination of materials across facilities. Strong SAP/MRP expertise and a track record in manufacturing are required.