Director of Materials

Director, Materials Position Description

SUMMARY

Reporting to the President, provide overall leadership, direction and management to the demand planning, finished goods material purchasing, logistics and warehouse functions within the company. Develop and maintain relationships with domestic and international transportation vendors. Ensure the product quality of product purchased from vendors for resale. Provide leadership and management to a direct and indirect staff of approximately 18 employees in three locations.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Provide overall direction to the demand planning function by regularly reviewing information from the sales forecast and available manufacturing capacity to determine materials purchasing requirements to meet forecasts. Ensures appropriate lead time is considered when sourcing materials from overseas locations; ensure customs regulations including anti-dumping regulations are followed when receiving materials from overseas. Prepares SKU forecasts and provides information to Manufacturing used in their production scheduling and planning activities. Establish inventory levels of various finished product as well as raw materials and ensure purchase orders are placed with vendors to maintain such inventory levels.
2. Provide overall direction to the warehouse function to include receiving, storage and shipping of materials and finished products throughout the three current warehouse locations as well as to customers. Oversee all inbound and outbound shipping including domestic, international and ocean freight of materials valued at approximately $6M.
3. Conduct analysis to determine most effective locations of company warehouses based on customer locations; negotiate leasing arrangements and purchase capital equipment needed to run warehouses. Develop and implement work processes and standards to ensure the most cost effective operations are established.
4. Provide oversight to the international finished goods sourcing function ensuring cost effective materials are purchased, stored and shipped in a timely manner to meet customer requirements. Ensure quality standards are achieved by various finished goods vendors. Travel to China approximately 3 times per year to meet with vendors developing and maintaining strong working relationships.
5. Provide leadership to direct staff and indirect staff of approximately 18 employees by providing clear job and performance expectations and quality standards.
6. Work closely with Manufacturing and Sales and Marketing associates to gain full knowledge of all objectives; provide above described support functions to ensure the company has the necessary materials and logistical support to achieve the business objectives.
7. Manage all costs and budgets associated with the materials operation. Develop initiatives designed to drive cost out while maintaining product quality and logistics efficiency.

BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE

College degree in business, logistics, materials management or related field is helpful. Should have 7-10 years of materials management or logistics experience in a manufacturing related field where global material procurement is a critical business function. Must have strong communication skills, strong organizational abilities, be a self-starter and of high character.

PERFORMANCE METRICS

•          Measures of purchased finished product available to meet predetermined days on hand inventory levels or customer demand

•          Measures of time to fill customer orders

•          Measures of vendor purchased finished goods product quality

•          Measures of shipments arrived to customers on time and in good condition

•          Measures of employee turnover

•          Measures of warehouse, transportation and logistics costs compared to budget

•          Measures of customs compliance and dollar amount of fines or penalties

•          Measures of expedited shipment costs due to ineffective planning