Materials Supervisor

Overview

Summary - basic function of the role

The Materials Supervisor leads shipping and receiving, inventory management, production planning, procurement, and customer service. The role is accountable for maintaining the flow of materials and information needed to meet customer demand, support efficient operations, and optimize inventory.

The successful candidate will possess strong leadership capabilities, deep experience with ERP/MRP systems, and a proven track record of driving process improvements. This individual will lead supplier negotiations, manage supplier performance through scorecards and development programs, and support the implementation of system enhancements across the materials organization.

The role directly impacts revenue realization, operational efficiency, on-time delivery performance, customer satisfaction, and inventory optimization through proactive coordination, planning leadership, and cross-functional execution management.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; evenings and weekends may be required

Location: Monday - Friday onsite (up to 40% flexible; manager discretion)

850 Lime Hollow Rd.

Cortland, NY13045

Salary Range: $78,780-118,170

This role is not eligible for sponsorship now or in the future.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Materials Management & Inventory Control

• Oversee all inventory management activities to ensure material availability while maintaining optimal inventory levels.
• Develop and monitor inventory control processes to improve accuracy, reduce excess inventory, and minimize stockouts.
• Analyze inventory trends, cycle count results, and key performance metrics to drive continuous improvement.
• Partner with operations to ensure inventory transactions are accurate and completed in accordance with established procedures.
• Participate in daily operational management meetings and support team in communication of delivery risks, operational priorities, and customer-related concerns.

Procurement & Supplier Management

• Lead procurement activities including supplier selection, purchasing, contract administration, and supplier performance management.
• Negotiate favorable supplier agreements related to cost, quality, delivery, and service.
• Maintain supplier scorecards to monitor supplier performance against key metrics.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive supplier corrective actions, continuous improvement initiatives, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks through strategic sourcing and supplier development.

Operations Coordination & Fulfillment

• Lead production planning, scheduling, shipping, receiving, warehousing, and order fulfillment activities to support customer requirements and manufacturing objectives.
• Coordinate cross-functionally with Operations, Quality, and Customer Service to align demand, capacity, and inventory availability.
• Ensure timely and accurate movement of materials and finished goods while meeting customer quality and delivery expectations.
• Monitor on-time delivery, freight performance, packaging costs, and material flow to identify opportunities for operational improvement.
• Resolve fulfillment challenges and customer delivery concerns to maintain a high level of customer satisfaction.
• Ensure compliance with company procedures, customer requirements, and applicable regulatory standards.

ERP/MRP Systems & Process Improvement

• Serve as the subject matter expert for ERP/MRP systems and related planning, purchasing, inventory management, and reporting processes.
• Develop and utilize reports and tools and analytics to improve data accuracy, visibility, and operational performance.
• Lead system enhancements, process improvements, and implementation activities.
• Train and mentor team members on system utilization and best practices.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, coach, and develop personnel across shipping, receiving, planning, inventory, and procurement functions.
• Establish performance expectations and accountability through regular performance management activities.
• Foster a culture of safety, problem solving, continuous improvement, teamwork, and customer focus.
• Monitor departmental KPIs and implement action plans to achieve operational objectives.

Quality, Compliance & Continuous Improvement

• Develop and maintain procedures, work instructions, and documentation supporting the company's QMS and ISO13485 requirements
• Support Corrective Action and Preventative Action (CAPA) activities, audit preparation, and compliance initiatives.
• Ensure adherence to good documentation practices are site safety requirements.
• Provide functional backup support across the materials organization as needed.
• Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, efficiency, and operational excellence.
• Travel up to 20% may be required and may include both domestic and international business travel.

Skills and Competencies

• Demonstrated experience managing shipping and receiving, inventory control, production planning, and/or procurement functions.
• Strong understanding of inventory management principles, forecasting, production planning, and procurement processes.
• Proven success leading supplier negotiations and supplier performance improvement initiatives.
• Significant experience utilizing and improving ERP/MRP systems within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting ERP implementations, upgrades, or major system improvement projects strongly preferred.
• Proficient with ERP systems and Microsoft packages (Power Bi preferred)
• Experience with customer portals or sales management software preferred
• Experience in medical device manufacturing or similarly regulated industry preferred

Leadership Expectations:

• Customer Focus
• Operational Ownership
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• ERP & Systems Leadership
• Business Acumen
• Problem Solving & Escalation Management
• Continuous Improvement
• Decision Making
• Effective Communication
• Planning & Execution Discipline
• Adaptability & Prioritization

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in materials management, supply chain, procurement, or manufacturing operations.
• 3+ years of supervisory or leadership experience in a manufacturing environment.

Physical Demands

Employee may have to lift documents/work materials up to 30 pounds in weight. Employee will have to be able to walk/climb to a variety of primary work locations, including traveling by air/auto to remote sites on occasion. This can include occasional ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, and the like. Employee will need to listen, understand, and speak with team members and customers in person, telephonically, and electronically at all levels within a diverse workforce and with supported organizations. Employee can work in front of a personal computer and telephone for long periods of time. Will have repetitive motions that include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.

Work Environment

Primary work environment is temperature-controlled office setting or a typical warehouse environment but may include visiting different customers where following appropriate safety protocols at the location would be required. While in the warehouse or visiting customers, employee may be exposed to high/low temperatures, outdoor elements (such as precipitation and wind), high levels of noise, hazardous conditions, poor ventilation, small and/or enclosed spaces, or adverse environmental conditions.

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Direct Reports

Buyer

Shipping and Receiving Coordinator

Customer Service

Production Planning

Key Contacts/Clients

Customers

Suppliers

Finance

Engineers: Sales, Quality, Development, Process, Manufacturing

Operations: procurement, manager, shipping/receiving, team leaders, coordinators, technicians