Pay Range:
$132,400.00 - $217,600.00
Position Summary
The Senior Manager, Materials (San Jose) is responsible for leading and overseeing the Materials Planning, Purchasing, and Warehouse/Materials Operations teams to ensure the efficient flow of materials throughout the manufacturing process in a regulated life sciences environment. This role provides end-to-end leadership for material availability, procurement execution, inventory management, warehousing, and material movement to support production schedules, operational performance, and customer requirements. The Materials Manager drives cross-functional alignment, operational excellence, process standardization, and continuous improvement while ensuring compliance with applicable quality and regulatory standards.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Management
- Provide direct leadership and oversight of the Materials Planning, Purchasing, and Warehouse/Materials Operations teams.
- Establish clear roles, responsibilities, performance expectations, and accountability across all three functions.
- Coach, develop, and build team capabilities to support current operational needs and future business growth.
- Drive collaboration and alignment across planning, purchasing, warehousing, manufacturing, and quality.
- Ensure appropriate staffing, resource allocation, and operational coverage to meet business demands.
Materials Planning & Production Readiness
- Oversee materials planning activities to ensure timely availability of raw materials, components, and supplies required for manufacturing.
- Drive alignment between production schedules, demand forecasts, material requirements, and inventory levels.
- Proactively identify and mitigate material shortages, supply constraints, and manufacturing disruptions.
- Improve planning accuracy, MRP effectiveness, and material replenishment processes.
Purchasing & Supplier Coordination
- Oversee day-to-day purchasing activities to ensure timely procurement and delivery of materials.
- Ensure purchase order execution, supplier follow-up, and resolution of material delivery issues.
- Partner with Strategic Sourcing and Procurement leadership on supplier performance, cost optimization, and supply continuity.
- Drive purchasing process improvements, compliance, and operational efficiency.
- Support supplier-related escalations and material availability risk mitigation.
Warehouse & Materials Operations
- Lead warehouse and materials operations, including receiving, storage, inventory control, material handling, and production material replenishment.
- Ensure efficient material movement and flow between warehouse and manufacturing operations.
- Maintain inventory accuracy, material traceability, lot control, and appropriate storage conditions.
- Oversee cycle counting, physical inventories, and inventory reconciliation.
- Drive improvements in warehouse productivity, space utilization, safety, and operational performance.
Inventory Management & Operational Excellence
- Own inventory performance, including inventory accuracy, turns, excess and obsolete materials, and working capital optimization.
- Establish and monitor KPIs across planning, purchasing, and warehouse operations.
- Identify opportunities to improve processes, reduce waste, and enhance operational efficiency.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives and support standardization of materials management processes.
- Leverage ERP/MRP systems and data analytics to improve decision-making and execution.
Quality & Regulatory Compliance
- Ensure materials management activities comply with applicable GMP, ISO, and internal quality system requirements.
- Partner with Quality to manage nonconforming materials, material holds, deviations, and corrective actions.
- Maintain appropriate material traceability, documentation, and inventory controls.
- Support internal and external audits and regulatory inspections.
- Promote a culture of quality, safety, compliance, and accountability.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations, Business, Engineering, or related field.
- 8+ years of progressive experience in materials management, purchasing, inventory management, or manufacturing supply chain operations.
- 3+ years of leadership experience overseeing teams or multiple operational functions.
- Experience in life sciences, biotechnology, diagnostics, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, or another regulated manufacturing environment.
- Strong understanding of materials planning, purchasing, warehouse operations, and inventory control.
- Experience with ERP/MRP systems.
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams, drive operational improvements, and manage competing business priorities.
