Materials Manager

Roles and responsibilities

Inventory Analysis & Optimization:

• Analyze current inventory management systems and procedures to identify inefficiencies.
• Develop strategies to optimize stock levels, ensuring a balance between meeting demand and minimizing excess inventory.
• Implement inventory forecasting methods to improve replenishment accuracy and reduce stockouts and overstocking.
  

Material Flow & Storage

• Design efficient material flow processes, ensuring the timely movement of goods from suppliers to production or distribution centers.
• Advise on proper storage methods, warehouse layout, and material handling procedures to minimize waste, damage, and retrieval times.
• Collaborate with warehouse managers to optimize space utilization and improve material tracking.
  

Demand Forecasting & Planning

• Work with sales and operations teams to forecast material demand based on historical data, market trends, and production schedules.
• Implement advanced forecasting tools and software to enhance accuracy in material planning.
• Provide recommendations for adjusting order quantities, safety stock, and reorder points based on demand variability.
  

Inventory Control Systems

• Recommend and implement inventory management software (e.g., ERP or warehouse management systems) to improve visibility and control over stock levels.
• Ensure accurate and real-time inventory data by designing effective inventory tracking and reporting systems.
• Provide training to employees on inventory management tools and best practices.
  

Supplier And Vendor Management

• Collaborate with procurement teams to ensure timely delivery of materials, aligning supplier performance with inventory needs.
• Evaluate supplier lead times, order accuracy, and reliability to ensure uninterrupted material flow.
• Establish metrics for supplier performance and work on improving relationships with key suppliers.
  

Cost Reduction & Efficiency

• Identify opportunities to reduce material holding costs, including storage, handling, and transportation expenses.
• Implement strategies to improve turnover ratios, reducing capital tied up in excess inventory.
• Recommend initiatives such as vendor-managed inventory (VMI), consignment stock, and just-in-time (JIT) inventory to enhance efficiency.
  

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure inventory management practices comply with industry standards, safety regulations, and quality requirements.
• Develop contingency plans for potential material shortages, supply chain disruptions, or demand spikes.
• Implement risk management strategies to address challenges such as obsolescence, perishability, or seasonality.
  

Performance Monitoring & Reporting

• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) for inventory management, such as inventory turnover, order fulfillment rates, and stock accuracy.
• Provide regular reporting and insights to senior management on inventory performance, stock levels, and areas for improvement.
• Recommend corrective actions to address inventory issues such as excess stock, stockouts, or slow-moving inventory.

Desired candidate profile

• Bachelor’s degree in management, supply chain, engineering, operations management, business or relevant field. Advanced degree preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in inventory management, material management, or supply chain consulting.
• Proven experience with inventory control systems and methodologies such as just-in-time (JIT), lean inventory management, and demand forecasting.
• Knowledge and experience in the Oil and Gas industry would be an asset.
• Ability to develop, sustain and proactively manage value-added customer relationships.
• Capability to thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Problem-solving mindset with a proactive approach to process improvement.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt quickly to changing clients and multi-task multiple assignments on one engagement
• Demonstrated negotiation, change- management and influence skills
• Proven initiative, drive and focus on details
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word and PowerPoint
• Outstanding written and oral communication, facilitation, and presentation skills.
• Proven ability to communicate positively, directly and with impact to all levels.
• Detailed oriented problem solver with a proven ability to recognize a problem and implement corrective action when needed.
• Willingness to travel within the US and Canada, extensively and up to 100%.