Director, Materials [Santa Ana]

Iteris•Santa Ana, CA

2d•$150,000 - $170,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Materials will join the dynamic Iteris team and help to manage a diverse array of products, processes and people to provide optimal forecasting, planning and procurement of a wide range of commodities from sheet metal and machined parts to electronic circuit board assemblies to complex outsourced assemblies. They will work closely with Sales, Marketing and Engineering to coordinate a master production schedule and then working with a team of supply chain professionals, see this through to individual component planning, supplier management and procurement execution. Availability, inventory management and quality of supply will be a major focus as well as ensuring competitive pricing on all items. What you will be doing: This role will manage the master schedule, the material planning function and the purchasing group Develop & Manage Master Production Schedules: Create, maintain, and execute master production plans and schedules to meet sales forecasts and customer needs Demand & Inventory Planning: Review forecasts, monitor inventory (raw materials & finished goods), and set safety stock levels to optimize costs and fulfillment. Perform root-cause analysis and implement viable, permanent solutions to materials related issues. Work with both internal and external customers to develop solutions which meet company-wide needs and objectives Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with Sales, Operations, Customer Service, Engineering, and Procurement to align production with business goals Monitor & Analyze: Track production progress, identify bottlenecks, and analyze data to improve workflow, accuracy, and performance Process Improvement: Implement best practices and leverage tools (ERP/MRP) to enhance supply chain efficiency and planning accuracy Strategic Planning: Develop and implement policies for procurement, inventory, and distribution to meet organizational objectives Sourcing & Procurement: Oversee purchasing, negotiate vendor contracts, and secure best value, quality, and service. Investigate and solve problems resulting from material shortages however caused. Establish and maintain purchasing practices, contracts, assessments and policies to insure honest, fair, and ethical relationships with our vendors. Keep informed on legal matters that affect purchasing policies Inventory Management: Optimize stock levels, minimize waste, prevent stockouts, and manage inventory systems (MRP/ERP) Supply Chain Optimization: Improve efficiency, reduce lead times, and manage logistics from supplier to end-user. Keep abreast of materials, markets and materials pricing trends that affect Company products Vendor Management: Build strong relationships with suppliers, monitor performance, and resolve issues. Responsible for continuing programs of exploration for new materials, suppliers, and processes to achieve the best possible quality, reliability, prices, continuity, and delivery, while working with design and manufacturing teams to help reduce our warranty costs

Requirements

BS, MBA preferred
Progressive procurement experience with a track record of exceeding goals
Over six (6) years experience in materials management
Over ten (10) years experience managing teams of professionals
Experience in total logistics systems management
Strong interpersonal skills including teamwork
Strong negotiating skills with knowledge of tactical and strategic purchasing
Wide breadth of commodity knowledge
Requires little supervision, handles routine matters on own initiative
Excellent communication skills
Some domestic travel expected to visit suppliers
Strong work ethic and attitude that will inspire others
Strong analytical, organizational, and multitasking abilities
Proficiency in ERP/MRP systems, Oracle proficiency a plus
Advanced skills at MS Office Suite (especially Excel), including pivot tables, vlookups, sumif, etc.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills
Familiarity with production workflows and supply chain management

Nice To Haves

Foreign language skills may be a plus
Oracle proficiency a plus

Responsibilities

Manage the master schedule, the material planning function and the purchasing group
Develop & Manage Master Production Schedules: Create, maintain, and execute master production plans and schedules to meet sales forecasts and customer needs
Demand & Inventory Planning: Review forecasts, monitor inventory (raw materials & finished goods), and set safety stock levels to optimize costs and fulfillment. Perform root-cause analysis and implement viable, permanent solutions to materials related issues. Work with both internal and external customers to develop solutions which meet company-wide needs and objectives
Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with Sales, Operations, Customer Service, Engineering, and Procurement to align production with business goals
Monitor & Analyze: Track production progress, identify bottlenecks, and analyze data to improve workflow, accuracy, and performance
Process Improvement: Implement best practices and leverage tools (ERP/MRP) to enhance supply chain efficiency and planning accuracy
Strategic Planning: Develop and implement policies for procurement, inventory, and distribution to meet organizational objectives
Sourcing & Procurement: Oversee purchasing, negotiate vendor contracts, and secure best value, quality, and service. Investigate and solve problems resulting from material shortages however caused. Establish and maintain purchasing practices, contracts, assessments and policies to insure honest, fair, and ethical relationships with our vendors. Keep informed on legal matters that affect purchasing policies
Inventory Management: Optimize stock levels, minimize waste, prevent stockouts, and manage inventory systems (MRP/ERP)
Supply Chain Optimization: Improve efficiency, reduce lead times, and manage logistics from supplier to end-user. Keep abreast of materials, markets and materials pricing trends that affect Company products
Vendor Management: Build strong relationships with suppliers, monitor performance, and resolve issues. Responsible for continuing programs of exploration for new materials, suppliers, and processes to achieve the best possible quality, reliability, prices, continuity, and delivery, while working with design and manufacturing teams to help reduce our warranty costs