Director of Materials

FW ACQUISITION INC•Torrance, CA

4d•$165,000 - $200,000

About The Position

The Director of Materials is responsible for leading all material management functions across the organization to ensure efficient flow of materials from supplier to production and ultimately to customer delivery. This role oversees logistics, receiving, warehouse operations, shipping, materials program management (MPMs), and production planning to support the scaling of aerospace manufacturing operations. The Director of Materials develops and implements strategies to optimize inventory levels, improve supply chain responsiveness, and ensure materials availability to meet production schedules while minimizing cost and risk. This leader will work cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Program Management to ensure operational readiness and successful product delivery in a fast-paced defense aerospace environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Engineering, Business, or a related technical field.
10+ years of experience in materials management, supply chain, or operations within aerospace, defense, or regulated manufacturing environments.
5+ years of leadership experience managing materials planning, logistics, warehouse, or inventory management teams.
Demonstrated experience managing production planning and materials availability to support complex manufacturing schedules.
Experience overseeing warehouse operations, shipping/receiving, and inventory control in a manufacturing environment.
Proven track record implementing Lean Manufacturing, inventory optimization strategies, or operational excellence initiatives within supply chain or materials functions.
Strong leadership and team development skills with the ability to manage cross-functional materials organizations.
Deep understanding of production planning, inventory management, logistics operations, and material flow in manufacturing environments.
Advanced analytical and data-driven decision-making capabilities related to inventory health, supply risk, and materials planning.
Excellent executive communication and reporting capability.
Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, high-growth manufacturing environments.
Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems, inventory management systems, and materials performance dashboards.

Nice To Haves

APICS CPIM (Certified in Production and Inventory Management)
APICS CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional)
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt
Experience supporting unmanned aerial systems (UAS) or defense platforms.
Familiarity with production scaling from low-rate initial production (LRIP) to full-rate production.
Experience working within DoD contracts or government-funded programs.
Experience implementing visual management and structured tiered accountability systems.

Responsibilities

Materials Strategy & Leadership Develop and execute the company’s materials management strategy to support production scalability and program delivery requirements.
Lead and mentor teams responsible for planning, warehouse operations, logistics, shipping/receiving, and materials program management.
Establish standardized processes, metrics, and visual management systems to drive operational excellence across all materials functions.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on inventory accuracy, material flow efficiency, and cost reduction.
Production Planning & Materials Availability Oversee production planning and materials planning activities to ensure alignment with manufacturing schedules and program milestones.
Ensure timely availability of materials, components, and subassemblies to prevent production delays.
Develop robust demand planning and capacity planning processes to support scaling production.
Collaborate closely with manufacturing leadership to balance inventory levels with production throughput requirements.
Materials Program Management (MPMs) Lead the Materials Program Management team to ensure material readiness aligns with program schedules and delivery commitments.
Monitor material risk across programs and drive mitigation strategies for shortages, long lead-time items, and supply disruptions.
Partner with Program Management and Supply Chain to manage material forecasts, program cost targets, and delivery milestones.
Logistics, Warehouse & Inventory Management Oversee warehouse operations including inventory control, cycle counting, material handling, and storage optimization.
Ensure best-in-class logistics processes for inbound and outbound material movement.
Establish inventory control policies to maintain high inventory accuracy and reduce excess or obsolete inventory.
Implement warehouse systems and layout improvements to support efficient material flow.
Receiving & Shipping Operations Ensure efficient and compliant receiving processes for all inbound materials and supplier deliveries.
Oversee shipping operations to ensure on-time product delivery to customers and internal programs.
Maintain compliance with aerospace and defense shipping requirements including documentation, traceability, and export controls.
Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner with Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering, and Manufacturing teams to ensure smooth material flow and issue resolution.
Support New Product Introduction (NPI) activities to ensure materials readiness for new programs and product lines.
Provide executive leadership with visibility into materials readiness, inventory health, and supply chain risk.
Metrics & Performance Management Establish and monitor key materials management KPIs such as inventory turns, material shortages, on-time delivery, and warehouse efficiency.
Drive accountability through performance metrics and data-driven decision making.
Utilize ERP/MRP systems to improve planning accuracy and materials visibility.