Materials Manager

First Electric Cooperative•Jacksonville, AR

5d•$46 - $69•Hybrid

About The Position

The Materials Manager directs and coordinates the Cooperative's materials management functions to ensure materials, equipment, tools, and supplies are available when needed to support safe, reliable, and cost-effective operations. This role maintains effective inventory control, purchasing coordination, warehouse operations, and material distribution practices while providing quality service to internal departments. The position involves planning, organizing, and managing material for the Cooperative, establishing and maintaining inventory control procedures, coordinating purchasing with operating departments, maintaining accurate records, and ensuring warehouse facilities are organized and secure. The role also involves developing procedures for receiving, inspecting, storing, issuing, and returning materials, reviewing material specifications, monitoring expenditures, forecasting material needs, and maintaining effective relationships with suppliers. Compliance with Cooperative policies, purchasing procedures, internal controls, and applicable laws and regulations is essential. The Materials Manager also performs other duties as assigned by management, including assisting with projects, participating in meetings and training, and providing assistance to other departments.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain management, materials management, logistics, or a related field preferred. Equivalent education and experience may be considered.
Five years of progressively responsible experience in materials management, inventory control, purchasing, warehouse operations, supply chain management, or a related field preferred.
Experience in an electric utility, cooperative, industrial, or similar operational environment is preferred.
Thorough knowledge of inventory control principles, purchasing practices, warehouse operations, material handling, vendor management, and cost control.
Knowledge of utility materials, equipment, tools, and supplies is preferred.
Knowledge of applicable safety practices, Cooperative policies, and procedures related to purchasing, inventory, and warehouse operations.
Working knowledge of inventory management, purchasing, and computer software systems.
Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and manage multiple responsibilities.
Ability to supervise, motivate, train, and evaluate employees.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, decision-making, and organizational skills.
Ability to analyze inventory data, costs, usage, and purchasing information.
Ability to negotiate and maintain effective working relationships with vendors and employees.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Ability to maintain accurate records and exercise sound judgment regarding inventory and purchasing decisions.
Ability to work effectively during emergency situations and changing operational conditions.
Proficiency with computers and inventory/purchasing software.

Nice To Haves

Equivalent education and experience may be considered.
Experience in an electric utility, cooperative, industrial, or similar operational environment is preferred.
Knowledge of utility materials, equipment, tools, and supplies is preferred.

Responsibilities

Plan, organize, and manage the material for the Cooperative.
Establish and maintain inventory control procedures, stock levels, reorder points, and material availability requirements.
Monitor inventory levels and usage and recommend appropriate stocking levels.
Identify obsolete, surplus, damaged, or slow-moving inventory and recommend appropriate disposition.
Coordinate purchasing and material requirements with operating departments to ensure materials are available in accordance with work plans and schedules.
Work with vendors and suppliers regarding pricing, availability, delivery schedules, and product specifications.
Maintain accurate records of inventory, receipts, issues, transfers, purchases, and related materials transactions.
Ensure warehouse facilities are organized, secure, clean, and operated in accordance with Cooperative procedures and applicable safety requirements through vendor management.
Develop and maintain effective procedures with vendor management for receiving, inspecting, storing, issuing, and returning materials.
Review material specifications and standardization opportunities and recommend cost-effective alternatives when appropriate.
Monitor expenditures and assist with the preparation and administration of the Materials/Warehouse budget.
Work with other departments to forecast material needs and resolve shortages, substitutions, damaged materials, and delivery problems.
Maintain effective relationships with suppliers and evaluate supplier performance, service, quality, and reliability.
Ensure compliance with Cooperative policies, purchasing procedures, internal controls, and applicable laws and regulations.
Perform other duties as assigned by management.
Maintain accurate inventory records and investigate and resolve inventory discrepancies.
Analyze inventory usage, costs, lead times, and availability to support informed purchasing and stocking decisions.
Communicate effectively with management, employees, vendors, and other departments regarding material requirements and availability.
Operate or oversee the operation of inventory management and purchasing.
Respond to material needs during emergencies, major outages, storms, or other special circumstances as required by the Cooperative.
Ensure the Cooperative has the materials needed to construct new work orders and to perform maintenance.
Assist with Cooperative projects involving material standardization, cost containment, vendor evaluation, and operational efficiency.
Participate in meetings, committees, training, and professional development activities as assigned.
Assist other Cooperative departments with material-related questions, research, and special projects.
Perform other related duties as assigned.