Materials Manager

Rocket EMS•Carson City, NV

About The Position

The Materials Manager is responsible for leading all materials planning, inventory control, and supply chain execution in support of high-reliability electronics manufacturing within a fast-paced contract manufacturing (PCBA) environment. This role owns material availability, accuracy, and traceability across electronic components, subassemblies, and finished goods to ensure uninterrupted production and on-time delivery to customers. The Materials Manager drives proactive risk management across the supply chain, ensures compliance with industry standards (including Class 3 / aerospace requirements), and leads continuous improvement initiatives to optimize inventory performance and operational efficiency. This position serves as a critical cross-functional leader, aligning supply chain execution with production, engineering, quality, and customer expectations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)
5+ years of materials management experience in electronics or contract manufacturing (PCBA preferred)
Experience operating in high-mix, low-to-medium volume manufacturing environments
Strong knowledge of electronic components (active, passive, electromechanical) and supply chain dynamics
Proven experience managing shortages, allocations, and long lead-time materials
Deep understanding of inventory control, MRP planning, and demand management
Experience with ERP/MRP systems (SAP, Oracle, Manex, or similar)
Strong analytical capability with ability to interpret data and drive decisions
Knowledge of ESD controls, lot traceability, date codes, and shelf-life management
Demonstrated leadership and team development experience
Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and communication skills
Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, high-accountability environments

Responsibilities

Material Planning & Inventory Control
Own inventory strategy, planning parameters, and execution to balance service levels, working capital, and risk
Ensure material availability to support production schedules, customer demand, and revenue targets
Monitor and maintain inventory accuracy through cycle counting, root cause analysis, and corrective actions
Manage excess and obsolete (E&O) inventory, including prevention strategies and disposition plans
Drive improvements in inventory turns, shortages reduction, and material flow efficiency
Supply Chain & Supplier Management
Partner with procurement and sourcing teams to ensure timely and cost-effective material supply
Proactively manage long lead-time components, allocations, and supply constraints
Interface with OEMs, distributors, and suppliers to resolve shortages, quality issues, and delivery risks
Develop and execute alternate sourcing strategies and risk mitigation plans
Support supplier performance management and escalation activities
Production Support & Execution
Ensure material readiness for production including kitting, staging, and line-side delivery
Lead resolution of material shortages, substitutions, and allocation conflicts impacting builds
Support NPI, prototype builds, and engineering changes (ECOs), ensuring seamless material transitions
Drive material flow improvements across receiving, warehouse, and production interfaces
Warehouse, Logistics & Material Handling
Oversee receiving, storage, handling, and shipment of materials and finished goods
Ensure proper handling of ESD-sensitive, moisture-sensitive (MSD), and shelf-life-controlled materials
Maintain FIFO/FEFO practices and full lot/date code traceability
Optimize warehouse layout, material movement, and transaction accuracy
Compliance & Quality
Ensure compliance with customer, regulatory, and industry standards (ISO, AS9100, FDA as applicable)
Own material-related nonconformances, RMAs, and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA)
Support internal, customer, and regulatory audits
Ensure full traceability and documentation for all material movements and usage
Systems, Data & Reporting
Own material data integrity within ERP/MRP systems (BOMs, part masters, planning parameters, inventory)
Ensure accurate demand signals and alignment with forecasts and customer requirements
Track, analyze, and report key performance indicators (KPIs), including:
Inventory turns
Material shortages
On-time delivery (OTD)
Forecast accuracy
Provide clear, actionable reporting to leadership and customers
Customer & Program Support
Act as primary point of contact for material status, risks, and escalations
Align material plans with customer forecasts, contracts, and demand variability
Manage consigned and customer-owned inventory programs
Support program reviews and customer communications related to supply chain performance
Leadership & Continuous Improvement
Lead, develop, and hold accountable materials team members (planners, buyers, warehouse personnel)
Establish clear priorities, performance expectations, and accountability metrics
Drive Lean and continuous improvement initiatives (Kanban, VMI, PFEP, process standardization)
Promote strong cross-functional collaboration across supply chain, operations, engineering, and quality