Supply Chain Manager

DIELECTRIC MANUFACTURING INC•Richfield, WI

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Dielectric Manufacturing is seeking an experienced Supply Chain Manager to oversee procurement, supplier relationships, inventory management, and supply chain strategy in its ISO 9001:2015-certified plastics and metals contract manufacturing organization. The role supports efficient material and service flow, quality standards, and operational objectives. Initial priorities include improving Epicor Kinetic data and planning parameters, leading Inventory Planning and Optimization (IP&O) implementation, strengthening purchasing practices, and reducing material costs and shortages. The manager partners with Operations, Planning, Quality, Sales, and Finance to align material availability, supplier capabilities, and inventory investment with business needs. This position leads both the daily execution and ongoing improvement of supply chain processes. It develops sourcing and inventory strategies, improves supplier performance, maintains purchasing controls and records, and tracks department metrics and savings. The Supply Chain Manager also leads, coaches, and cross-trains the supply chain team. The role is primarily office-based in a temperature-controlled environment; PPE is required when on the manufacturing floor. Travel to suppliers and company locations may be needed.

Requirements

Five or more years of progressive purchasing, material planning, or supply chain experience in manufacturing, including demonstrated team leadership.
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
Strong working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems, inventory planning, and purchasing master data.
Demonstrated success improving supplier performance, negotiating commercial terms, and reducing total material costs.
Experience establishing safety stock, replenishment policies, and inventory controls.
Strong analytical skills, including Excel, metric development, and translating data into purchasing and planning decisions.
Demonstrated ability to lead process improvements, develop employees, and hold teams accountable for results.
Working knowledge of ISO 9001 purchasing controls and supplier management practices.
Strong communication, organization, and cross-functional problem-solving skills.
Willingness to travel to suppliers and company locations as needed.
Excellent written and oral communication and negotiation skills.
Hands-on, visible management style; analytical problem-solving ability; ability to motivate people and manage change and culture expectations; strong organizational, attention-to-detail, and follow-through skills.
Experience with OSHA and EPA regulations.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a high-mix, make-to-order manufacturing environment.
Epicor Kinetic experience.
IP&O or similar inventory optimization experience.
Certification in supply chain management, such as APICS or CPSM.
Experience in a job shop manufacturing environment with high-mix, low-volume, complex engineered products.
Experience in both large and mid-sized manufacturing companies.
Success implementing a lean manufacturing and continuous improvement culture.
Experience in operational strategic planning.

Responsibilities

Lead supply chain strategy and daily execution, balancing material availability, total cost, inventory investment, and supply risk.
Maintain accurate supplier lead times, pricing, purchasing units of measure, and material planning parameters in Epicor Kinetic.
Lead phased implementation of IP&O, including data readiness, pilot validation, team training, and ongoing use.
Develop inventory policies, safety stock levels, and replenishment strategies suited to demand patterns, supplier lead times, and market conditions.
Partner with Planning and Operations to validate MRP recommendations and align purchasing with production requirements, capacity, and customer commitments.
Establish consistent processes for competitive quoting, purchase approvals, order quantities, supplier acknowledgments, and delivery follow-up.
Negotiate supplier pricing, lead times, and commercial terms; evaluate blanket orders, volume consolidation, and vendor-managed inventory where appropriate.
Develop sourcing strategies for critical and high-spend materials, qualify alternative sources with Quality and Engineering, and maintain supply continuity plans.
Build strategic supplier relationships through structured reviews, supplier visits, and on-site meetings, with clear agendas, action items, and follow-up.
Set supplier performance expectations and address delivery, responsiveness, and capacity issues; partner with Quality on supplier qualification and corrective actions.
Lead material-cost reduction initiatives and track validated savings and cost avoidance against agreed baselines.
Work with Operations and inventory personnel to improve inventory accuracy and transaction discipline and resolve excess, obsolete, and slow-moving materials.
Define, calculate, and maintain department metrics for supplier delivery, lead times, material costs, shortages, inventory turns, and inventory investment; report results and corrective actions to management.
Lead, coach, and cross-train the supply chain team, clarify responsibilities, and develop analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving capabilities.
Simplify workflows and reduce manual and transactional work to create capacity for strategic sourcing and continuous improvement.
Maintain purchasing controls, supplier records, and documentation consistent with company policies, the quality management system, and applicable customer requirements.
Ensure compliance with company policy and ISO 9001:2015 requirements.
Perform other duties as assigned.