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 the supply chain team in an ISO 9001:2015-certified manufacturing organization. The role balances material availability, total cost, inventory investment, quality, and supply risk while supporting operational and customer commitments. It partners with Operations, Planning, Quality, Sales, and Finance, and reports to the General Manager. Initial priorities include improving Epicor Kinetic data and planning parameters, leading the implementation of Inventory Planning and Optimization (IP&O), strengthening purchasing practices, and reducing material costs and shortages. The manager develops supply strategies and inventory policies, improves supplier performance and continuity, and establishes metrics and corrective actions. The role also coaches and cross-trains the supply chain team and maintains purchasing controls and documentation in accordance with company policies, quality-system requirements, and applicable customer requirements. The position is primarily office-based in a temperature-controlled environment. PPE is required when entering the manufacturing floor, and the role may require lifting up to 40 pounds. Travel to suppliers and company locations is required as needed. Compensation is a competitive hourly wage or salary based on experience, with medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, paid holidays, vacation, and a 401(k) with an employer match up to 4%.

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.
Demonstrated success improving supplier performance, negotiating commercial terms, and reducing total material costs.
Strong working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems, inventory planning, and purchasing master data.
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.
Ability to lift up to 40 pounds as needed.
PPE is required when on the manufacturing floor.

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.
Experience and knowledge of OSHA and EPA regulations.

Responsibilities

Lead supply chain strategy and daily execution, balancing material availability, total cost, inventory investment, and supply risk.
Establish and 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 that account for common raw materials, intermittent demand, long supplier lead times, and changing market conditions.
Partner with Planning and Operations to validate MRP recommendations and align purchasing decisions 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; address delivery, responsiveness, and capacity issues; and partner with Quality on supplier qualification and corrective actions.
Lead material-cost-reduction initiatives and track validated savings and cost avoidance against agreed-upon 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.
Collaborate with senior management and cross-functional teams to align supply chain activities with company goals and provide performance updates.
Perform other duties as assigned.