Director, Materials Management

Work Schedule

Other

Environmental Conditions

Office

Job Description

The job:

As Director, Materials Management you will drive the Materials and Structural Analysis Division’s (MSD) competitive advantage by establishing Lean supply chain collaborations with key strategic suppliers.

Key responsibilities include leading supplier supply chain strategy to ensure customer satisfaction, cost efficiency, and material availability using the Practical Process Improvement (PPI) Business System.  You will partner closely with Procurement, Quality, Operations, and Planning to secure long-term supply assurance.

This role coordinates consolidated demand and capacity planning aligned with divisional strategy and requires expertise in manufacturing, testing, supply chain management, and operations, with a strong focus on Total Cost of Ownership, supply chain modelling, and sustainability.

This role is fully site-based at either our Eindhoven, the Netherlands, or Brno, Czechia sites.  You will have the flexibility to work from home 1 day per week.  Some international travel may be required – up to 25% of working time, including overnight stays.

What will you do?

                                            

• Establish Supply Chain Agreements (lead time, MOQ, lean collaboration, inventory) with key suppliers.
• Partner with Procurement, Operations, and Quality to transform supplier relationships into collaborative, pull-based partnerships focused on responsiveness, risk mitigation, quality, cost, lead time reduction, and sustainability.
• Lead supplier forecast aggregation, capacity and supply planning, and material management to ensure reliable material availability and operational-financial balance across the network.
• Drive strategic footprint decisions to secure service, optimize cost, and integrate risk scenario planning into supplier reviews.
• Manage global material blocking and component allocation for strategic suppliers.
• Lead Vendor Performance Reviews (OTD, VMI, responsiveness) and drive root cause analysis and improvement initiatives.
• Harmonize Supplier Supply Chain processes and ensure adoption of Practical Process Improvement (PPI) methods (Six Sigma, VSM) to enhance reliability and efficiency.
• Attract, develop, and engage talent; mentor Supply Chain and Purchasing teams.
• Implement robust digital tools and risk management processes for suppliers and materials.
• Establish a standardized supplier playbook with agreements, procedures, and tools.

Who we are looking for:

• Multiple years of practical experience in Integrated Supply Chain (ISC) within a global organization, preferably in high-mix/low-volume industrial environments.
• Consistent record of building and scaling strategic supplier partnerships, with strong knowledge of MSD suppliers preferred.
• Proven ability in materials management, supplier management, planning, inventory, and improving the end-to-end cost efficiency.
• Consistent record to lead strategic supply chain transformations, including risk mitigation, capacity alignment, cost control, supplier performance improvement, and digital transformation initiatives.
• Strong influencing skills across matrixed environments and without direct authority; shown ability to inspire change through collaboration and data-driven storytelling.
• Solid practical knowledge of Lean principles, automated replenishment, and inventory optimization.
• Several years of leadership experience with a focus on capability development and team empowerment.
• Strong communication skills—open, honest, and impactful—capable of aligning cross-functional teams behind a shared roadmap.
• Preferably a master’s degree in supply chain management or a related field.
• Embodies Thermo Fisher’s 4-I values: Integrity, Intensity, Innovation, and Involvement.
• Willingness to travel up to 25%, including internationally.
• Advanced level of English language (written and spoken).

What’s in it for you:

We offer competitive remuneration, an annual incentive plan bonus scheme and a range of employee benefits! Thermo Fisher Scientific offers employment with an innovative, forward-thinking organization, and outstanding career and development prospects. We offer an exciting company culture that stands for integrity, intensity, involvement, and innovation.