We begin with dreams. Dreams drive our motivation. Dreams are our future. The world's dreams, people's dreams, our dreams. Our passion creates ideas that make dreams come alive. Technology and products that were only dreams become reality.
All for dreams. Dreams challenge and the Nidec-Group will continue to meet the challenge. For the world's and people's tomorrows; the world's first, the world's best technologies and products; we will continue our part in creating a better society.
Job Summary
WHO ARE WEJob Description
The Materials Manager is responsible for end-to-end materials management strategy and performance to support production, customer delivery, and inventory integrity at an electric motor manufacturing plant serving the aerospace propulsion market.
This role provides leadership and governance across production planning, purchasing, customer service, warehousing, inventory control, and site logistics execution, with functional leads reporting into the position. The Materials Manager ensures uninterrupted production flow, disciplined inventory management, and alignment with quality, safety, and regulatory requirements.
The position works cross functionally with operations, engineering, quality, finance, and centralized corporate teams (e.g., Trade Compliance, Logistics) to anticipate material risk, support new product introductions, and drive continuous improvement.
The individual is responsible for:
Production Planning & Scheduling
Develop and maintain the master production plan aligned with customer demand, after market forecast, and manufacturing capacity.
Balance demand, capacity, and material availability to support on‑time production and delivery.
Define, maintain, and continuously improve planning parameters such as lead times, safety stock, and reorder points.
Coordinate with Manufacturing, Engineering, and Quality to support engineering changes, product launches, and recovery plans.
Purchasing & Material Planning
Lead material planning and purchasing activities to ensure timely availability of raw materials and components.
Manage and develop Material Planners, setting priorities, objectives, and performance expectations.
Ensure purchase orders are properly released, confirmed, and followed through the ERP system.
Monitor supplier delivery performance and collaborate with Quality and Procurement teams on corrective actions when required.
Customer Service
Lead Customer Service Representatives who act as the plant’s primary interface with customers regarding orders and deliveries.
Ensure accurate order entry, confirmation, and shipment execution.
Serve as the escalation point for customer delivery issues, demand changes, and material shortages.
Support clear and timely communication with customers regarding delivery commitments, backlog, and recovery plans.
Warehouse & Inventory Management
Own warehouse operations, including receiving, storage, picking, shipping, and internal material flow.
Ensure high inventory accuracy through cycle counts, discrepancy analysis, and corrective actions.
Maintain safe warehouse operations in accordance with EHS requirements and company policies.
Lead physical inventory execution and inventory reconciliation in coordination with Finance.
Drive initiatives to reduce excess and obsolete (E&O) inventory.
Logistics (Site Level‑ Coordination)
Coordinate inbound and outbound material movements in collaboration with centralized Logistics and Trade Compliance organizations.
Ensure materials are prepared and released in compliance with applicable export control and trade requirements.
Monitor site logistics for KPIs such as on-time‑ delivery, transit performance, and premium freight usage.
Systems, Controls & Continuous Improvement
Ensure accurate and timely transactions in SAP, maintain strong inventory controls, and master data discipline.
Track and report key materials for KPIs, including inventory turns, shortages, premium freight, and supplier performance.
Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on planning accuracy, material flow, inventory optimization, and operational efficiency.
Support internal and external audits related to inventory and materials processes.
Leadership & Cross Functional‑ Collaboration
Lead, coach, and develop teams across Planning, Purchasing, Customer Service, and Warehouse functions.
Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Partner with Finance on inventory valuation, reserves, and cost control.
Communicate material risks clearly to plant leadership and stakeholders.
Support plant and corporate strategic initiatives.
Technical Knowledge & Professional Skills
Strong experience in materials management and supply chain operations within a manufacturing environment.
Proficiency in ERP systems (SAP preferred) for planning, purchasing, and inventory management.
Solid understanding of production planning and inventory control in low volume, ‑high mix manufacturing.
Ability to define and manage inventory strategies, including safety stock and excess & obsolescence reduction.
Experience working with suppliers to manage delivery performance and material availability.
Experience handling export‑controlled and regulated materials, with strong knowledge of Foreign Trade and customs requirements, working cross‑functionally with Trade Compliance, Engineering, and Procurement to ensure compliance while reducing tariffs, duties, and trade‑related costs.
Strong analytical skills with proficiency in Excel, Power BI, or similar tools.
Practical knowledge of Lean manufacturing, Kaizen, and continuous improvement methodologies as applied to materials and warehouse operations.
Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving‑ skills.
Education & Experience
Required
Bachelor's degree in industrial engineering, Logistics, Supply Chain, Business Administration, or a related engineering or business discipline.
7+ years of progressive experience in materials management, supply chain, or operations leadership roles within a manufacturing environment.
Spanish and English proficient.
Proven experience leading teams and working cross functionally‑ with operations, engineering, quality, and finance.
Experience working in a structured, process driven‑ manufacturing environment with strong systems discipline.
APICS CPIM, CSCP, or equivalent supply chain certification is preferred.
Willingness and documentation to travel domestically and internationally (American visa and Passport)
Desired / Nice to‑ ‑Have Aerospace & Regulated Industry Experience
The following are not required, but are considered strong advantages:
Experience in the aerospace industry, particularly in high reliability components.
Experience working in AS9100 and/or ISO 9001 certified environments.
Knowledge of material traceability, conformance documentation, and audit readiness.
Familiarity with engineering change control and its impact on materials and inventory.
Exposure to First Article Inspection (FAI / AS9145) processes.
Background in other regulated or high reliability‑ industries (automotive Tier 1, medical devices, electronics, defense) is considered comparable and valuable.
Key Indicators of Success
Stable production with minimal material related‑ disruptions.
High inventory accuracy and disciplined materials controls.
Clear and opportune communication of material risks and constraints.
Strong collaboration with centralized compliance and logistics functions.
A well-structured‑ and continuously improving materials organization
Additional Job Details
Management – M3
Organizational Impact
• Establishes tactical and operational plans with major impact on immediate or short-term results (e.g., less than 1 year) towards and significantly influences the achievement of results of the department and/or job family
• Develops new products, processes, standards or operational plans in support of the job family group and/or department strategy
• Responsible for revenue and/or expenditures in a specific area or for the team. Additional oversight and review provided by next level of people leadership
Communication & Influence
• Communicates with parties within and outside of own job family or department, which may include external clients or partners depending upon the family/department
• Requires ability to influence others to accept the department’s or job family group’s view/practices and agree/accept new concepts, practices, and approaches
• May require ability to communicate with senior leadership regarding matters of significant importance to the department
Innovation & Complexity
• Responsible for making moderate to significant improvements of processes, systems, or products to enhance performance of department and/or job family
• Problems and issues faced are numerous and undefined, and require detailed information gathering, analysis, and investigation to understand the problem
• Problems are difficult and moderately complex. Problems typically impact multiple teams. Problems are typically solved by drawing from deep prior experience and analysis of issues
Leadership & Talent Management
• Manages a large team typically comprising experienced professionals
• Responsible for creating workforce and staffing plans for area of responsibility to ensure availability of talent necessary to accomplish departmental business results
• Typically has hiring, firing, promotion, and reward authority within own area, in accordance with corporate guidelines
Knowledge & Experience
• Requires broad management knowledge to lead project teams in the department
• Typically has deep-level knowledge and skills within a specific technical or professional discipline with broad understanding of other areas within the job family group/business unit
• Typically requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional certification and 7 years of prior relevant experience
Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action at Nidec
Nidec is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Affirmative Action Employer encouraging diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to their age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, genetic information, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. For more information regarding your (EEO) rights as an applicant, please visit the following website: http://www1.eeoc.gov/employers/upload/eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf
Work Shift Schedule
No Soliciting
Nidec will not accept unsolicited resumes from individual recruiters or third party recruiting agencies in response to Nidec job postings. No fee will be paid to third parties who submit unsolicited candidates directly to our hiring managers. Pre-approval from the Nidec Talent Acquisition team is required before any external candidate can be submitted and such candidate must be submitted to the Nidec Talent Acquisition team.