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What does a Materials Operations Manager do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted Expert
Eric Olsen

A materials operations manager plays a specialized and important role in production and shipping within an organization. The job description for this position includes managing inventory of supplies, using complex budgets to determine what should be ordered, ensuring supplies are well distributed, and ensuring production runs efficiently. They also interact with suppliers, vendors, and clients; they are required to maintain relationships with suppliers, find new vendors, and ensure that customer orders are fulfilled on time.

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Materials operations manager responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real materials operations manager resumes:

  • Manage the data integrity and timely completion/closing of shop orders and material information in shop floor data systems and MRP.
  • Manage payroll distribution process ensuring timeliness, accuracy, and confidentiality to protect client's privacy and prevent liability of exposure.
  • Institute yearly partner quality audits for ISO 9001 plan.
  • Build a database in an ERP system for every course material being offer for each term.
  • Establish logistics, and purchasing processes to monitor supply chain contracts, equipment inventory, vehicles and other assets.
  • Implement ERP system (Made2Manage) which result in administrative labor savings of $15K a year since 2001.
  • Direct third party logistics warehouse management and personnel.
  • Re-Engineer customer service organization for increase customer service, electronic order systems and ISO compliance.
  • Design company website, PowerPoint presentation, brochure, profile, machinery list & factory production capacity information for marketing purposes.
  • Design and engineer station sortation layout to maximize productivity and to integrate new home delivery process in station during holiday season.

Materials operations manager skills and personality traits

We calculated that 9% of Materials Operations Managers are proficient in Logistics, Asphalt, and Chain Operations. They’re also known for soft skills such as Management skills, Communication skills, and Leadership skills.

We break down the percentage of Materials Operations Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Logistics, 9%

    Developed and implemented a revised logistics strategy reducing transportation cost by 37%.

  • Asphalt, 8%

    Asphalt testing (Density, VMA, AC, Hamburg Wheel) Gradations Soil testing

  • Chain Operations, 7%

    Prepare schedule for the onsite OR Supply Chain Operations.

  • Materials Management, 6%

    Develop and implement processes and procedures to maintain effective cost savings and materials management practices.

  • Safety Procedures, 5%

    Followed prescribed safety procedures, and compiled with federal laws regulating waste disposal methods.

  • Inventory Management, 4%

    Project Manager on a replenishment program which included centralized planning and inventory management.

"logistics," "asphalt," and "chain operations" are among the most common skills that materials operations managers use at work. You can find even more materials operations manager responsibilities below, including:

Communication skills. Many materials operations manager duties rely on communication skills. "top executives must be able to convey information clearly and persuasively," so a materials operations manager will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways materials operations manager responsibilities rely on communication skills: "fostered and cultivated open lines of communication with suppliers to ensure premium pricing for materials. "

Leadership skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of materials operations managers is leadership skills. This skill is critical to many everyday materials operations manager duties, as "top executives must be able to shape and direct an organization by coordinating policies, people, and resources." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "co-authored and implemented the materials, inventory and production control policies, procedures and provided the leadership training for asia pacific. "

Problem-solving skills. For certain materials operations manager responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "problem-solving skills." The day-to-day duties of a materials operations manager rely on this skill, as "top executives need to identify and resolve issues within an organization." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what materials operations managers do: "led conversion from stand-alone erp system to integrated solution, saving $6m. "

Time-management skills. Another crucial skill for a materials operations manager to carry out their responsibilities is "time-management skills." A big part of what materials operations managers relies on this skill, since "top executives do many tasks concurrently to ensure that their work gets done and that the organization meets its goals." How this skill relates to materials operations manager duties can be seen in an example from a materials operations manager resume snippet: "improved on time customer delivery from below 50% to above 94% while improving inventory management to 10+ turns annually. "

Most common materials operations manager skills

The three companies that hire the most materials operations managers are:

Compare different materials operations managers

Materials operations manager vs. Production control manager

A project control manager is an executive who manages, develops, and coordinates the schedules of production in the industrial environment. Production control managers make sure of the flow of parts, materials, and assemblies within or between departments. Typically, they handle the production workers. They make certain that manufacturing processes operate efficiently and reliably. Part of their responsibilities includes the estimation, negotiation, and agreement of timescales and budgets with the clients and the other managers. Among the qualifications for this job include a specialty in electrical engineering, communications, or business management.

If we compare the average materials operations manager annual salary with that of a production control manager, we find that production control managers typically earn a $40,592 higher salary than materials operations managers make annually.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between materials operations managers and production control managers are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like logistics, materials management, and inventory management.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between materials operations managers and production control manager. For instance, materials operations manager responsibilities require skills such as "asphalt," "chain operations," "safety procedures," and "data entry." Whereas a production control manager is skilled in "delivery performance," "lean manufacturing," "customer service," and "customer orders." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Production control managers tend to make the most money working in the automotive industry, where they earn an average salary of $103,140. In contrast, materials operations managers make the biggest average salary, $66,315, in the automotive industry.On average, production control managers reach similar levels of education than materials operations managers. Production control managers are 3.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Materials operations manager vs. General manager of operations

General managers of operations are employed to oversee the overall operations of businesses. Their responsibilities include the improvement of the efficiency of the operations and overall management. They coordinate the primary performance goals for direct reporting functions and set the strategies for the organization. It is their responsibility to communicate strategy as well as results to employees. They also engage with the corporate officers in the strategic planning and development of the organization or enterprise.

On average, general managers of operations earn a $40,661 higher salary than materials operations managers a year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both materials operations managers and general managers of operations have skills such as "logistics," "inventory management," and "inventory control. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real materials operations manager resumes. While materials operations manager responsibilities can utilize skills like "asphalt," "chain operations," "materials management," and "safety procedures," general managers of operations use skills like "customer service," "develop team," "financial statements," and "payroll."

Average education levels between the two professions vary. General managers of operations tend to reach similar levels of education than materials operations managers. In fact, they're 1.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Materials Operations Managers in the next 3-5 years?

E

Eric OlsenEric Olsen LinkedIn Profile

Professor, Industrial Technology and Packaging, Orfalea College of Business

We are doubling down on what we call "digital fabrication." Most manufacturing technologies we deal with now have a growing digital component that our students need to understand and be competent in. Of course, that means current hot exotics like additive manufacturing, but our students need to look at any process and realize there is probably a digitally enhanced path forward.

Materials operations manager vs. Director of materials management

A director of materials management is primarily in charge of spearheading and overseeing the daily operations in a company's purchasing and supply departments. It is their duty to set goals and guidelines, supervise the procurement programs and procedures, manage purchasing staff, review documentation and requests, and liaise with vendors and suppliers, building positive relationships with them. They must also address issues and concerns, resolving them in a timely and efficient manner. Furthermore, a director of materials management must lead teams while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

An average director of materials management eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of materials operations managers. The difference in salaries amounts to directors of materials management earning a $42,345 higher average salary than materials operations managers.By looking over several materials operations managers and directors of materials management resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "logistics," "chain operations," and "materials management." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from materials operations manager resumes include skills like "asphalt," "safety procedures," "data entry," and "gmp," whereas a director of materials management is more likely to list skills in "supply chain," "patients," "value analysis," and "chain management. "

Directors of materials management earn the highest salary when working in the manufacturing industry, where they receive an average salary of $88,094. Comparatively, materials operations managers have the highest earning potential in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $66,315.Most directors of materials management achieve a similar degree level compared to materials operations managers. For example, they're 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Materials operations manager vs. Materials planner

Usually working in a manufacturing setting, a materials planner's role is to manage the supply flow and inventory of materials. Their responsibilities revolve around liaising with vendors and other external agencies, processing purchase orders, monitoring the quality of supplies to ensure it is according to the standards, and coordinating with various teams to learn their needs. Furthermore, as a planner, it is essential to devise strategies to resolve any issues, all while adhering to the company's policies and standards.

Materials planners average a higher salary than the annual salary of materials operations managers. The difference is about $9,606 per year.While their salaries may vary, materials operations managers and materials planners both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "logistics," "inventory management," and "inventory control. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A materials operations manager uses "asphalt," "chain operations," "materials management," and "safety procedures." Materials planners are more likely to have duties that require skills in "supply chain," "customer service," "material planning," and "production schedules. "The automotive industry tends to pay the highest salaries for materials planners, with average annual pay of $69,067. Comparatively, the highest materials operations manager annual salary comes from the automotive industry.In general, materials planners hold similar degree levels compared to materials operations managers. Materials planners are 4.1% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of materials operations manager

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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