How to hire a material lead

How to hire a material lead, step by step

Here's a step-by-step material lead hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a material lead job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new material lead
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a material lead do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a material lead, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A material lead's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, material leads from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents material lead salaries for various positions.

   Type of Material Lead	Description	Hourly rate
   Material Lead	Material recording clerks track product information in order to keep businesses and supply chains on schedule. They ensure proper scheduling, recordkeeping, and inventory control.	$26-63
   Inventory Control Coordinator	An inventory control coordinator is responsible for monitoring the adequacy of office inventory to ensure that the company has enough supplies to support the employees' needs for business operations. Inventory control coordinators manage supply chain systems, conduct inventory checks regularly, write inventory reports, create purchase requests, and file inventory documents on the database... Show more	$13-22
   Inventory Coordinator	An inventory coordinator specializes in overseeing the supply flow of materials in a warehouse or similar setting. It is their responsibility to manage and handle the inventory, ensuring that the quantity and quality of materials align with company standards... Show more	$13-22

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Continuous Improvement
   • Logistics
   • Materials Management
   • Lean Manufacturing
   • Purchase Orders
   • Sigma
   • Shipping Receiving
   • Inventory Control
   • ERP
   • ISO
   • MRP
   • Material Flow
   • Material Planning
   • OSHA

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage materials MRP software systems set-up, sourcing, planning and layout for new product introduction of GACB.
   • Lead project to establish a Kanban system for hardware to a key station to reduce cycle time and increase efficiency.
   • Manage re-establishment of material management ERP system.
   • Manage all incoming domestic and overseas products including MRO and consignment materials.
   • Manage all raw materials and conduct inventory audits, maintain compliance guidelines, and supervise MRO purchasing to balance material shortage/surplus.
   • Utilize multiple databases and MRP systems to identify and resolve inventory issues daily

   More material lead duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the material lead job description is a good way to get more applicants. A material lead salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a material lead in Delaware may be lower than in New Hampshire, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level material lead. Additionally, a material lead with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average material lead salary

   $86,429yearly

   $41.55 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level material lead salary

   $56,000 yearly salary

   Updated February 2, 2026

   Average material lead salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$108,322	$52
   2	Massachusetts	$102,094	$49
   3	Idaho	$94,963	$46
   4	Virginia	$92,169	$44
   5	Michigan	$87,707	$42
   6	Tennessee	$87,294	$42
   7	Georgia	$85,811	$41
   8	Arizona	$85,423	$41
   9	Washington	$85,359	$41
   10	Illinois	$84,136	$40
   11	Kentucky	$81,238	$39
   12	Florida	$80,148	$39
   13	Ohio	$79,453	$38
   14	North Carolina	$78,568	$38
   15	Indiana	$77,829	$37
   16	Colorado	$76,572	$37
   17	South Carolina	$73,824	$35
   18	Texas	$73,047	$35
   19	Nebraska	$69,395	$33
   20	Missouri	$67,615	$33

   Average material lead salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Biogen	$120,679	$58.02
   2	Sanofi US	$111,365	$53.54
   3	Alstom	$104,168	$50.08	2
   4	Baker Hughes	$100,760	$48.44	3
   5	General Electric	$98,318	$47.27	27
   6	Intel	$96,673	$46.48
   7	AerSale	$95,292	$45.81
   8	Glatfelter	$93,252	$44.83	1
   9	Bayer	$92,146	$44.30	12
   10	Westinghouse Appliances Australia	$90,977	$43.74	5
   11	Volvo Trucks	$90,084	$43.31	2
   12	Lucid Motors	$88,545	$42.57	4
   13	Meggitt PLC	$87,895	$42.26
   14	Baptist Health Care	$86,052	$41.37
   15	Cummins	$85,972	$41.33	3
   16	Whirlpool	$85,211	$40.97	8
   17	Idaho National Lab	$85,150	$40.94
   18	General Dynamics	$85,046	$40.89	24
   19	Oak Ridge National Laboratory	$83,796	$40.29
   20	Plexus	$83,115	$39.96	1

4. Writing a material lead job description

   A material lead job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a material lead job description:

   Material lead job description example

   Leading the future in luxury electric and mobility
   At Lucid, we set out to introduce the most captivating, luxury electric vehicles that elevate the human experience and transcend the perceived limitations of space, performance, and intelligence. Vehicles that are intuitive, liberating, and designed for the future of mobility.
   
   We plan to lead in this new era of luxury electric by returning to the fundamentals of great design - where every decision we make is in service of the individual and environment. Because when you are no longer bound by convention, you are free to define your own experience.
   
   Come work alongside some of the most accomplished minds in the industry. Beyond providing competitive salaries, we're providing a community for innovators who want to make an immediate and significant impact. If you are driven to create a better, more sustainable future, then this is the right place for you.
   
   We are currently seeking Material Master Lead to join the Supply Chain function. The role is based at Lucid's manufacturing facility in Casa Grande, AZ, reporting to the Material Planning Manager.
   You Will:Responsible for executing the end-to-end Material Master Data process.Enters and maintains accuracy of all material data elements for the material masters in SAP (source system).Document master data owners, definitions, business rules, standards, data impact on operations and reporting which will by utilized to maintain the quality of the master data.Profiles master data to identify data integrity to make appropriate changes that will increase the quality of master data.Monitors all material reports, change notices and exception messages to ensure material data quality.Maintain the various master data hierarchies.Responsible for coordinating with NPI coordinator all process changes.Participates and leads master data clean-up efforts.Adheres to safeguards and controls, data security, compliance and privacy.Assists with any costing information as required for cost rolls for material.Create ad-hoc reports for the Material Planners and GSM team.Handle other projects or assignments as needed.
   You Bring: Bachelor's degree required; MBA preferred.Minimum 2 year of experience in SAP material master data management.Adaptability - must be able to adapt and adjust quickly to changes in a fast-paced business environment.Proficient in Microsoft Project, Smartsheets, Excel and Microsoft Office.Strong Analytical and problem-solving skills.Understanding of integrated supply chain processes.Collaborative and interpersonal skills.Able to work independently and within a team environment.Flexibility in work schedule is required (to include evenings and weekends, as needed).
   At Lucid, we don't just welcome diversity - we celebrate it! Lucid Motors is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, and any other characteristic protected under applicable State or Federal laws and regulations.
   
   Notice regarding COVID-19 protocols
   At Lucid, we prioritize the health and wellbeing of our employees, families, and friends above all else. In response to the novel Coronavirus all new Lucid employees, whose job will be based in the United States may or may not be required to provide original documentation confirming status as having received the prescribed inoculation (doses). Vaccination requirements are dependent upon location and position, please refer to the job description for more details.
   
   Individuals in positions requiring vaccinations may seek a medical and/or religious exemption from this requirement and may be granted such an accommodation after submitting a formal request to and the subsequent review and approval thereof by our dedicated Covid-19 Response team.
   
   To all recruitment agencies: Lucid Motors does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our careers alias or other Lucid Motors employees. Lucid Motors is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right material lead for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your material lead job on Zippia to find and recruit material lead candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit material leads, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new material lead

   Once you've decided on a perfect material lead candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new material lead first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a material lead?