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Material manager skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

7 min read

Quoted experts

Priya Nagaraj,

Daniel Stanton

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical material manager skills. We ranked the top skills for material managers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 11.5% of material manager resumes contained supply chain as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a material manager needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 material manager skills for your resume and career

1. Supply Chain

A supply chain is a network or a sequence by which finished products of a company are distributed to retailers and then supplied to the end-users. The distribution of products and services from the production line to the final buyers is carried out in a series of steps including; manufacturing, transportation, and their distribution. The whole supply chain consists of different entities including; manufacturers, transportation, warehouses, suppliers, and retailers. The entities ensure that the products retain their originality while also minimizing the cost of delivery.

Here's how material managers use supply chain:

Provided logistical support in manufacturing planning, material planning, procurement, information systems administration, supply chain and strategic planning.
Provide effective leadership and direction to materials management organization to ensure the organization consistently delivers efficient and timely supply chain solutions.

2. Logistics

Logistics is a complete organization and implementation of a problem. Logistics are often considered in a complex business operation, as some works need detailed plannings. Logistics are also used in military action.

Here's how material managers use logistics:

Managed all inventory and logistics functions for prosthetic devices including quality assurance procedures, purchasing, and inventory consignment strategies.
Ensured all corporate logistics procedures and inventory management was handled in an accurate and timely manner in a fast-paced environment.

3. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how material managers use customer service:

Established policies/procedures and initiated expansion of computer technology to automate general business, customer service, purchasing, and inventory functions.
Direct reports: Purchasing Supervisor, Warehouse/Inventory Control Supervisor, Production Control/Customer Service Supervisor, Customs Supervisor, and Shipping Supervisor.

4. Inventory Control

Here's how material managers use inventory control:

Managed the overall purchasing and inventory control functions of a manufacturing business, and oversaw the Receiving Department and Purchasing Department.
Established a new Purchasing Department within the organization assuming direct responsibility for materials acquisition, contract negotiations and inventory control.

5. Materials Management

Materials management refers to the process of monitoring and controlling the inventory and use of materials, often within a manufacturing plant. This management may also require shipping and delivery of the materials depending on the material product, price, and customer demand.

Here's how material managers use materials management:

Directed supply chain and materials management operations at multiple sites, including production facilities, warehouses, and international construction sites.
Created regional communities and lead governing councils to monitor materials management operating compliance and increase materials management competency within the organization.

6. Continuous Improvement

Continuous improvement is an ongoing process of improvement of products, services, and processes with the help of innovative ideas. It is an organized approach that helps an organization to find its weaknesses and improve them.

Here's how material managers use continuous improvement:

Introduced lean manufacturing concepts such as continuous improvement and Five S housekeeping practices to a traditional job shop manufacturing environment.
Developed and lead continuous improvement projects and activities in the areas of customer service, inventory management and transportation.

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7. On-Time Delivery

On-Time Delivery, or OTD, is a metric that measures the rate at which finished goods and deliveries are completed on time. This rate is measured by the overall number of units shipped within a specified time frame agreed upon by the consumer and supplier. On-Time Delivery allows suppliers' compliance with delivery deadlines, and hence their consistency, to be assessed using a continuous and collaborative development approach.

Here's how material managers use on-time delivery:

Identified, developed and implemented daily production requirements for critical suppliers with the results of an increase of on-time delivery performance.
Supervised the Auburn facility purchasing, shipping and receiving personnel to guarantee quality and cost-effective on-time delivery of finished goods.

8. MRP

MRP is an abbreviation of Material Requirements Planning and refers to the control system which is implemented in the planning and management of the activities related to manufacturing. Through MRP, manufacturers can easily schedule the production and it can also be used for inventory. MRP systems are mostly software-based but the process can also be carried out manually.

Here's how material managers use mrp:

Helped develop MRP in facility using Statistical Analysis and developed characteristics planning for use in Materials and Capacity Planning of SAP.
Managed all aspects of procurement and production for new product introductions including generation of MRP data and project management.

9. Shipping Receiving

Here's how material managers use shipping receiving:

Managed purchasing, production/inventory control, Shipping receiving and warehouse departments for two separate manufacturing locations.
Manage materials group; shipping receiving; put away and 5S functions.

10. Purchase Orders

Here's how material managers use purchase orders:

Processed customer purchase orders, scheduled material, generated purchase orders, and established production schedules as Program Manager/Team Lead.
Administer purchase orders and perform expediting activities with suppliers and sub-suppliers to ensure timely delivery of materials and equipment.

11. Lean Manufacturing

Here's how material managers use lean manufacturing:

Implemented a lean manufacturing strategy and 5-S initiatives to organize warehouse and line presentation areas to improve safety, and housekeeping.
Managed material management/replenishment of lean manufacturing lines, Supervised 40+ employees and conducted sessions for strategic planning and execution.

12. ERP

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is computer software used by major corporations and organizations for conducting their management and accounting tasks efficiently. ERP systems bind different business processes with each other allowing smoother flow of data between them resulting in swift project assessment and completion.

Here's how material managers use erp:

Enhanced team productivity by personally developing exception reports via ERP report writer.
Maintained all activity within these organizations in the Visual Manufacturing ERP system.

13. Production Scheduling

Here's how material managers use production scheduling:

Managed warehousing, customer service, and production scheduling functions for 24/7 manufacturing operations for 25 commercial products 15 international customers.
Established and supervised production scheduling activities by monitoring materials inventories, tracking progress of production and reviewing factors that affect schedules.

14. Inventory Management

Here's how material managers use inventory management:

Streamlined material forecasting, requisitioning, material procurement (RFQ) and inventory management processes, standardized contract terms and conditions.
Managed two direct reports, one supporting site implementations and the other developing inventory management, forecasting and global reporting databases.

15. Kanban

Kanban is a technique for managing, supervising, and improving administrations to make work profitable. The entire premise is to make work more and more efficient. Ironing flaws out, and managing what works, and improving on it. Change is applied in small increments to avoid a shock in the system.

Here's how material managers use kanban:

Established vendor KanBan delivery systems reducing on hand inventory dollars and material handling hours.
Implemented KanBan system in the commercial manufacturing area.

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What skills help Material Managers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What material manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Priya Nagaraj

Professor of Economics and Global Business, Website

One of the most important factors is some experience in the industry. An internship working in the logistics or supply chain area is a plus. Sometimes students' internships are not specifically in logistics, in such cases, it helps to have worked on a project in class that mimics real-life situations.

What type of skills will young material managers need?

Daniel Stanton

CEO, Mr. Supply Chain

Of course, supply chain professionals need to understand the basics of logistics, procurement, and operations. But if I had to pick just three skills that I think are going to be critical for supply chain graduates in the years ahead, I'd say 1) Data Analysis, 2) Systems Thinking, and 3) Project Management. The amount of data that's available is growing quickly, and we need people who can access and analyze it. Then, we need to understand what that data means, and how it affects all of the different functions within our supply chains. And finally, in order to use that data to make changes, supply chain professionals need to be able to launch and manage projects effectively.

Do you want to know more?

List of material manager skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a material manager resume and required skills for a material manager to have include:

Supply Chain
Logistics
Customer Service
Inventory Control
Materials Management
Continuous Improvement
On-Time Delivery
MRP
Shipping Receiving
Purchase Orders
Lean Manufacturing
ERP
Production Scheduling
Inventory Management
Kanban
Material Flow
Chain Management

Cost Reduction
Material Planning
Production Planning
Sigma
Material Control
Direct Reports
Production Control
Cost Savings
Inventory Accuracy
ISO
WIP
Corrective Action
Supplier Performance
Customer Demand
Cycle Counts
BOM
Master Scheduling

Process Improvement
JIT
Customer Orders
Obsolete Inventory
Supply Chain Planning
Material Handlers
Warehouse Operations
Kaizen
MRO
Inventory Reduction
Capacity Planning
KPI
OTD
OEM
Product Line

Updated January 8, 2025

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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