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The differences between materials directors and material managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a materials director and a material manager. Additionally, a materials director has an average salary of $127,061, which is higher than the $96,125 average annual salary of a material manager.
The top three skills for a materials director include supply chain, logistics and continuous improvement. The most important skills for a material manager are supply chain, logistics, and customer service.
| Materials Director | Material Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $127,061 | $96,125 |
| Hourly rate | $61.09 | $46.21 |
| Growth rate | -6% | -6% |
| Number of jobs | 20,718 | 43,759 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A materials director oversees daily operations of a purchasing office and storeroom. They oversee an organizations' policies, supervise staff within the purchasing office, distribute supplies, carry out requisitions, coordinate warehouse activities, and maintain relationships with vendors. They also need to keep detailed records of procurement activities and material quantities.
A material manager is responsible for monitoring inventories and stock supplies, ensuring the adequacy of materials needed for manufacturing or other operations, depending on the organization's industry. Material managers meet with suppliers and third-party vendors, negotiating contracts that would fit the budget goals of the company without compromising quality. They manage the distribution of resources throughout the organizations' department and provide purchase reports for the management. A material manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills to address the needs of an organization for smooth operations.
Materials directors and material managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Materials Director | Material Manager | |
| Average salary | $127,061 | $96,125 |
| Salary range | Between $92,000 And $173,000 | Between $72,000 And $126,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Menlo Park, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Koch Industries | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Technology |
There are a few differences between a materials director and a material manager in terms of educational background:
| Materials Director | Material Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between materials directors' and material managers' demographics:
| Materials Director | Material Manager | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.0% Female, 12.0% | Male, 77.7% Female, 22.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.4% Asian, 7.5% White, 66.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 7.4% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |