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What is a materials operations manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Eric Olsen

Materials operations managers are responsible for overseeing the creation of goods or provision of services. They are in charge of a company's productivity, safety measures, quality control, and staff. They follow the firm's specific guidelines and represent it on regulatory issues. They also analyze the existing system of production to ensure it is effective and are involved in day-to-day activities which mean contact with vendors, staff, and other clients.

Materials operations managers earn an average salary of $36,000 annually or $17 per hour. Their duties include preparing budgets, scheduling spending, and finding ways to reduce cost and increase profit. They outline the company's expectations to employees and hire, train, assign, schedule, coach, and discipline employees. They also enforce the company's policies and procedures.

Materials operations managers typically hold a bachelor's degree in business or a related field. They are expected to have some experience in a similar role, and some employers may prefer candidates with excellent management, communication, and leadership skills to boot.

What general advice would you give to a materials operations manager?

Eric OlsenEric Olsen LinkedIn profile

Professor, Industrial Technology and Packaging, Orfalea College of Business

Times of change are also times of great opportunities. We are going to need new technical solutions to address problems we are just learning about. You have to lean into the issues. Don't be a technologist - be a problem solver. That is why we also emphasize soft skills like lean six sigma, teamwork, and change management.
ScoreMaterials Operations ManagerUS Average
Salary
3.8

Avg. Salary $48,861

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
9.6

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.47%

Asian 6.32%

Black or African American 6.12%

Hispanic or Latino 15.00%

Unknown 4.33%

White 67.76%

Gender

female 15.74%

male 84.26%

Age - 44
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44
Stress level
9.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
9.2

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
3.6

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Materials operations manager career paths

Key steps to become a materials operations manager

  1. Explore materials operations manager education requirements

    Most common materials operations manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    53.5 %

    High School Diploma

    14.6 %

    Associate

    14.0 %
  2. Start to develop specific materials operations manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Logistics9.09%
    Asphalt7.91%
    Chain Operations6.82%
    Materials Management5.95%
    Safety Procedures4.67%
  3. Complete relevant materials operations manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New materials operations managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a materials operations manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real materials operations manager resumes.
  4. Gain additional materials operations manager certifications

    Materials operations manager certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific materials operations manager certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for materials operations managers include Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) and Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research materials operations manager duties and responsibilities

    • 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.
  6. Apply for materials operations manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a materials operations manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first materials operations manager job

Zippi

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Average materials operations manager salary

The average materials operations manager salary in the United States is $48,861 per year or $23 per hour. Materials operations manager salaries range between $26,000 and $89,000 per year.

Average materials operations manager salary
$48,861 Yearly
$23.49 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do materials operations managers rate their job?

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Materials operations manager reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020
Pros

Have a direct impact of the company bottom targets.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2020
Cons

work will be sometimes hectic.

Pros

its a challenging work. you need lot of potential to be materials manager.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2019
Pros

Learning more on the job and gaining new skills and experience

Cons

Nothing at all


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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.

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