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What is a materials planning manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Priya Nagaraj

The primary responsibility of a materials planning manager is to oversee and manage the materials aspect of a company's production process. It is your duty to determine the needed materials and generate purchase orders for them.

You must also make sure that the materials needed for production are supplied in the right quantity on time and that materials meet up the specifications and quality standards for production. Material planning managers track production volume, monitor customers' purchase trends. They manage the inventory, prepare cost estimates and reports.

The minimum requirement to become a material planning manager is a high school diploma or a GED. Some employers prefer a degree in business, logistics, or in any similar field. You must have good verbal and written skills. In addition to this, you must possess strong management, problem-solving and organizational skills. Proficiency in software packages like Microsoft Office is also required. Averagely, a material planning manager earns $108,800 per year.

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

Priya NagarajPriya Nagaraj LinkedIn profile

Professor of Economics and Global Business, Website

Students should be able to analyze and interpret data. For instance, demand forecasting and predictive analytics are a large part of this industry today. As the number of regulations across nations increases, it is important to have at least some knowledge of foreign regulations. Cross-cultural knowledge and experience are always a plus in this area for prospective employees. People skills are also important along with knowledge of additional languages.
ScoreMaterials Planning ManagerUS Average
Salary
7.5

Avg. Salary $95,361

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
8.1

Growth rate -6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.1
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.30%

Asian 7.38%

Black or African American 8.97%

Hispanic or Latino 12.13%

Unknown 3.81%

White 67.41%

Gender

female 22.85%

male 77.15%

Age - 47
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 - 47
Stress level
8.1

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.7

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
3.4

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Materials planning manager career paths

Key steps to become a materials planning manager

  1. Explore materials planning manager education requirements

    Most common materials planning manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    66.7 %

    Master's

    18.6 %

    Associate

    11.1 %
  2. Start to develop specific materials planning manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Material Planning7.31%
    Logistics7.10%
    Continuous Improvement6.82%
    Inventory Control5.44%
    Materials Management5.23%
  3. Complete relevant materials planning manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New materials planning 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 planning manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real materials planning manager resumes.
  4. Research materials planning manager duties and responsibilities

    • Manage both domestic and international logistics to support just in time production environment.
    • Support successful ISO 9002 plant certification process
    • Represent department during ISO certification drive and subsequent audits.
    • Demonstrate logistics expertise by identifying and researching inventory and production issues, and promptly devising a plan for resolution.
  5. Prepare your materials planning manager resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your materials planning manager resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a materials planning manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable materials planning manager resume templates

    Build a professional materials planning manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your materials planning manager resume.
    Materials Planning Manager Resume
    Materials Planning Manager Resume
    Materials Planning Manager Resume
    Materials Planning Manager Resume
    Materials Planning Manager Resume
    Materials Planning Manager Resume
    Materials Planning Manager Resume
    Materials Planning Manager Resume
    Materials Planning Manager Resume
  6. Apply for materials planning manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a materials planning 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 planning manager job

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Average materials planning manager salary

The average materials planning manager salary in the United States is $95,361 per year or $46 per hour. Materials planning manager salaries range between $73,000 and $124,000 per year.

Average materials planning manager salary
$95,361 Yearly
$45.85 hourly

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How do materials planning managers rate their job?

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Materials planning manager reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2020
Pros

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

Cons

work will be sometimes hectic.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2019
Pros

I am continuously working to develop my the communication and computer skills necessary listed in the job description job description. My formal education which is bachelors degree in philosophy and a minor in economics. I am currently furthering my education in the area of computer science.

Cons

I am working to improve my area of concern which is having limitations when managing employees.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2019
Pros

KEEPING THE INVENTORY AND COMMUNICATING WITH PEOPLE

Cons

THERE ISN'T ANYTHING I DON'T LIKE ABOUT IT YET. BUT I WOULD LIKE MORE MONEY,


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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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