How to hire a raw material manager

How to hire a raw material manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step raw material manager hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a raw material manager, 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 raw material manager's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, raw material managers 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.

   The following list breaks down different types of raw material managers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Raw Material Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Raw Material Manager	Purchasing managers plan, direct, and coordinate the buying of materials, products, or services for wholesalers, retailers, or organizations. They oversee the work of procurement-related occupations including buyers and purchasing agents.	$30-64
   Director, Procurement	The responsibilities of a procurement director revolve around ensuring the efficient and smooth flow of supplies within the company, developing procurement strategies for optimal services and operations, assessing risks, and overseeing the implementation of new policies and regulations in the company. It is essential to coordinate with analysts to identify areas with potential opportunities or those needing improvements... Show more	$47-95
   Procurement Officer	A procurement officer is primarily in charge of overseeing the procurement of supplies and equipment for an organization, prioritizing cost-efficiency and quality. It is their duty to manage the company's supply inventory, compile and analyze procurement requests, develop purchase plans, handle purchase procedures, and maintain records of all transactions, producing reports regularly... Show more	$25-48

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • QA
   • FDA
   • GMP
   • Commodities
   • Quality Issues
   • Production Schedules
   • Strategic Sourcing
   • Cost Reduction
   • Food Safety
   • ISO
   • Logistics
   • Global Sourcing
   • Production Lines
   • Vendor Selection

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Assist in achieving ISO certification and chair vendor audits for quality compliance.
   • Lead the accelerated development of new global supply base and logistics to replace long-standing domestic suppliers.
   • Manage all raw materials and conduct inventory audits, maintain compliance guidelines, and supervise MRO purchasing to balance material shortage/surplus.
   • Decrease inventories using MRP system to alert order status and re-ordering materials on a timely basis.
   • Machine job shop supervision of industrial wood processing tool manufacturing with extreme tolerances in a participative MRP work cell environment.
   • Review shipment accuracy and logistics billings.

   More raw material manager duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the raw material manager job description is a good way to get more applicants. A raw material manager 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 raw material manager in Louisiana may be lower than in New Jersey, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level raw material manager. Additionally, a raw material manager with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average raw material manager salary

   $92,914yearly

   $44.67 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level raw material manager salary

   $64,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 21, 2026

   Average raw material manager salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$110,723	$53
   2	Michigan	$108,416	$52
   3	New York	$107,227	$52
   4	Maryland	$104,605	$50
   5	Pennsylvania	$94,756	$46
   6	Ohio	$91,683	$44
   7	Texas	$87,797	$42
   8	Missouri	$80,031	$38
   9	Florida	$72,010	$35

   Average raw material manager salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Bristol-Myers Squibb	$121,218	$58.28	10
   2	Amgen	$117,284	$56.39
   3	PVH	$112,025	$53.86	6
   4	Ford Motor	$105,682	$50.81	12
   5	Nephron Pharmaceuticals	$103,702	$49.86
   6	Northrop Grumman	$98,405	$47.31	6
   7	Catalent Pharma Solutions	$96,345	$46.32	5
   8	URBN	$93,546	$44.97
   9	Precision Castparts	$92,828	$44.63	5
   10	Pharmaceutics International	$92,033	$44.25
   11	TAMKO Building Products	$91,215	$43.85
   12	Deli Express	$90,788	$43.65
   13	Solvay America Inc	$90,378	$43.45
   14	Mast	$89,794	$43.17
   15	The Mosaic Company	$89,046	$42.81	1
   16	Randstad North America, Inc.	$88,379	$42.49
   17	Management Recruiters International(MRI)	$88,116	$42.36	1
   18	Diversey	$86,643	$41.66	1
   19	The Children's Place	$85,461	$41.09
   20	Chico Hot Springs	$85,066	$40.90

4. Writing a raw material manager job description

   A job description for a raw material manager role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a raw material manager job description:

   Raw material manager job description example

   The Field Department Manager position will be responsible for sourcing fruit that meets or exceeds quality required to support the Dole branded and private label frozen fruit products we manufacture and bag. This includes securing quality fruit and management of relationships with current and potential suppliers; providing intelligence and guidance on market conditions and industry supply position to senior decisions-makers for their consideration and direction. As well as developing an in-depth understanding of nuances associated with the various growing regions we source raw fruit from.
   Responsibilities
   
   * Develop strong business and professional relationships with contracted growers as well as to cultivate relationships with potential growers
   * Initiate and advance negotiations under the direction of the General Manager that are aligned with our current business needs and our growth plans
   * Develop and maintain an in-depth understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with the various growing regions we source from including aspects associated with climate and soil, a knowledge of grower reputation and their affiliations and attitude toward quality and service
   * Stay educated on the latest farming techniques and variety development, organic practices and industry developments
   * Promote improved raw fruit quality through frequent field visits and knowledge sharing.
   * Continually evaluate ranches/farms for conditions that can negatively affect quality and yield (including but not limited to rot mildew, presence of harmful insects/pests, and disease
   * Ensure growers are following Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs)
   * Provide information on market conditions to senior managers as requested including information on pricing trends, planting activity and competitor activity
   * Collect field data necessary to estimate annual and future yields for all raw fruit types Dole sources
   * Continually gather and supply up-to-date information on global crop size and condition
   * Participate in industry organizations as requested
   * Manage field department staff
   
   Qualifications
   
   * Experience with budgeting and financial analysis
   * Ability to develop positive relationships with all levels of internal and external contacts including management team members, growers, processors, etc.
   * Effective negotiation and conflict resolution skills
   * Strong computer skills (Excel, MS Word & PowerPoint) with ability to easily learn new systems
   * A valid CA Driver's License - and operate a company vehicle in compliance with the law and Dole Company vehicle policies
   
   KEY COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:
   
   * Strong leadership skills
   * High analytical capacity
   * Strong problem solving skills
   * Teamwork
   * Time management
   * Multi-tasking
   * Interpersonal skills
   * Initiative
   * Communication
   * Work efficiency
   * Second language a plus
   
   EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
   
   * Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural Economics, Crop and Soil, Horticulture or related field preferred or and 5 years of progressive agricultural experience in a similar capacity or;
   * 6-10 years of progressive agricultural experience in a capacity closely related to grower management
   
   PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
   
   * Ability to drive a motor vehicle long distances and travel extensively within the various growing regions
   * Ability to work in all weather conditions
   * Ability to sit and use a computer for extended periods of time; ability to answer phones, and utilize a variety of office equipment. Ability to lift 40 lbs., climb stairs
   * Ability to traverse through areas without roads, sidewalks, etc. (ex: dirt fields)
   
   TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:
   
   * Approximately 50%
   
   Employment is contingent upon drug screen, background verification and skills test required for some positions.
   
   All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find raw material managers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any raw material managers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level raw material managers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit raw material managers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   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 raw material manager

   Once you have selected a candidate for the raw material manager position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the 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.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new raw material manager. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

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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