What does a raw material manager do?
Raw material manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real raw material manager resumes:
- 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.
- Reinforce and ensure FDA regulatory compliance; participate in validation projects as needed.
- Serve as a sub-process owner and/or oversee ISO certification compliance with official standard operating procedures involving the Packaging/Materials department.
- Use many different drawings to determine QC and purchase order acceptance of material.
- Mentor team to improve operating equipment efficiencies (OEE's) in high volume manufacturing operations.
- Establish potential customer base and offer these complete RFQ's for bid.
- Sort, identify, select, and process components and materials for the RFQ process.
- Participate in field efforts and provide oversight of remediation subcontractors.
Raw material manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of Raw Material Managers are proficient in QA, FDA, and GMP. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Negotiating skills, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Raw Material Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- QA, 11%
Trained on LOTO for PRL lab work and updated on all QA safety training for working in P&G laboratories.
- FDA, 10%
Reinforced and ensured FDA regulatory compliance; participated in validation projects as needed.
- GMP, 9%
Trained and mindful of all GMP protocol for small-scale and PRL scale lab work.
- Commodities, 7%
Negotiated a one year $1.5M savings with long standing chemical's commodities vendor.
- Quality Issues, 7%
Work directly with manufacturing leads to resolve quality issues relating to purchased items.
- Production Schedules, 6%
Manage and prioritize the work load of the raw material department depending on the production schedule.
Most raw material managers use their skills in "qa," "fda," and "gmp" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential raw material manager responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a raw material manager to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "when evaluating suppliers, purchasing managers and buyers and purchasing agents must analyze their options and choose a supplier with the best combination of price, quality, delivery, or service." Additionally, a raw material manager resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "established corporate technical specifications on all raw materials purchased company-wide and supervised loading specifications into the company as400 database. "
Negotiating skills. Another essential skill to perform raw material manager duties is negotiating skills. Raw material managers responsibilities require that "purchasing managers and buyers and purchasing agents often must negotiate the terms of a contract with a supplier." Raw material managers also use negotiating skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "obtained cost reduction by renegotiating with existing vendors and/or re-sourcing through alternative business partners. "
The three companies that hire the most raw material managers are:
- Glaxosmithkline3 raw material managers jobs
- Catalent Pharma Solutions2 raw material managers jobs
- Nordstrom2 raw material managers jobs
Compare different raw material managers
Raw material manager vs. 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. Moreover, a director, procurement may directly communicate with stakeholders or higher-ranking officials, participate in recruiting new members of the workforce, and create programs for profit growth and significant results.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a raw material manager are more likely to require skills like "qa," "fda," "gmp," and "quality issues." On the other hand, a job as a director, procurement requires skills like "supplier performance," "continuous improvement," "customer service," and "lean manufacturing." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Directors, procurement really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $148,169. Comparatively, raw material managers tend to make the most money in the finance industry with an average salary of $124,765.directors, procurement tend to reach higher levels of education than raw material managers. In fact, directors, procurement are 10.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Raw material manager vs. 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. They must also liaise and negotiate with vendors and suppliers, building positive relationships with them. Furthermore, as a procurement officer, it is essential to lead the procurement team, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that raw material manager responsibilities requires skills like "qa," "fda," "gmp," and "quality issues." But a procurement officer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "purchase orders," "purchase requisitions," "contract management," and "procurement procedures."
Procurement officers may earn a lower salary than raw material managers, but procurement officers earn the most pay in the retail industry with an average salary of $74,267. On the other hand, raw material managers receive higher pay in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $124,765.In general, procurement officers achieve similar levels of education than raw material managers. They're 2.4% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Raw material manager vs. Supply officer
A director of purchasing oversees the procedures related to buying resources and supplies, directing operations from planning to execution while adhering to standards and company policies. They primarily perform research and assessments to understand project needs in terms of price, quality, and delivery time. They also identify ideal suppliers, negotiate deals, and build positive business relationships. Additionally, a director of purchasing has the authority to make significant decisions, delegate responsibilities among staff, oversee employment procedures within the department, and solve issues and concerns when any arise.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a raw material manager is likely to be skilled in "qa," "fda," "gmp," and "commodities," while a typical supply officer is skilled in "logistics support," "financial management," "food service," and "property accountability."
When it comes to education, supply officers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to raw material managers. In fact, they're 1.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.9% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Raw material manager vs. Director of purchasing
Types of raw material manager
Updated January 8, 2025
