Director of Materials

We are looking for a Director of Materials.  The Director of Materials will report to the Vice President of Manufacturing Operations and will be responsible for the group of functions that support the complete cycle of material flow for both the consumables (reagent) and instrument sides of our business. Responsibilities include production scheduling, purchasing, shipping/receiving, warehousing, inventory management and vendor qualification and management.

 

Responsibilities

 Production SchedulingSchedule the production of reagents and instrumentation to meet demand.Establish metrics to determine the Manufacturing organization’s success in meeting demand.

 PurchasingDirect all aspects of company-wide buying and planning processes to support Manufacturing operations, internal R&D, and G&A functions.For Manufacturing Operations, develop and maintain demand-based purchasing processes and supplier processes to optimally support targets and forecasts.Develop and execute strategies to improve supplier quality, cost and delivery performance. Establish metrics for same and ensure supplier performance to targets through daily management, periodic audits and proper qualification of new vendors.Develop and maintain contractual supply agreements with critical suppliers.Facilitate timely and complete two-way communication as a key liaison between various internal groups and outside suppliers on purchasing related projects and activities, and for establishing and implementing corrective actions.

 Shipping and Receiving Serve as the primary interface with domestic and international distribution partners. Establish systems to ensure timely and accurate receipt/shipments of international deliveries and shipments.

 Warehousing and Inventory ControlEstablish systems to ensure accurate warehousing, handling and staging of raw materials for production.Manage inventory levels to targets consistent with corporate goals.Establish systems to improve cycle count accuracy and reduce inventory errors.

 GeneralDevelop, monitor and document Materials performance relative to goals via quantitative, monthly reportsDevelop, implement and maintain policies, procedures and infrastructure as they relate to purchasing and inventory management to support customer demand and a high level of customer satisfaction.Establish continuous improvement initiatives related to supplier management, purchasing, and inventory management.Builds and maintains a team of engaged employees through training, development, feedback and formal reviews. Responsible for developing and enforcing policies and procedures ensuring the safety of the materials department.

 

 

Experience and Knowledge

 

The ideal candidate will possess proven analytical, interpersonal, communication, organizational, and management skills. The position requires a deep understanding of the Purchasing and Materials needs of a worldwide organization manufacturing a complex, reagent-oriented life-sciences product within a GMP environment.

 

The ideal candidate will display abilities which include building and maintaining purchasing infrastructure, establishing policies, establishing project plans, and meeting deadlines within a compliant environment.

 

The successful candidate will be a results oriented self-starter with exceptional quality of work, detail oriented, and ability to develop and execute in a dynamic environment.

 

In addition, the ideal candidate will:Appropriately perform as team facilitator, team lead, or team participant depending on the situation.  Work effectively with people in other groups and companies. Effectively communicate up, down, and across the organization.  Ensure alignment of group goals with department and company goals.Minimum Requirements· Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (chemistry, chemical engineering, molecular biology)· A proven track record of scaling a materials organization and managing key supplier relationships within a fast-growing, entrepreneurial and international life sciences company· A minimum of 10 years of Industry related experience with 7 years of management experience.· In-depth knowledge of quality and regulatory system requirements for regulated (ASR, IVD) life sciences products is highly desirable.