Materials Manager

Company Description

Our purpose is to make a difference in the world by reducing carbon emissions and improving access to clean energy with every module we make.

At Silfab Solar, the energy of our people is the power behind our success. Our employees actively shape the solar innovations of tomorrow, while adhering to the highest ethical operating standards and promoting a respectful and safe workplace for our diverse workforce.

Silfab Solar is the North American leader in the design, development, and manufacture of high-efficiency, premium quality solar cells and solar modules. Silfab leverages more than 40 years of solar experience and best-in-class technologies operating state-of-the-art facilities in Burlington, Washington, Fort Mill, South Carolina, and corporate headquarters in Toronto, Canada. Each operating facility features multiple automated production lines, certified to the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System standard, and just-in-time manufacturing to deliver Buy American approved PV modules specifically designed for and dedicated to the North American market.

We are committed to investing in our employees, providing a dynamic and supportive environment for learning and professional growth. We offer competitive pay, generous benefits, and opportunities for advancement, but more importantly, we offer you the ability to make a real difference in the world.

Job Description

The Materials Manager is responsible for leading strategic inventory optimization and materials flow at our Fort Mill, South Carolina facility. Reporting to the Global Supply Chain Director, this role ensures cost-effective, agile operations in a high-volume manufacturing environment. This role will drive alignment across SIOP/IBP processes, manage global supplier relationships and foster seamless collaboration between sales, production and logistics teams – all while advancing sustainability initiatives.  

Qualifications

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Strategic Inventory Management
   • Design and execute inventory strategies to maintain 98%+ service levels while minimizing carrying costs. Factor in supplier lead times (2 weeks production + 4–5 weeks transit/customs) and dynamic safety stock requirements.
   • Leverage best in class industry expertise, and manage in a high-SKU environments, component lifecycle challenges, and Just-in-Time (JIT) delivery frameworks for domestic vendors. Implement inventory analysis and techniques such as ABC analysis, demand variability modeling, and AI-driven forecasting tools.
   • Champion FIFO compliance and obsolescence reduction, particularly for time-sensitive components. Apply best practices, including Kanban systems, VMI (Vendor-Managed Inventory), and EOL (End-of-Life) planning.
   • Utilize ERP systems for real-time inventory tracking and analytics.
   • Responsible for end-to-end material management of all materials at all sites and locations.
2. Demand Planning & Cross-Functional Collaboration
   • Partner with Sales to translate forecasts (including promotional campaigns and new product launches) into actionable inventory plans, prioritizing fulfillment tiers (100%/90%/80%) based on margin and strategic accounts.
   • Lead day-to-day execution of SIOP including meetings, providing data-driven insights to align production schedules, procurement, and warehouse capacity.
   • Proactively communicate supply constraints (e.g., customs delays, material shortages) to Sales and Executive Leadership.
   • Development of KPIs to measure inventory performance, such as inventory turns, forecast accuracy, lead time improvement, etc.
3. Global Supplier & Materials Risk Management
   • Contribute to the negotiation of supplier contracts with emphasis on lead time reduction, MOQ flexibility, and sustainability criteria (e.g., carbon-neutral shipping, ethical sourcing).
   • Develop a resilient supplier network: Qualify alternate vendors, audit supplier performance, and implement contingency plans for geopolitical/logistical disruptions.
   • Coordinate with Compliance Teams to streamline customs processes and mitigate duty/tariff impacts.
4. End-to-End Materials Flow Optimization
   • Deploy PFEP (Plan for Every Part) methodology and Lean principles to reduce non-value-added handling.
   • Drive warehouse automation initiatives (e.g., RFID tracking, automated storage systems) to improve inventory accuracy and throughput.
   • Analyze SKU utilization to optimize storage layouts and implement JIT delivery where feasible and reducing handling/movement waste.
   • Provide lowest-cost material storage solutions.
5. Compliance & Continuous Improvement
   • Oversee annual audits and weekly cycle counts, maintaining >98% inventory accuracy.
   • Lead root-cause analysis for discrepancies and implement corrective workflows in a timely and professional manner.
   • Spearhead sustainability projects: Reduce material waste, promote recyclable packaging, and track carbon footprint metrics.
6. Leadership in IBP/SIOP Integration
   • Contribute to 18–60-month integrated business plans, aligning inventory strategies with financial goals and market expansion.
   • Mentor planners and foster a culture of data-driven decision-making.

Skills

• Advanced proficiency in ERP systems (SAP MM/EWM, Oracle SCM), Power BI/Tableau, and demand planning tools (Kinaxis, Blue Yonder).
• Expertise in statistical forecasting, safety stock modeling, and scenario planning.
• Familiarity with industry-specific standards (e.g., IATF 16949 for automotive, IPC-610 for electronics) and Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt+ preferred).
• Electronics/Automotive Focus: Experience with BOM (Bill of Materials) management for complex assemblies, component traceability, and counterfeit part prevention.

Traits

• Strong leadership across cross-cultural and cross-functional teams
• High attention to detail; thrives in precision-driven environments
• Excellent negotiation, presentation, and change management skills
• Resilient, adaptable, and proactive in fast-paced settings

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain management, Operations, Engineering, or related field (required).
• MBA or Master’s in Supply Chain; coursework in renewable energy systems or sustainability (preferred).
• 7–10 years in inventory/materials management, including 5+ years in automotive, semiconductor, or electronics manufacturing.
• Certification in APICS CPIM or CSCP.
• Experience with automotive-tiered supply chains, component obsolescence, semiconductor materials flow, or ERP/SIOP implementation (preferred).

Additional Information

Compensation and Benefits

• Annual bonus eligibility of up to 15% (of salary) dependent on company, department, and individual performance metrics
• Paid Time Off (vacation, sick, and holiday) 
• 401(k) Retirement Plan  
• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance Plans 
• Health Savings Account option  
• Supplemental/Voluntary Insurance Plans 
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Reimbursement Program  
• Employee Recognition Programs 
• Employee PV Panel Purchase Program