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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Materials Control Associate

💰 $45,000 - $65,000

Supply ChainLogisticsManufacturingInventory ManagementOperations

🎯 Role Definition

The Materials Control Associate is the backbone of the production and supply chain process. This role is fundamentally about ensuring that the right materials, in the right quantity, are in the right place at the right time. You are the guardian of inventory accuracy and material availability, directly impacting an organization's ability to meet its production goals and customer commitments without interruption. This position involves a dynamic blend of hands-on inventory management, data analysis within systems like ERP/MRP, and cross-functional collaboration with teams such as purchasing, production, and logistics. A successful Materials Control Associate is meticulous, proactive, and a critical thinker who thrives on solving the logistical puzzles that keep a business moving forward.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Warehouse Associate or Clerk
  • Production Operator
  • Shipping & Receiving Coordinator

Advancement To:

  • Materials Planner / Inventory Planner
  • Senior Materials Control Specialist / Inventory Analyst
  • Supply Chain Coordinator or Analyst

Lateral Moves:

  • Purchasing Assistant / Junior Buyer
  • Logistics Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Inventory Monitoring: Proactively monitor inventory levels of raw materials, components, and sub-assemblies to ensure they align with production schedules and demand forecasts.
  • Cycle Counting & Reconciliation: Plan and execute a regular cycle counting program and periodic physical inventories to maintain high levels of inventory accuracy, investigating and resolving discrepancies as they arise.
  • Material Kitting & Staging: Prepare and issue material kits to the production floor based on work orders, ensuring all components are accurate and available to support manufacturing start times.
  • MRP/ERP System Management: Maintain meticulous records within the Material Requirements Planning (MRP) or Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, including transactions, receipts, issues, and adjustments.
  • Shortage Reporting & Resolution: Identify potential material shortages, communicate risks to Production Planners and Purchasing, and actively participate in expediting critical components to prevent line-down situations.
  • Receiving & Putaway Coordination: Collaborate with the receiving department to ensure incoming materials are accurately verified against purchase orders, inspected, and promptly put away in designated storage locations.
  • Non-Conforming Material Management: Manage the quarantine, documentation, and disposition of non-conforming, damaged, or obsolete materials according to quality control procedures and company policy.
  • BOM Audits: Assist engineering and production teams by performing audits on Bills of Material (BOMs) to ensure they accurately reflect the components used in manufacturing.
  • Supplier Communication: Act as a point of contact for tracking inbound shipments, confirming delivery dates, and communicating any receiving discrepancies back to the purchasing team and suppliers.
  • Data Analysis & Reporting: Generate and analyze inventory reports on topics such as inventory turns, slow-moving stock, and stockout frequency to support data-driven decision-making.
  • Material Requisition Fulfillment: Process material requisitions from various departments, ensuring timely and accurate fulfillment while tracking the allocation of stock.
  • Kanban & JIT System Support: Maintain and manage visual inventory systems like Kanban or support Just-In-Time (JIT) delivery schedules by closely monitoring consumption and signaling replenishment needs.
  • Logistical Coordination: Coordinate the movement of materials between stockrooms, production floors, and external warehouses to optimize space and efficiency.
  • ECO Implementation Support: Support the implementation of Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) by managing the transition of old parts to new parts, minimizing scrap and obsolescence.
  • Inbound Shipment Verification: Meticulously verify quantities and part numbers of incoming materials, logging receipts and escalating any deviations from the purchase order immediately.
  • Excess & Obsolete (E&O) Analysis: Regularly review inventory for excess and obsolete items, preparing data and recommendations for disposition to mitigate financial loss.
  • Return to Vendor (RTV) Processing: Coordinate and process the return of defective or incorrect materials to suppliers, ensuring proper documentation and credit is received.
  • Safety & Housekeeping: Maintain a clean, safe, and organized stockroom or warehouse environment, adhering to all safety protocols including proper material handling and storage.
  • Process Improvement: Actively participate in continuous improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing inventory accuracy, reducing waste, and improving material flow efficiency.
  • Work Order Management: Close-out completed work orders in the ERP system, ensuring all material consumption has been accurately recorded and any unused materials are returned to stock.

Secondary Functions

  • Support internal and external audits by providing accurate inventory records and process documentation.
  • Assist in training new team members on inventory control procedures and system usage.
  • Collaborate with the logistics team to optimize warehouse layout and bin locations for improved picking efficiency.
  • Participate in cross-functional team meetings to represent the materials control function and provide status updates.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • ERP/MRP Proficiency: Hands-on experience with enterprise systems like SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, or similar platforms for inventory transactions.
  • Advanced Microsoft Excel: Ability to use functions like VLOOKUP, SUMIF, pivot tables, and charts to analyze and report on inventory data.
  • Inventory Management Software: Familiarity with dedicated inventory control or Warehouse Management Systems (WMS).
  • Cycle Counting Methodologies: Deep understanding of A-B-C analysis and the principles behind effective cycle counting programs.
  • Bill of Materials (BOM) Acumen: Ability to read and interpret BOMs and understand their impact on material requirements.
  • Data Analysis & Reporting: Skill in extracting data from systems to create clear, actionable reports on inventory metrics.
  • Supply Chain Principles: Solid foundational knowledge of supply chain and materials management concepts.
  • Material Handling Equipment: Knowledge of or certification to operate basic material handling equipment (e.g., pallet jacks, forklifts) is often required.
  • Barcode & RFID Technology: Experience using scanners and understanding how RF technology works within a warehouse environment.
  • Kanban/JIT Systems: Understanding of lean manufacturing principles and how to manage visual inventory systems.

Soft Skills

  • Meticulous Attention to Detail: Absolutely critical for maintaining high data and physical inventory accuracy.
  • Strong Problem-Solving Skills: The ability to investigate discrepancies, identify root causes, and implement effective solutions.
  • Excellent Organizational Skills: Capable of managing multiple tasks, priorities, and a large volume of parts and data simultaneously.
  • Clear Communication: Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with colleagues, supervisors, and other departments.
  • Collaborative Team Player: Works well within a team and across functions to achieve common goals.
  • Time Management & Prioritization: Skillfully balances routine tasks with urgent requests to keep operations running smoothly.
  • Proactive & Self-Motivated: Takes initiative to identify potential issues before they become problems.
  • Adaptability: Thrives in a fast-paced environment where priorities can shift quickly.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate's or Bachelor's degree.
  • Professional certification (e.g., APICS CPIM - Certified in Planning and Inventory Management).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Logistics
  • Business Administration
  • Operations Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2-5 years of direct experience in inventory control, materials management, or a related role within a manufacturing or distribution environment.

Preferred: Experience in a specific industry (e.g., electronics, automotive, pharmaceuticals) can be highly advantageous due to unique material handling and tracking requirements.

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