Material Group Manager
- Valencia, CA
- $95,000-117,000 per year
- Permanent
- Full-time
Pay range: $94,000 - $118,000.00 with 10% VCC
Looking to start this person in September. Purpose of the JobThe Material Group Manager is responsible for developing and implementing sourcing strategies for a defined group of materials or components, ensuring alignment with business objectives such as cost optimization, innovation, and supply security. This role acts as the strategic interface between the supplier market and internal stakeholders, managing key supplier relationships and leading commercial negotiations. Additionally, the position serves as the lead purchaser in cross-functional project teams, supporting product development from concept to production. Through close collaboration with Engineering, Quality, and Program Management, the Material Group Manager ensures timely sourcing, cost transparency, and risk mitigation throughout the product lifecycle. The role is critical in driving long-term supplier performance, standardization, and competitive advantage within the assigned material group. Key Responsibilities
Strategic Sourcing & Category Management
- Develop and implement global sourcing strategies for assigned material groups in alignment with company goals and market dynamics.
- Conduct in-depth market analysis to identify sourcing opportunities, risks, cost drivers, and supplier trends.
- Drive standardization, supplier consolidation, and cost optimization across material categories.
- Identify, evaluate, and qualify potential suppliers with regard to cost, capability, technology, quality, and compliance.
- Lead supplier development initiatives, ensuring alignment with performance expectations, innovation goals, and sustainability standards.
- Establish and maintain strong supplier relationships, including regular performance reviews and strategic business development discussions.
- Serve as first level of escalation for Operational Buyer as needed
- Lead cost reduction initiatives through design-to-cost, should-cost analysis, value engineering, and total cost of ownership (TCO) strategies.
- Conduct benchmarking and price analysis to support negotiation strategies and cost transparency.
- Serve as the central point of contact for all strategic purchasing matters related to the material group.
- Partner with Engineering, R&D, Quality, and Manufacturing to align supplier capabilities with technical and operational needs.
- Communicate and support supplier process change notification (SPCN) to ensure no supply disruption and achieve cost-saving target in time.
- Support project sourcing activities for new product introductions, including risk assessments and supplier selection.
- Prepare and execute contract negotiations, including terms and conditions, pricing agreements, and service level expectations.
- Ensure adherence to corporate compliance and ethical standards in all supplier interactions.
- Provide guidance/clarification to Supply Chain Team, on commercial aspects of the active agreement with a supplier.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date data in procurement systems (e.g., ERP, supplier scorecards).
- Continuously improve procurement processes, tools, and reporting related to category performance and supplier strategy.
- Act as the primary purchasing contact for all projects within the assigned material group.
- Support product development teams from concept to series production by ensuring early supplier involvement and alignment with sourcing strategy.
- Manage project sourcing activities including RFQ preparation, supplier nomination, and facilitate order placement for prototypes and pre-series materials.
- Collaborate with Engineering, R&D, and Program Management to meet project milestones, cost targets, and technical requirements.
- Track and report project-related purchasing costs, lead times, and supplier risks.
- Ensure timely handover from project to series production with robust supply chain readiness.