Snr Material Manager

Group/Division KLA has manufacturing sites worldwide. The Global Operations (GOPS) team, comprised of Manufacturing, Supply Chain Management, Manufacturing Engineering, Installation and Quality, builds our leading-edge technology. GOPS partners with KLA's global supply base and design engineering teams to develop new products, working continuously to build better, faster and more cost-efficient solutions.

The Senior Material Manager at KLA Corporation will lead and optimize global material planning, procurement, and inventory management strategies to ensure timely and cost-effective supply chain operations in support of manufacturing and customer fulfillment. This role involves strategic leadership, process improvement, and cross-functional collaboration to achieve operational excellence and meet business objectives.

• Develop and implement strategic material plans, forecasts, and inventory control policies to align with production schedules, customer demand, and financial targets.
• Manage and optimize inventory levels across multiple sites, focusing on reducing carrying costs while ensuring material availability and minimizing stock-outs.
• Lead and mentor a team of material planners and buyers, fostering their professional development and ensuring high performance.
• Collaborate closely with R&D, Engineering, Manufacturing, Sales, and Finance departments to ensure seamless material flow and support new product introductions.
• Identify, evaluate, and qualify new suppliers, negotiate contracts, and manage supplier relationships to optimize cost, quality, and delivery performance.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives in material management processes, tools, and systems, leveraging best practices and data analytics.
• Monitor and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) related to material management, providing regular reports and actionable insights to senior leadership.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations, company policies, and ethical standards in procurement and supply chain activities.
• Manage obsolescence and end-of-life material strategies to minimize financial impact.
• Lead efforts in demand planning and sales and operations planning (S&OP) processes.
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 8-10 years of progressive experience in material management, supply chain, or procurement, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership or senior role, preferably within a high-tech manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of ERP systems e.g., SAP, and advanced planning systems.
• Proven expertise in inventory management techniques (e.g., JIT, VMI, consignment) and demand forecasting methodologies.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop high-performing teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a data-driven approach to decision-making.
• Certifications such as CPIM, CSCP, or PMP are highly desirable.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel, for data analysis and reporting.
• Experience with global supply chain operations and managing international suppliers.

…