Senior Materials Manager

Senior Materials Manager

Howmet Fastening Systems (HFS) is seeking Senior Materials Manager in our Fullerton, CA location.

The Sr. Planning Manager is responsible for leading end-to-end planning activities across the manufacturing value chain, including raw material procurement planning, production scheduling, and shipping coordination. This role ensures alignment between customer demand, operational capacity, and supply chain execution in a complex manufacturing environment.

This position plays a critical role in managing customer expectations, reducing past due orders and backlog, and driving operational excellence through effective planning strategies, cross-functional collaboration, and data-driven decision-making.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for maintaining manufacturing planning parameters and process groups, providing accurate lead times to Sales and Customer Service, ensuring effective use of ERP systems, and overseeing inventory availability.
• Lead integrated planning across raw materials, production, and shipping to ensure on-time delivery and optimized inventory levels.
• Develop and execute production plans aligned with customer demand, plant capacity, and material availability.
• Manage and reduce backlog and past due orders through proactive planning and cross-functional coordination.
• Collaborate closely with Procurement, Operations, Quality, Customer Service and Shipping & Receiving to ensure alignment and execution of priorities.
• Interface directly with customers to manage expectations, communicate constraints, and resolve critical demand issues.
• Analyze demand forecasts and adjust planning strategies to mitigate risks and ensure continuity of supply.
• Drive improvements in planning accuracy, scheduling efficiency, and overall supply chain performance.
• Identify and resolve bottlenecks across Bar, Wire, and Sheet Metal operations.
• Ensure effective use of planning systems (e.g., ERP/MRP such as QAD) and maintain data integrity.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on operational flow, capacity utilization, and service levels.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and company policies, including the Howmet Guide to Business Conduct.
• Demonstrate a knowledge of, and commitment to, HFS manufacturing principles and techniques.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of planners, schedulers and parts movers to deliver excellent performance in a fast-paced work environment.
• Set clear performance expectations and provide ongoing coaching and feedback, helping the team with their priorities and supporting them to facilitate the execution and deliverables.
• Drive accountability and foster a high, results-oriented culture.
• Support talent development and succession planning within the team.
• Build an engagement, committed team guided by company values, mission and vision.
• Ensure compliance with federal state, and local employment laws, as well as company policies, fostering a fair and respectful work environment

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree from accredited institution
• Proficient with computer systems and programs (MS-Word, MS-Excel, MS-PowerPoint, querying databases, ERP systems. etc.)
• Proven experience managing complex supply chains and high-mix, high-volume production environments
• Demonstrated ability to manage customer demands, backlog, and delivery performance
• 7+ years of experience in planning, supply chain, or operations within manufacturing environment with complexity and fast-paced process.
• Employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain, engineering, business, or related field, preferably with APICS certification (CPIM, CSCP)
• Experience in aerospace and/or automotive manufacturing preferred
• Experience working with Fastening processes (Bar, Wire and/or Sheet Metal) process is a strong plus
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus
• Experience in lean manufacturing or continuous improvement methodologies is a plus

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms.
• Frequently required to stand and sit.
• Occasionally required to walk and talk or hear.
• Occasionally lifts and/or moves up to 30 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate; however, it may be occasionally loud enough where hearing protection is required.
• Work hours typically 5 days per week, 8 hours per day. Additional hours may be required based on business needs and operational demands.

Benefits/Salary:

The position includes competitive wages and a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance (medical, dental, vision), excellent 401k matching program, paid holidays and vacation. Howmet Aerospace curates a strong working environment through opportunities for career progression, community engagement activities, and flexible schedules contingent upon role and location. The salary range for this position is $130k to $180k.