Senior Materials Manager (d/m/w)

In this role you will lead the Materials Management function and the SIOP process at the Lübeck site, ensuring reliable material flow and optimized inventory. You will partner with Production, Quality, EHS, HR, Finance, and R&D to drive availability, delivery, and efficiency while advancing supply chain processes and standards. You will shape end-to-end operations, KPI-driven improvements, and cross-functional collaboration in a hands-on, entrepreneurial leadership style. This role offers influence across manufacturing, planning, and logistics in a global photonics business.

• Take overall responsibility for planning, management and continuous optimisation of all materials management processes
• Manage resources, capacity and priorities to control delivery performance, inventory, lead times and costs
• Ensure material availability and stable supply to Production
• Own and lead the SIOP process for the Lübeck site, linking demand, inventory, capacity and production
• Collaborate with Production, Quality, EHS, HR, Finance, R&D/NPI and global stakeholders to develop end-to-end processes
• Analyze and optimise inventory, forecasting and SIOP/IBP to improve performance and visibility
• Develop and manage KPI frameworks to identify issues and drive actions
• Continuously improve supply chain processes, systems and standards
• Promote Lean and Six Sigma and cross-functional collaboration
• Ensure compliance with Quality, EHS and regulatory requirements; support audits and manage supply chain risks
• Lead and develop Materials Management organisation (Purchasing & Planning, Warehouse, Logistics, Order Fulfilment)
• Workforce planning, objective setting, performance management and development
• Lead strategic optimisation projects including Make-or-Buy with planning, risk management and implementation

• Extensive leadership experience in Manufacturing Engineering, Production or Operations
• Strong understanding of materials management and end-to-end information flow between Planning, Purchasing, Logistics, Warehouse, Order Fulfilment and Production
• Experience with SIOP/IBP, forecasting and inventory management
• Proven ability to drive performance through KPIs and data analytics
• In-depth knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methods
• Experience with equipment technology, maintenance and operational processes
• Experience leading managers and multidisciplinary teams
• Change management and process improvement experience
• C1-level English

• Cross-functional leadership
• Strategic thinking with hands-on execution
• Data-driven decision making
• SIOP/IBP
• Forecasting and inventory management
• KPIs and data analytics