Materials Manager

Xylem is a Fortune 500 global water solutions company dedicated to advancing sustainable impact and empowering the people who make water work every day. As a leading water technology company with 23,000 employees operating in over 150 countries, Xylem is at the forefront of addressing the world's most critical water challenges. We invite passionate individuals to join our team, dedicated to exceeding customer expectations through innovative and sustainable solutions.

At Xylem, we are united by a shared purpose: solving the world's most critical water challenges through innovation, technology, and sustainability. The Materials Manager plays a vital leadership role in ensuring the seamless flow of materials, services, and inventory that support manufacturing operations and customer commitments.

This Materials Manager position is responsible for leading procurement, materials management, warehousing, logistics, and inventory control activities to achieve operational excellence across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and inventory performance. The Materials Manager develops sourcing strategies, strengthens supplier partnerships, drives continuous improvement initiatives, and leads teams that ensure materials are available at the right time, in the right quantity, and at the best value.

Working cross-functionally with Operations, Engineering, Planning, Finance, Quality, and Global Procurement teams, this role directly supports Xylem's mission by building a resilient, efficient, and sustainable supply chain that enables the delivery of innovative water technologies to customers around the world.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead procurement, materials management, inventory control, warehousing, and logistics operations to achieve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and customer service objectives while ensuring material availability and operational continuity.
• Develop and execute strategic sourcing and supplier management initiatives that optimize cost, improve supplier performance, mitigate supply chain risk, and support long-term business growth.
• Drive inventory and working capital performance through effective inventory planning, cycle count programs, Kanban, VMI, consignment, and other inventory optimization strategies.
• Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Engineering, Production Planning, Finance, and Global Procurement to support production requirements, new product introductions, engineering changes, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Monitor and analyze key performance metrics including supplier performance, inventory accuracy, inventory turns, on-time delivery, and cost savings, implementing corrective actions and sustainable process improvements as needed.
• Build, develop, and lead high-performing teams while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, safety, continuous improvement, employee engagement, and community involvement through Xylem Watermark initiatives.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Finance, Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in materials management, procurement, supply chain, manufacturing, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of leadership, supervisory, or people management experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing procurement, inventory control, warehouse operations, and supplier performance programs.
• Proven success leading cost reduction initiatives and continuous improvement projects.

Technical Expertise

• Strong knowledge of supply chain management, sourcing strategies, inventory planning, warehousing, and logistics operations.
• Experience utilizing ERP/MRP systems and inventory management tools.
• Familiarity with Kanban, Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI), consignment, cycle counting, and inventory optimization methodologies.
• Ability to analyze operational and financial data to drive business decisions and process improvements.

Critical Competencies

• Strategic sourcing and negotiation skills.
• Strong business acumen and financial awareness.
• Advanced problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to influence across functions and levels of the organization.
• Strong organizational, planning, and execution capabilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA or other advanced degree in a related field.
• APICS CPIM and/or CSCP certification.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification or higher.
• Experience managing unionized workforce environments.
• Experience supporting global supply chains and international suppliers.
• Knowledge of commodity market analysis and strategic risk management practices.
• Experience leading transformational supply chain or operational excellence initiatives.

Leadership & Behavioral Competencies

Collaboration

• Builds strong partnerships across functions and fosters teamwork to achieve shared business objectives.

Customer Focus

• Ensures supply chain decisions support customer commitments, quality expectations, and business performance.

Innovation

• Drives new ideas, process improvements, and data-driven solutions that enhance operational effectiveness.

Accountability

• Takes ownership of performance outcomes and delivers results through disciplined execution.

Continuous Improvement

• Champions Lean principles and identifies opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and optimize resources.

Inclusion & Belonging

• Creates an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are valued and all employees can contribute and grow.

Leadership & Team Development

• Coaches and develops teams through empowerment, performance management, succession planning, and professional development.

Working Conditions / Travel Requirements

• Primarily based within a manufacturing and warehouse environment.
• Regular interaction with suppliers, operations teams, and cross-functional business partners.
• Ability to walk production and warehouse areas and occasionally lift or move materials as required.
• Travel may be required periodically to supplier locations, Xylem facilities, and business meetings (approximately 10-20%).
• Must comply with all safety policies, procedures, and training requirements.

The estimated salary range for this position is $120,000 to 130,000 plus bonus. Starting pay is dependent on multiple factors, such as skills, experience, and work location, and is not typically at the top of the range.

Join the global Xylem team to be a part of innovative technology solutions transforming water usage, conservation, and re-use. Our products impact public utilities, industrial sectors, residential areas, and commercial buildings, with a commitment to providing smart metering, network technologies, and advanced analytics for water, electric, and gas utilities. Partner with us in creating a world where water challenges are met with ingenuity and dedication; where we recognize the power of inclusion and belonging in driving innovation and allowing us to compete more effectively around the world.

At Xylem, you'll not only contribute to solving water issues but also have the chance to make a difference through our paid Volunteer Program, Xylem Watermark. We prioritize our employees' well-being through inclusion and belonging as well as our Employee Resource Groups (ERG). Proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (including disability and veterans) and Affirmative Action workplace, Xylem fosters an inclusive environment free from discrimination or harassment.

Please note that the information in this job description outlines the general nature of the position and is not an exhaustive list of duties. Xylem is dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to enable all employees to perform their essential job functions. We reserve the right to modify this job description and assign additional duties as needed. Embrace the opportunity to be part of Xylem's transformative journey in shaping the future of water technology! #XylemCareers #GlobalImpact #WaterInnovation