Director, Materials Santa Ana

Posted Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 8:00 AM

The Director of Materials will join the dynamic Iteris team and help to manage a diverse array of products, processes and people to provide optimal forecasting, planning and procurement of a wide range of commodities from sheet metal and machined parts to electronic circuit board assemblies to complex outsourced assemblies. They will work closely with Sales, Marketing and Engineering to coordinate a master production schedule and then working with a team of supply chain professionals, see this through to individual component planning, supplier management and procurement execution.

Availability, inventory management and quality of supply will be a major focus as well as ensuring competitive pricing on all items.

• This role will manage the master schedule, the material planning function and the purchasing group
• Develop & Manage Master Production Schedules:
  Create, maintain, and execute master production plans and schedules to meet sales forecasts and customer needs
• Demand & Inventory Planning:
  Review forecasts, monitor inventory (raw materials & finished goods), and set safety stock levels to optimize costs and fulfillment. Perform root-cause analysis and implement viable, permanent solutions to materials related issues. Work with both internal and external customers to develop solutions which meet company-wide needs and objectives
• Cross-functional Collaboration:
  
  Work closely with Sales, Operations, Customer Service, Engineering, and Procurement to align production with business goals
• Monitor & Analyze:
  Track production progress, identify bottlenecks, and analyze data to improve workflow, accuracy, and performance
• Process Improvement:
  Implement best practices and leverage tools (ERP/MRP) to enhance supply chain efficiency and planning accuracy
• Strategic Planning:
  Develop and implement policies for procurement, inventory, and distribution to meet organizational objectives
• Sourcing & Procurement:
  Oversee purchasing, negotiate vendor contracts, and secure best value, quality, and service. Investigate and solve problems resulting from material shortages however caused. Establish and maintain purchasing practices, contracts, assessments and policies to insure honest, fair, and ethical relationships with our vendors. Keep informed on legal matters that affect purchasing policies
• Inventory Management:
  Optimize stock levels, minimize waste, prevent stockouts, and manage inventory systems (MRP/ERP)
• Supply Chain Optimization:
  Improve efficiency, reduce lead times, and manage logistics from supplier to end-user. Keep abreast of materials, markets and materials pricing trends that affect Company products
• Vendor Management:
  Build strong relationships with suppliers, monitor performance, and resolve issues. Responsible for continuing programs of exploration for new materials, suppliers, and processes to achieve the best possible quality, reliability, prices, continuity, and delivery, while working with design and manufacturing teams to help reduce our warranty costs

• BS, MBA preferred
• Progressive procurement experience with a track record of exceeding goals
• Over six (6) years experience in materials management
• Over ten (10) years experience managing teams of professionals
• Experience in total logistics systems management
• Strong interpersonal skills including teamwork
• Strong negotiating skills with knowledge of tactical and strategic purchasing
• Wide breadth of commodity knowledge
• Foreign language skills may be a plus
• Requires little supervision, handles routine matters on own initiative
• Some domestic travel expected to visit suppliers
• Strong work ethic and attitude that will inspire others
• Strong analytical, organizational, and multitasking abilities
• Proficiency in ERP/MRP systems, Oracle proficiency a plus
• Advanced skills at MS Office Suite (especially Excel), including pivot tables, vlookups, sumif, etc.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills
• Familiarity with production workflows and supply chain management

Iteris anticipates paying a base salary between $150,000 and $170,000 for this role. Actual pay…