Materials Management

Materials Management is referred to that branch of management studies which deals with planning, acquiring storage, and facilitating movement of raw materials required for manufacturing a product and ensuring it reaches the customer. A large part of it logistics and supply chain activity.

This is a niche specialization of MBA offered by only selected institutes in India. The demand for Materials Management graduates are high and can open up myriad job options for them. Its demand is largest in manufacturing industry as materials management forms the backbone of the business in the said field.

The course aims to equip candidates with the latest skills for managing supply chain, logistics, delivery, storage, etc of raw materials and impart training for improving output. Materials Management is taught in MBA/PGDM as a specialization. The gateway to a Materials Management course is same as that of a MBA general degree. The candidate is required to appear in an entrance exam (national level or institute’s own), group discussion and personal interview. Some institutes accept candidates on merit only. 

• Minimum eligibility criteria to pursue Materials Management is Graduation with at least 50% marks in aggregate or equivalent in any stream from a recognized university
• For Reserved category students minimum cut off marks is usually 45% in aggregate
• Final year candidates or people with work experience are also eligible to apply for Materials Management
• Prerequisite for admission to this course is entrance exam score like CAT/XAT/MAT/CMAT, etc. However, some institutes induct students on merit only

Materials Management is the study of managing raw material, optimum production and delivery of the product to the customer. The course content includes aspects, of logistics, supply chain management, storage management, risk management etc. Take a look at the topics commonly taught in Materials Management course:

Job prospects are myriad in this field. Materials Management graduates are hired in various capacities mostly in private firms on lucrative pay packages.

Some of the job profiles are listed below:

Purchase Manager: the job of a purchase manager is to maintain purchase records of the raw material, equipment and supplies. They are also assigned the duty of prepare and process purchase requisitions, hire and manage the staff of the department.

Strategic Planner: A Strategic Planner’s responsibility is presenting strategies for clients, examine their business and understand their product to ensure production of the desired item.

Materials Analyst: A Material Analyst’s main job is to design supply movement plan for the company, manage transport, export and import, etc.

Supply Chain Manager: A Supply Chain Manager overlooks the entire process of the organisation’s supply chain.

Material Manager:  A Material Manager’s job responsibilities include ensuring material flow, quality control and maintaining inventories of  all transactions, procurement, planning, scheduling, cost, warehouse, receiving, and shipping, etc.

Commodity Manager: Commodity Manager maintains the record of commodity and plan strategy that supports company’s supply chain and controls cost.

Sourcing Manager: Sourcing Manager's role includes managing the company's supply portfolio, implement strategies for sourcing and category management effectively, analyze and calculate costs of procurement and find ways to cut cost.

Warehousing Manager: The Warehousing Manager’s main role is processing of transport of the product as per orders and liaising with buyers on daily basis. They are also required to train staff and delegate duties besides, maintaining records of budget and transactions at the warehouse.

Materials Management graduates are hired in large numbers in FMCG sector in various capacities. Companies hire skilled professionals who could ensure that manufacturing and distribution of the product takes place smoothly.

Some of the top companies who hire materials management graduates are: