Distribution Materials Manager at Xylem in Bridgeport, CT

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.

We are seeking a Distribution Material Manager to oversee and guide the planning team responsible for the Dewatering Distribution operations. This leader will ensure optimal product availability, healthy inventory levels, and strong cross‑functional alignment across procurement, operations, materials, and distribution teams. The ideal candidate will combine hands‑on planning expertise with the ability to coach a team, drive process improvements, and elevate overall supply chain performance.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team material specialists, ensuring clarity of priorities, workload balance, and continuous skill development.
• Set performance expectations, monitor KPIs, and provide regular coaching and feedback.
• Foster a collaborative, high‑accountability environment focused on service, accuracy, and proactive problem‑solving.

Supply Planning Oversight

• Oversee the team’s use of Distribution Requirements Planning (DRP) to create and manage replenishment schedules for distribution centers and service branches.
• Utilize Distribution Requirements Planning (DRP) to create and manage replenishment schedules…”
• Ensure supply plans align with operational priorities, capacity constraints, and service level goals.
• Guide the establishment of safety stock levels and reorder points tailored to demand patterns and lead times.
• Establish safety stock levels and reorder points tailored to demand patterns and lead times…”

Cross‑Functional Alignment

• Serve as the primary liaison between supply planning and procurement, materials, operations, and distribution teams.
• Ensure timely communication of vendor updates, inventory risks, and supply constraints.
• Communicate with service teams, distribution teams and material teams as needed regarding vendor updates and inventory availability.”
• Lead cross‑functional reviews to align supply plans with business priorities and mitigate risks.

Risk Management & Issue Resolution

• Oversee the team’s response to supply disruptions, supplier delays, transportation issues, or unexpected demand spikes.
• Proactively manage risks such as supplier delays, transportation disruptions, or unexpected demand spikes.”
• Develop and implement contingency plans to maintain supply continuity and protect service levels.
• Monitor and address risks of overstock, understock, and obsolescence across the network.

Performance Management & Analytics

• Track and report on key metrics including fill rates, service levels, inventory turnover, and slow‑moving stock.
• Track fill rates, service levels, inventory turnover, and slow-moving stock trends.”
• Provide data‑driven insights to senior leadership to support strategic decision‑making.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives leveraging Lean, Six Sigma, or other methodologies.

Supplier & Forecast Collaboration

• Ensure accurate and timely demand forecasts are shared with suppliers to reduce lead‑time variability.
• Share demand forecasts to improve supplier collaboration and reduce variability in lead times.”
• Partner with procurement to ensure timely replenishment and supplier performance alignment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Operations, or a related field.
• 3–5+ years of experience in supply planning, inventory management, or related functions; prior leadership or mentoring experience preferred.
• Proficiency with DRP/MRP systems, including tools such as GIM.
• Experience with SAP S4 Hana strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of inventory management principles and best practices.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence across diverse teams.
• Advanced analytical skills with tools such as Excel, Power BI, or similar platforms.
• Knowledge of Lean or Six Sigma methodologies is a plus.

The estimated salary range for this position is $105,000 to $115,000 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.  At Xylem we offer a competitive compensation package with a generous benefit package, including Medical, Dental, Vision plans, 401(k) with company contribution, paid time off, paid parental leave and tuition reimbursement. 

Xylem does not provide visa sponsorship for this position.

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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.