Materials management is concerned with management functions supporting the complete cycle of material flow, from the purchase and internal control of production materials to planning and control of work in process, to warehousing, shipping and distribution of the finished product. An effective materials management process ensures that the right kinds of materials are at the right place whenever needed.
Materials management is concerned with planning, directing and controlling the kind, amount, location, movement and timing of various flows of materials used in and produced by the process.