Material management involves planning, procurement, storage, and distribution of materials in a healthcare setting. It aims to ensure the right quality, quantity, and cost of supplies are available at the right time and place. Key aspects of material management include material planning through identification and forecasting of item needs, centralized or decentralized purchasing, inspection and quality control of incoming supplies, proper storage, inventory control, maintenance of supply records in an information system. The overall goal is efficient management of over 25-40% of healthcare expenditures spent on materials and supplies.