____________________

Position Overview

The Manager II, Materials is responsible for leading all materials management activities supporting the Stearns Product Value Stream. This role oversees production planning, purchasing, inventory management, supplier performance, and logistics operations for more than $40 million in annual spend. The Manager II, Materials develops and executes supply chain strategies that optimize quality, cost, and delivery while supporting business growth, operational excellence, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Supply Chain, Procurement & Cost Management

• Develop and execute strategic supply chain plans to achieve business unit objectives and optimize purchasing spend exceeding $40 million annually.

• Lead purchasing activities, supplier selection, contract negotiations, and sourcing strategies to maximize operating profit and total cost of ownership.

• Develop and maintain material cost savings pipelines and drive approved cost-reduction projects through completion.

• Evaluate and recommend make-versus-buy decisions.

• Negotiate MRO agreements and support major capital purchasing initiatives.

• Participate in enterprise-wide and global supply chain projects as required.

Supplier Management & Sourcing Excellence

• Conduct market research, demand analysis, supplier evaluations, and annual supplier performance reviews.

• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships while implementing supplier development plans when necessary.

• Manage supplier performance through scorecards and key performance metrics.

Materials Planning, Operations & Continuous Improvement

• Execute production planning to support schedule adherence, material availability, and business objectives.

• Establish, monitor, and report weekly, quarterly, and annual materials goals aligned with business objectives.

• Utilize value stream mapping, Kanban systems, and lean manufacturing principles to streamline processes and reduce inventory.

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives within the materials function.

• Participate in Sales, Inventory, and Operations Planning (SIOP) activities.

• Maintain effective follow-up systems to ensure schedule adherence and material availability.

• Support safe, efficient, and compliant operations while maintaining high service levels.

Product Lifecycle & Cross-Functional Business Support

• Support new product development initiatives and engineering change notification (ECN) processes related to purchased materials.

• Support product lifecycle management and analysis activities.

• Collaborate with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Finance, Customer Service, and Management teams to support business objectives.

Leadership & Team Development

• Directly supervise and develop the materials team, including Materials Planners, Buyers, Production Schedulers, and Expeditors. Oversee a Production Supervisor or Purchasing Manager who will supervise the Magstop and Mobile Power value streams.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Management, Business, Finance, Engineering, or a related field.

• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in a Materials Manager role.

• Strong knowledge of strategic sourcing methodologies and supply chain management principles.

• Proven negotiation skills, including experience with commercial terms, contracts, and supplier agreements.

• Experience managing purchasing, inventory control, and supplier performance in a manufacturing environment.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.

• Ability to analyze market trends, supplier performance, and operational data to drive business decisions.

• Experience managing total cost of ownership (TCO) initiatives and cost-reduction programs.

• Effective leadership and team management skills with the ability to supervise and develop direct reports.

• Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to interact effectively with employees, customers, suppliers, and leadership teams.

• Knowledge of contract management and risk identification within supplier agreements.

• Travel up to 15% as required.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Experience with MRP systems, particularly SAP.

• Experience implementing and managing Kanban inventory systems.

• Experience utilizing lean manufacturing principles, value stream mapping, and continuous improvement methodologies.

• Experience managing suppliers of large tonnage stampings, copper and aluminum wire, and ball bearings.

• Experience supporting SIOP processes within a manufacturing environment.

• Background in supplier development, supplier performance management, and supplier scorecard systems.

• Experience supporting new product introductions and engineering change management processes.

• Participation in multi-site or global supply chain projects.

• APICS, CPIM, CSCP, or other supply chain certifications are preferred but not required.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and peripheral vision.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is exposed to moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal.

Restrictions imposed by federal export control laws may limit this job opportunity to candidates who are a U.S. Person, which includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. permanent residents, individuals granted asylum in the United States, and refugees in the United States, or who otherwise can qualify for a license that permits them to hold the position.

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Prescription Drug Coverage
• Spending accounts (HSA, Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA)
• Paid Time Off and Holidays
• 401k Retirement Plan with Matching Employer Contributions
• Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Paid Leaves
• Tuition Assistance