MATERIALS MANAGERAbout the Role:The Materials Manager leads plant materials planning, inventory control, production scheduling, and material flow to support safe, efficient, and uninterrupted operations. This role develops and executes the plant material plan, manages supplier and customer requirements in a Just-in-Time environment, maintains inventory accuracy, and ensures materials are available to meet production and delivery commitments. The Materials Manager also leads the local materials team, strengthens supply chain processes, and drives continuous improvement across receiving, storage, production, and shipping activities.
What You Will Do:- Lead materials planning, production scheduling, inventory control, and replenishment to support customer and plant requirements.
- Manage material releases and flow in a Just-in-Time environment to balance production demand, supplier capacity, inventory targets, and customer schedules.
- Monitor supplier, warehouse, production, and customer material flow; identify risks early and drive recovery plans to prevent disruption.
- Maintain accurate inventory and planning data within ERP, MRP, customer, and container management systems, including QAD MfgPro where applicable.
- Develop and maintain the Plan for Every Part, including replenishment, packaging, storage, delivery frequency, inventory parameters, and material presentation.
- Partner with Purchasing, suppliers, customers, and plant teams to resolve issues affecting material availability, receiving, shipping, storage, packaging, containers, and line-side delivery.
- Analyze bills of material, part specifications, planning parameters, inventory transactions, and system data to identify and correct issues impacting production or inventory accuracy.
- Coordinate material actions related to engineering changes, product launches, obsolescence, supplier releases, packaging, timing, and premium freight reduction.
- Improve material flow, space utilization, safety, and operational performance through layout optimization, standard work, and process improvements.
- Ensure supply chain policies, procedures, work instructions, and documentation are current, controlled, communicated, and consistently followed.
- Set team goals, monitor performance, coach team members, and support cross-functional partners with materials expertise.
- Lead or support continuous improvement and Kata initiatives while promoting safe work practices and compliance with safety, quality, customer, and regulatory requirements.
What You Need To Be Successful:- 7+ years of progressive materials management, production control, inventory control, logistics, or supply chain experience in automotive or high-volume manufacturing.
- Demonstrated leadership experience directing materials planning, scheduling, inventory, shipping, receiving, warehousing, or related plant functions.
- Proficiency with material control, ERP, and MRP systems, including QAD MfgPro where applicable, customer-specific MRP systems, and container management systems.
- Strong knowledge of material flow, plant layouts, packaging, containerization, inventory management, replenishment, and Just-in-Time principles.
- Ability to analyze production requirements and develop supporting material systems, planning parameters, controls, and business processes.
- Knowledge of IATF 16949 and applicable customer-specific requirements.
- Ability to analyze and reconcile inventory records, system transactions, accounts, and variances.
- Strong organization, prioritization, problem-solving, and continuous improvement skills in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate with team members, leaders, customers, and suppliers.
- Strong customer focus, sound judgment, tact, and an appropriate sense of urgency.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and improvement initiatives simultaneously.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and spreadsheet-based data analysis.
Bonus Points If You Have:- APICS certification, such as CPIM or CSCP.
- Experience with Plan for Every Part, premium freight reduction, directed-buy processes, engineering change control, product launches, and customer-specific material systems.
- Experience leading Lean, continuous improvement, or Kata initiatives in manufacturing.
Education:- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Materials Management, Business Administration, Finance, Operations Management, or related field.
- An equivalent combination of education and directly relevant experience may be considered.
Travel:- Travel to the customer, supplier, and company locations is required based on business and program needs. Travel frequency may vary by assignment.
What We Offer:We believe our team members are our greatest investment, which is why we offer a competitive total rewards package designed to support you at every stage of your career and life. Our benefits may include comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage, retirement savings programs with employer contributions, tuition reimbursement, paid time off and holidays, employee assistance resources, and additional wellness programs and benefits designed to support your health, financial well-being, professional growth, and overall quality of life.
