Job Description:Senior Material Management SpecialistJob Summary:This role owns procurement and materials planning activities for assigned raw materials and purchased components, while coordinating with Logistics, Quality, Operations, and Finance to support material flow, documentation accuracy, inventory visibility, production continuity, inventory level optimization, and appropriate safety stock management. The Sr. Material Management Specialist is responsible for forecasting, procuring, and managing raw materials and purchased components required to support production at the Albuquerque Manufacturing Facility. This role oversees coil demand planning, purchasing, WIP inventory of stamped parts, vendor relationships, logistics coordination, quality support, and SAP material documentation while applying strong SAP EWM expertise with working knowledge of PP, WM, and MM processes. The position requires analytical, data-driven decision-making; strong supply chain and inventory optimization knowledge; effective vendor negotiation and relationship management; and the ability to support process improvement and change management efforts across cross-functional teams.
Key Responsibilities:- Coil Purchasing & Forecasting - Issue purchase orders to mills based on forecasted demand and production schedules.
- Inventory Optimization & Forecast Analysis - Compare coil and stamped-part inventory against forecast, demand variability, lead times, and safety stock targets to determine optimal order quantities and inventory levels.
- Material Certification Management - Receive, verify, and enter material certifications into SAP; ensure compliance with all metallurgical and dimensional requirements.
- Slitting & Processing Coordination - Notify on-campus processors when material is approved for slitting and shipment.
- Invoice Approval - Review and approve invoices from mills and processors for accuracy and contract compliance.
- Vendor PO Management - Create POs and monitor contracts for mills, processors, and all material-related vendors.
- Rail Logistics Oversight - Track coil shipments on the railroad
- Demurrage Prevention - Monitor railcar status and proactively manage unloading schedules to avoid demurrage fees.
- Purchased Parts Procurement - Manage component commodities through demand planning, inventory level optimization, and safety stock governance.
- Quality Issue Resolution - Support Quality in resolving mill-related quality issues; coordinate corrective actions and documentation.
- Scrap Management - Oversee scrap handling at the mill processor, ensuring accurate reporting and cost recovery.
- The position requires in-depth working knowledge of SAP warehouse management.
- Thorough working knowledge of warehouse processes including troubleshooting of inbound, outbound, internal movements, yard management processes.
- Hands-on configuration & implementation experience in designing and warehouse flows.
- Ability to debug SAP issues, troubleshoot, and implement corrective actions (training, process changes, etc)
- Partner with Corporate SAP resources in identifying opportunities for improvement in inventory management and control.
- Plan and forecast material requirements aligned with production schedules
- Coordinate with production, logistics, and supply chain teams
- Generate SAP reports (stock status, consumption trends, supplier performance)
- Ensure accuracy of inventory, purchase orders, and financial data
- Support SAP upgrades, enhancements, or integrations with other modules (e.g., PP, WM/EWM)
- Train team members on SAP EWM processes and best practices
- Act as a subject matter expert for troubleshooting issues
Qualifications:- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
- 5-10+ years of experience in materials management, procurement, or supply chain.
- Strong SAP experience, especially in material master, purchasing, and inventory modules.
- Hands-on SAP experience in purchasing, material master, inventory, receipts, or related materials-management transactions.
- Deep understanding of steel coil, slitting, and metal processing workflows.
- Proven ability to manage complex vendor networks and logistics.
- Strong analytical skills with experience in forecasting, inventory optimization, and safety stock planning.
- Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Competencies:- Strategic Planning - Ability to anticipate material needs and plan proactively.
- Vendor Negotiation - Skilled in negotiating pricing, terms, and long-term agreements.
- Data-Driven Decision Making - Uses data to drive purchasing and inventory decisions.
- Quality Mindset - Ensures materials meet all specifications before release.
- Logistics Coordination - Track rail, freight, and on-campus processing with precision.
Working Conditions:- Primarily based in manufacturing, warehouse, or office environment supporting the Albuquerque Manufacturing Facility.
- May require time on the production floor, warehouse, rail yard, or processor areas to support material flow and issue resolution.
- Occasional off-shift, evening, or weekend support may be required to address urgent production, logistics, inventory, or supplier needs.
