Director of Material Support Services (MSS) & Launch

About the role

We are seeking a strategic and dynamic Director of MSS & Launch to drive our MSS launch execution, operational excellence, materials strategy, program management, and industrial engineering initiatives across the organization.

Responsibilities

• Lead all materials management functions, including demand planning, procurement, inventory control, warehousing, logistics, transportation, and supplier performance.
• Develop and execute enterprise-wide materials strategies that optimize inventory, working capital, and customer delivery performance.
• Lead SIOP processes and establish KPIs to drive inventory accuracy, supplier performance, delivery performance, freight reduction, and inventory turns.
• Drive PFEP governance and material flow optimization across all MSS operations.
• Lead program management framework for launches, customer implementations, operational expansions, and strategic initiatives.
• Oversee launch readiness, including staffing, material flow, timing, budgets, risk mitigation, and customer communication.
• Drive cross-functional execution from quotation through launch and steady-state production.
• Serve as executive sponsor for critical customer and operational programs.
• Build and lead a high-performing organization capable of supporting current and future business growth.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and operational excellence.
• Develop talent through coaching, mentoring, succession planning, and leadership development initiatives.
• Serve as the primary liaison between MSS leadership, plant operations, customers, and key stakeholders.
• Provide strategic direction on resource planning, operational readiness, business growth, and long-term capacity requirements.
• Proactively identify and mitigate launch, supply chain, staffing, quality, and operational risks.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action efforts to resolve critical business issues.
• Drive adoption of ERP, digital tools, automation, and advanced analytics to improve operational visibility and decision-making.
• Evaluate and implement innovative technologies and best practices that enhance efficiency, customer performance, and business results.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain or Business Management, or related field; MBA preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in materials management, launch operations, plant operations (e.g., Plant Manager or Senior Operations Manager), and 3PL/distribution environments.
• Minimum of 10 years of leadership experience in high-volume automotive.
• Advanced knowledge of industrial engineering, material flow, capacity planning, labor optimization, facility layout, and process design.
• Demonstrated expertise in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, continuous improvement, and operational excellence methodologies.
• Experience supporting customer-owned and company-owned material environments, JIT operations, supplier management, and automotive launch systems.
• Strong understanding of MSS systems, launch processes, and automotive material interfaces (CMMS, MGO, EOP/EOP Lite).
• Proven ability to manage complex supply chain networks, including third-party logistics (3PL) providers and distribution operations.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, organizational, project management, and cross-functional collaboration skills with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization.

Qualifications

• Typical physical demands include a combination of sitting, standing and walking with sufficient mobility to navigate both office and plant environments.
• Ability to perform standard computer-based tasks as a part of daily responsibilities.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 60% as required by the role.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.

Benefits

Competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities to grow your career alongside industry leaders who are shaping the future of sustainable mobility.

Pay

Details on compensation package not specified.

Schedule

Hybrid role based at the Louisville facility.