Manager, Material Flow Engineering

About the role

The Material Flow Engineering Manager at Rivian is a critical leadership role responsible for designing, optimizing, and executing the end-to-end material supply chain, from external suppliers directly to the assembly line. The primary goal is to ensure material availability to meet high-volume production targets while maintaining efficiency and safety.

Responsibilities

• Advanced Automation and AI Strategy:
  • Leverage Artificial Intelligence and advanced automation to predict bottlenecks before they happen and optimize throughput in real-time.
  • Direct the deployment and integration of material handling automation, including Autonomous Guided Vehicles (AGVs), Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS), and conveyor systems.
• Strategy and Optimization:
  • Lead the development, modeling, and analysis of material flow strategies (e.g., sequencing, batching, storage) to achieve optimal cost, space utilization, and throughput.
  • Develop models to analyze the cost, throughput, and space factors for part sequencing, material batching, intermediate storage locations, and other material flow strategies.
• Data & Systems Architecture:
  • Oversee the optimization and maintenance of cross-functional databases to ensure data integrity for material tracking and inventory control.
  • Collaborate with IT to architect and implement digital systems tailored to support evolving operational requirements.
  • Configure control cycles and logic for FLP and PACE systems to automate material replenishment triggers.
• Engineering & Layout Design:
  • Oversee the creation of efficient, Lean, and safe factory layouts and material flow plans, covering all processes from receiving through delivery to the production line.
  • Design high-efficiency warehouse layouts, including kitting cells, AGV pathways, and optimized material supply routes.
  • Specify and integrate material handling assets, including tuggers, AGVs, forklift and custom-engineered racking systems.
  • Partner with Manufacturing Engineering (MEs) to engineer material delivery solutions (dollies, lift tables, GFRs) that align with specific packaging ergonomics.
  • Engage with the Continuous Improvement (CI) team to prototype innovative equipment and optimize process cycle times.
• Resource & Project Management:
  • Manage cross-functional project teams, vendor relationships (LLP), and project timelines to successfully deliver on safety, quality, and production metrics.
  • Conduct data-driven workload analysis to determine precise Headcount (HC) requirements and labor allocation.
  • Lead formal 'buy-off' procedures with Operations to ensure new processes meet safety, ergonomic, and throughput standards.
  • Drive project momentum through weekly status reporting, cross-functional alignment meetings, and proactive bottleneck escalation.
• Documentation & Standard Work:
  • Author comprehensive Work Instructions (SOPs) and Job Cards to standardize tasks and minimize process variation.
  • Provide subject matter expertise during the conceptual phases of new projects to ensure 'Design for Logistics' principles are applied.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in high-volume manufacturing OEM’s, logistics, or supply chain engineering, with at least 5 years in a formal supervisory or leadership capacity.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• 2+ years’ experience with data-based development of end-to-end supply chain, logistics, and/or material flow processes for high volume, high complexity production or logistics facilities.
• Demonstrated skill in CAD software (AutoCAD) for layout planning, including 2+ years’ experience.
• Strong capability in data analysis tools (Excel/Google Sheets) and analytical ability to break down complex problems and data sets to derive meaningful, actionable results.
• Hands-on experience with key manufacturing and logistics systems, such as Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), Material Requirements Planning (MRP), or Warehouse Management Systems (WMS).
• Exceptional analytical abilities, proven leadership qualities, and strong communication skills necessary to navigate and thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment characterized by ambiguity.

Preferred Qualifications

• An MBA or Master's degree.
• Experience working with Yard Management Systems (YMS).
• Experience with modeling or simulation software (Flexsim, AnyLogic, etc.) and data visualization tools (MS PowerBI).
• Ability to understand Engineering and Design direction and provide focused supply-chain solutions accordingly.