Manager, Materials

About the Role

The Manager, Materials is responsible for material flow from receiving/inspection to line side presentation for production, including end-of-line pick, pack, and ship. This position drives a safety-focused environment, leads continuous improvement initiatives, eliminates waste, improves efficiency, reduces forklift requirements in material handling, and ensures accurate cycle counting and timely transactional reporting. The role also focuses on improving delivery performance (internal and external) and ensuring uninterrupted material movement for production lines with efficient labor resource use.

Responsibilities

• Work with the material handling team to ensure seamless material flow from incoming receiving/inspection to line side presentation, including end-of-line pick, pack, and ship.
• Create and manage a Plan for Every Part (PFEP) database for day-to-day operations.
• Design and implement lean pull-based systems, including supermarkets, 2-bin Kanban systems, tugger routes, and point-of-use delivery in a 5S environment.
• Manage material flow involving Work in Process (WIP) markets with pull-based replenishment linked to production scheduling processes, such as level scheduling (heijunka), changeover optimization, and runner/repeater/stranger replenishment.
• Oversee inventory management, accuracy, and established guidelines and procedures to support production operations.
• Manage excess and obsolete materials processes.
• Optimize daily warehousing operations across multiple shifts, including staging, cycle counting, receiving, storage, shipping of finished goods, and indirect materials.
• Mentor and guide project team members to deliver on project/program requirements.
• Act as a liaison or support collaborations with customers and suppliers to resolve product/program manufacturing quality issues.
• Lead or participate in Failure Mode Effect Analysis (FMEA) teams.
• Plan and lead refresher activities and forums for continual learning.
• Work with the Corporate materials team on strategy and process implementation.
• Lead Continuous Improvement events related to material flow.
• Demonstrate flexibility in approach and ideas, and support changes in procedures, processes, technology, responsibility, and assignments.
• Define resource needs and work within budget and staffing parameters to accomplish objectives.
• Supervise the material handling team, including forklift drivers and material supervisors. Interview, hire, train, coach, and develop direct reports.
• Serve as an SAP Super User within the functional area.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Supply Chain, or equivalent experience.
• 5 years of progressive Operations management experience in a similar work environment.
• Transformational leadership using lean principles and Plan For Every Part (PFEP).

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated understanding and application of lean manufacturing principles.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate with multiple sites.
• Experience operating in high-mix, low-volume and high-volume, low-mix production environments.
• Ability to manage shifting deadlines and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong quantitative skills and the ability to analyze, think, and communicate with well-supported data.
• Understanding of financial measurements and goals.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and data analysis.
• Previous experience using SAP or equivalent ERP systems.
• Experience in international logistics.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Regularly required to talk, hear, and use hands to manipulate objects or controls.
• Regularly required to stand and walk; occasionally required to stoop, bend, or reach above shoulders.
• Must occasionally lift up to 25 pounds; frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds unassisted and up to 100 pounds with assistance.
• Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.
• Work in typical manufacturing environment conditions, including seasonal temperature variations and occasional exposure to fumes or byproducts.
• Compliance with assigned location PPE requirements, including safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, clothing, shields, and closed-toed or safety shoes.
• Ability to work in varying weather conditions, including extreme heat, snow, and ice.
• May require obtaining a DOT Medical Card and the ability to drive a heavy-duty truck on a daily basis.