Materials Coordinator (ARL)

About the role

We are searching for a Materials Coordinator to join our Supply Chain Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. The Supply Chain Department supports researchers by bridging between researchers, the business office and suppliers. ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes transitioning military members to apply.

Responsibilities

• Support procurement activities by coordinating with suppliers, buyers, engineering personnel, and program teams to obtain required materials, monitor delivery schedules, resolve shortages, and support Requests for Quotations (RFQs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and vendor performance evaluations.
• Ensure organization of warehouses, stockrooms, and secure storage locations to maximize inventory accuracy, safety, security, material preservation, and operational efficiency.
• Maintain accurate electronic records supporting inventory management, procurement, property accountability, shipping, receiving, quality assurance, and audit readiness; prepare reports and documentation for internal reviews and external audits.
• Coordinate closely with Engineering, Program Management, Manufacturing, Procurement, Property Management, Security, Quality Assurance, Finance, and Shipping/Receiving personnel to resolve material availability, logistics, inventory, and scheduling issues affecting project execution.
• Ensure compliance with applicable FAR, DFARS, Federal Acquisition Regulations, Government Property requirements, export control regulations (ITAR/EAR), quality management standards, and University policies governing procurement, logistics, and material management.
• May supervise staff, including hiring, onboarding, training, work assignment, performance management, and professional development.
• May require periodic travel to remote locations in support of testing as part of a small team of researchers, engineers, and technologists.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• 3+ years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher; may be subject to a government background investigation to upgrade clearance eligibility.
• U.S. citizenship.
• No specific certifications required.

Skills

• Inventory & Material Control: experience in physical/digital inventory management, receiving, issuing, cycle counting, and reconciliation in a manufacturing, lab, or engineering environment.
• MRP/ERP System Proficiency: hands‑on experience setting up or operating an MRP/ERP system (item masters, BOMs, transactions, multi‑location inventory); ability to quickly become a power user in Atlas.
• Documentation & Data Organization: strong skills in digitizing, standardizing, and centralizing technical/inventory documentation (BOMs, build records, part numbering) with high attention to accuracy and traceability.
• Procurement & Supply Chain Basics: working knowledge of purchase requisitions, PO tracking, supplier/cost/lead‑time data capture, and vendor coordination.
• Organizational & Communication Skills: ability to work cross‑functionally with engineers, supply chain staff, and government property personnel; capable of managing competing priorities during a high‑intensity setup phase.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with government property/serialization tracking and compliance requirements.
• Familiarity with PLM/TeamCenter or similar CAD‑linked data management systems.
• Background supporting engineering or R&D programs, understanding of BOM‑to‑build linkage.
• Prior experience in a defense, aerospace, or government‑funded research environment.
• Building or maintaining vendor databases within an MRP/ERP tool.
• Cross‑training/backup role experience supporting multiple programs or acting as a shared resource.

Location

Fully on‑site position located in State College, PA. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.

Pay

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $62,304.00 – $93,504.00.

Benefits

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full‑time employees, including comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, robust retirement plans, and substantial paid time off (holidays, vacation, and sick time). Employees receive a generous 75% tuition discount for themselves, eligible spouses, and children. For more details, see the Penn State Benefits Page.

Background Checks & Clearances

Employment requires successful completion of background checks in accordance with University policies. Employees must be eligible to obtain a government security clearance, participate in the ARL drug testing program, and comply with electronic and physical monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors. ARL operates in a secure information environment involving Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and Classified information. Personal electronic devices brought onsite must be registered and may be restricted.