Senior Manager, Material Support Services & Launch

About the role

We are seeking a strategic and dynamic Sr. Manager, 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 the 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.
• 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

Health, Safety, Physical & Travel Requirements

Pay

Competitive pay

Schedule

Hybrid role based at the Louisville facility