Materials Manager (Automotive)

Job Summary:

Materials Manager has total responsibility for materials planning and logistics activities that include inventory management, material planning, forecasting & replenishment, warehousing, logistics and indirect procurement. This is a critical role within the plant operations that ensure on-time customer order fulfilment and delivery. This role drives strong collaboration with finance, controlling, supply chain and program management teams within plant and corporate settings.

Job Responsibilities:

• Independent responsibility for material and logistics planning, inventory planning, release management, on-hand inventory accuracy, forecasting and replenishment, freight optimization.
• Lead a team of material planners and plant procurement teams; identify needs for skill development and focus on training and performance improvement of the team.
• Design most optimal material planning and inventory solutions, taking into consideration EBITDA, working capital and on-time execution of customer orders.
• Supervise, initiate, control and direct the activities of all personnel involved in ensuring on-time delivery at minimum cost of labor and materials.
• A significant contributor to the financial success of the plant operation by ensuring customer satisfaction is a key priority.
• Lead continuous improvement plans as it relates to materials planning, freight management, space optimization and timely customer order fulfillment.
• Develop analytical tools and daily best practices as it relates to inventory optimization and risk mitigation.
• Provide subject matter expertise to materials planning team as it relates to ERP and inventory management best practices.
• Train materials personnel in TS16949, ISO 14001, Health and Safety, and facility policies, procedures and work instructions as they apply to their role.
• Lead physical inventories, monitor inventory levels and adjust accordingly.
• Timely execution of performance appraisals for direct reports.
• Ensure co-ordination between materials planning, production schedules and shipping schedules to meet customer requirements.
• Co-ordinate all sub-contracting activities.

Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or college diploma in business administration, commerce or economics is preferred.
• Certification in Supply Chain/Materials Management Program from an accredited institution will be a distinct advantage.
• Minimum 5 years functional experience in materials and inventory management in a high volume Automotive Manufacturing operation.
• Hands-on experience in monitoring and ensuring inventory accuracy, inventory turnover rates and order fill rates to diagnose inventory planning, forecasting and replenishment problems.
• Have led material planning and inventory performance improvement projects in fast paced manufacturing settings.
• Demonstrate planning and analytical skills; able to recommend and implement sustainable supply planning and inventory management solutions to drive operational performance improvements.
• Solid experience in collaborating with controllers and other managers to make forecasts and build inventories that are compatible with plant’s production and sales strategies and budgets.
• Possess excellent communication skills to interact with co-workers, customers and suppliers about operational matters.
• Solid experience in evaluating and analyzing risks associated with material planning and inventory management; hands-on experience in managing customer demand variations.
• Working knowledge of freight planning, lane optimization.
• Solid knowledge of ERP system/BI reporting. Familiarity with computer applications and communications software. Able to train people on IT systems.
• Working experience on continuous improvement initiatives in supply chain/plant operations settings.
• APICS /CPIM certification preferred.
• Hands on experience in scheduling and inventory planning in an ERP system environment.