Job Description
The Material Service Manager is responsible for overseeing all material flow, inventory control, and logistics processes within a Tier 1 automotive manufacturing facility. This role ensures materials are ordered, received, stored, and delivered in a manner that supports production efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and compliance with all company policies and established procedures. The position requires a highly motivated, self‑driven leader with strong MRP expertise, exceptional organizational capability, and the ability to develop a high‑performing team in a fast‑paced environment.
Essential Functions
- Oversee all inventory management activities ensuring accurate material levels to support production demands. This includes being lead for plant physical inventory events
- Lead process improvement initiatives to increase material flow efficiency and reduce waste.
- Develop and manage departmental business plan to include budget, spending, and cost-control initiatives.
- Ensure strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), work instructions, and company policies.
- Train, mentor, and develop departmental staff to achieve performance and skill growth.
- Utilize and maintain MRP/ERP systems to manage material requirements, identify discrepancies, and optimize operational performance.
- Collaborate with production, engineering, purchasing, and quality teams to resolve material-related issues.
- Monitor and improve key KPIs such as inventory accuracy, cycle counts, material shortages, and on-time delivery.
- Provide timely and constructive feedback—both positive and corrective—to address performance and behavioral issues.
- Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
- Lead or support the implementation, upgrade, or integration of MRP/ERP systems.
- Engage and communicate to internal resources and external organizations to coordinate activities and requirements
- Build reports and communicate department progress toward goals to Executive Management
Competencies
- Proficiency in MRP/ERP systems with the ability to identify improvement opportunities.
- Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
- High degree of motivation and self-direction.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to foster accountability and maintain professionalism while addressing employee behavior.
- Results-oriented mindset with a focus on continuous improvement.
- Solid understanding of lean manufacturing and material flow principles.
- Must be able to analyze data with the purpose of improvement. Reflect activities and performance effectively with presentations.
- Must be reliable and willing to engage at the floor level with a hands-on approach. Must have a passion for helping their team or individual team members be successful within their roles.
- Must be able to review, understand, and execute supplier and vendor contracts
- Must understand how inventory affects financial goals. (Inventory turns, DOH, freight costs, etc.)
Supervisory Responsibilities
- Indirectly supervise Material Services staff, including material handlers, inventory specialists, receiving personnel, and related support roles. Directly supervise salary staff within department.
- Oversee staffing, scheduling, performance reviews, coaching, and disciplinary actions.
- Ensure team alignment with departmental goals, safety standards, and quality expectations.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Demonstrated experience in inventory management, logistics, or materials planning in a manufacturing environment; automotive experience strongly preferred.
- Advanced proficiency with MRP/ERP systems; experience leading or supporting MRP/ERP implementations is highly desirable.
- Proven ability to lead teams and develop employee skillsets.
- Strong understanding of material flow, warehouse operations, and production support.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
Education and/or Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, or related field preferred.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in materials management or supply chain roles within a manufacturing environment.
- Prior supervisory or management experience required
- Certifications (e.g., APICS CPIM, CSCP) are a plus but not required.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.
- Regularly required to stand, walk, and move throughout manufacturing and warehouse areas.
- Occasional lifting of up to 25–40 lbs.
- Ability to operate in a fast-paced production environment.
- Ability to operate equipment, such as forklifts and scissor lifts when necessary
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics here are representative of those an associate encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.
- Primarily an office setting with frequent exposure to manufacturing and warehouse environments.
- Exposure to noise, forklifts, moving equipment, and varying temperatures.
- Requires wearing appropriate PPE when on the production floor.
- Fast-paced and deadline-driven with frequent interaction across departments.
Pay: $90,000.00 - $105,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- AD&D insurance
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
