Manager of Materials

Colonial Group; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off & holidays

Wellness programs

Job summary

Voltava, a global manufacturing partner, seeks a Materials Manager to lead plant materials planning, inventory control, and production scheduling across multiple facilities. You will drive material flow, ensure on-time delivery, and manage a high‑performing materials team in a fast-paced setting.

You will partner with Purchasing, suppliers, and production teams to optimize replenishment, lead continuous improvement initiatives, and maintain accuracy in ERP/MRP data.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive materials management, production control, inventory control, logistics, or supply chain experience in automotive or high-volume manufacturing.
• Demonstrated leadership directing materials planning, scheduling, inventory, shipping, receiving, warehousing, or related plant functions.
• Proficiency with material control, ERP, and MRP systems, incl. QAD MfgPro, customer-specific MRP systems, and container management systems.
• Strong knowledge of material flow, plant layouts, packaging, containerization, inventory management, replenishment, and JIT.
• Ability to analyze production requirements and develop supporting material systems, planning parameters, controls, and business processes.
• Knowledge of IATF 16949 and applicable customer-specific requirements.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects with safety and quality compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead materials planning, scheduling, inventory control, and replenishment to support customer and plant requirements.
• Manage material releases and flow in a Just-in-Time environment to balance demand, capacity, and schedules.
• Monitor material flow and identify risks; develop recovery plans to prevent disruption.
• Maintain inventory and planning data within ERP/MRP systems, including QAD MfgPro.
• Develop and maintain the Plan for Every Part with replenishment and packaging details.
• Collaborate with Purchasing, suppliers, and plant teams to resolve material issues.
• Analyze BOMs, planning parameters, and system data to fix inventory accuracy issues.
• Coordinate material actions for engineering changes, product launches, and obsolescence.
• Improve material flow, space utilization, and safety via standard work and lean initiatives.
• Ensure documentation and procedures are current and followed.

Skills

Leadership

ERP/MRP

QAD MfgPro

Excel

Inventory control

Planning

Communication

Continuous improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management

Equiv. combination of education & experience

Tools

QAD MfgPro

MS Office

Job description

MATERIALS MANAGER

About Voltava:

At Voltava, people power everything we do. We are a premier global manufacturing and assembly partner formed through the combination of Detroit Manufacturing Systems, Android Industries, and Avancez with approximately 5,400 Team Members across 21 facilities worldwide. Our vibrant, collaborative, and people-focused culture is the foundation for everything we deliver, from complex module assembly and sequencing to contract manufacturing, supply chain, automation, and tooling and equipment design for OEM customers across the automotive, industrial, e-mobility, heavy truck, defense, and technology sectors. Kinetyc, our scalable contract manufacturing arm based in Wixom, Michigan, expands our capabilities and capacity to support customers across a range of industries. Together, we are Building A Better Everything.

About the Role:

The Materials Manager leads plant materials planning, inventory control, production scheduling, and material flow to support safe, efficient, and uninterrupted operations. This role develops and executes the plant material plan, manages supplier and customer requirements in a Just-in-Time environment, maintains inventory accuracy, and ensures materials are available to meet production and delivery commitments. The Materials Manager also leads the local materials team, strengthens supply chain processes, and drives continuous improvement across receiving, storage, production, and shipping activities.

What You Will Do:

• Lead materials planning, production scheduling, inventory control, and replenishment to support customer and plant requirements.
• Manage material releases and flow in a Just-in-Time environment to balance production demand, supplier capacity, inventory targets, and customer schedules.
• Monitor supplier, warehouse, production, and customer material flow; identify risks early and drive recovery plans to prevent disruption.
• Maintain accurate inventory and planning data within ERP, MRP, customer, and container management systems, including QAD MfgPro where applicable.
• Develop and maintain the Plan for Every Part, including replenishment, packaging, storage, delivery frequency, inventory parameters, and material presentation.
• Partner with Purchasing, suppliers, customers, and plant teams to resolve issues affecting material availability, receiving, shipping, storage, packaging, containers, and line-side delivery.
• Analyze bills of material, part specifications, planning parameters, inventory transactions, and system data to identify and correct issues impacting production or inventory accuracy.
• Coordinate material actions related to engineering changes, product launches, obsolescence, supplier releases, packaging, timing, and premium freight reduction.
• Improve material flow, space utilization, safety, and operational performance through layout optimization, standard work, and process improvements.
• Ensure supply chain policies, procedures, work instructions, and documentation are current, controlled, communicated, and consistently followed.
• Set team goals, monitor performance, coach team members, and support cross-functional partners with materials expertise.
• Lead or support continuous improvement and Kata initiatives while promoting safe work practices and compliance with safety, quality, customer, and regulatory requirements.

What You Need To Be Successful:

• 7+ years of progressive materials management, production control, inventory control, logistics, or supply chain experience in automotive or high-volume manufacturing.
• Demonstrated leadership experience directing materials planning, scheduling, inventory, shipping, receiving, warehousing, or related plant functions.
• Proficiency with material control, ERP, and MRP systems, including QAD MfgPro where applicable, customer-specific MRP systems, and container management systems.
• Strong knowledge of material flow, plant layouts, packaging, containerization, inventory management, replenishment, and Just-in-Time principles.
• Ability to analyze production requirements and develop supporting material systems, planning parameters, controls, and business processes.
• Knowledge of IATF 16949 and applicable customer-specific requirements.
• Ability to analyze and reconcile inventory records, system transactions, accounts, and variances.
• Strong organization, prioritization, problem-solving, and continuous improvement skills in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate with team members, leaders, customers, and suppliers.
• Strong customer focus, sound judgment, tact, and an appropriate sense of urgency.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and improvement initiatives simultaneously.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and spreadsheet-based data analysis.

Bonus Points If You Have:

• APICS certification, such as CPIM or CSCP.
• Experience with Plan for Every Part, premium freight reduction, directed-buy processes, engineering change control, product launches, and customer-specific material systems.
• Experience leading Lean, continuous improvement, or Kata initiatives in manufacturing.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Materials Management, Business Administration, Finance, Operations Management, or related field.
• An equivalent combination of education and directly relevant experience may be considered.

Travel:

• Travel to the customer, supplier, and company locations is required based on business and program needs. Travel frequency may vary by assignment.

What We Offer:

We believe our team members are our greatest investment, which is why we offer a competitive total rewards package designed to support you at every stage of your career and life. Our benefits may include comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage, retirement savings programs with employer contributions, tuition reimbursement, paid time off and holidays, employee assistance resources, and additional wellness programs and benefits designed to support your health, financial well-being, professional growth, and overall quality of life.

Our Core Values:

Voltava is committed to creating an environment where every Team Member feels welcomed, respected, valued, and empowered to make an impact.

• Respect:We create belonging by bringing out the best in each other.
• Integrity:We earn trust through every interaction.
• Courage: We show up fully even when it would be easier not to.
• Impact: We strengthen the people and places around us.

Together, we are Building A Better Everything.

Voltava is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We are committed to attracting, developing, and retaining talented individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

At Voltava, employment decisions are based on qualifications, skills, experience, and business needs. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce strengthens our ability to innovate, service our customers, and achieve our goals.

Accessibility and Accommodations

Voltava is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process and during employment. If you require assistance or an accommodation to participate in the application process, please contact [e-mail]. Requests for accommodation will be reviewed and considered in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.