Manager – Prototype Materials & Logistics

Daimler Truck; Detroit (MI); Hybrid; USD 133,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

DTNA's Detroit Powertrain Test Center seeks a Manager of Prototype Materials & Logistics to plan, procure, store and move materials for project execution. You will drive data-driven workflows, coordinate with engineering, and build dashboards to optimize testing operations.

You will lead a team, develop processes, and ensure on-time delivery while aligning with DTNA policies and cross-functional goals. Ideal candidates bring a BS in engineering, 2+ years supervising teams, 3+ years process

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical or Electrical/Mechatronic engineering from ABET-accredited program.
• 2+ years of supervisory or project lead experience.
• 3+ years of process management experience.
• Powertrain component knowledge and/or automotive industry experience.
• Ability to lead, coach and develop individuals and teams.
• Strong communication with global colleagues to drive decisions.
• Ability to work in a truly global environment with different cultures.
• Strong organizational, analytical, interpersonal, and operational management skills.
• Proficient in PC and Microsoft Office.
• Willingness to travel up to 15% domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Be a role model and ensure compliance with policies.
• Provide targets and qualified feedback to challenge, support and develop your team; recruit as applicable.
• Lead, coach and develop team members to drive top performance in prototype material, project planning, logistics and cross-functional process improvement.
• Create clear ownership, backup coverage and documentation for critical recurring processes with cross-training and redundancy.
• Develop metrics to drive outcomes and provide transparency to processes.
• Drive materials management and purchasing for prototypes and facility needs; optimize workflows with ordering systems.
• Ensure warehousing and storage is organized and accessible for the Test Center.
• Define and drive sustainable planning from front load planning to on-time delivery.
• Facilitate regular communication across engineering.
• Maintain professional relationships with UAW locals and outside vendors.
• Lead initiatives that improve operational excellence through data analytics and corrective actions.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Process management

Data analytics

Communication

Global collaboration

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree

Job description

Inside the Role

In the Detroit Powertrain Test Center, we drive the data generation for the validation and certification of our global Daimler Truck brand portfolio of components and sub-systems for a variety of powertrain combinations of internal combustion or battery electric options. The Manager of Prototype Materials & Logistics is responsible for executing seamless workflows required for planning, procurement, storage and logistics of the materials necessary for project execution, supporting operations and across the facility. The roles closely partners with other teams within the Test Center and Detroit Product engineering to translate data into clear decisions, countermeasures and optimized sustainable business processes. The position is central to creating efficiency by simplifying recurring work, improving documentation and controls, and building data-driven workflows and dashboards around the planning and tracking of the Test center processes. This forward-looking leader anticipates incoming projects and envisions opportunities to improve accuracy, speed and transparency to stakeholders; strengthening cross-functional alignment and developing the team in a fast-paced organization.

Posting Information

We provide a scheduled posting end date to assist our candidates with their application planning. While this date reflects our latest plans, it is subject to change, and postings may be extended or removed earlier than expected.

We Take Care of Our Team

Position offers a starting salary range of $133,000 – $170,000 USD

Pay offered dependent on knowledge, skills, andexperience.

Benefits include annual bonus program; 401kcompany contribution with company match up to6% as well as non-elective company contribution of3 - 7% depending on age;starting at 4 weeks paidvacation; 13+ calendar holidays; 8 weeks paidparental leave; employee assistance program;comprehensive healthcare plans and wellnessprograms; onsite fitness (at some locations); tuitionassistance and volunteer paid time off; short-termand long-term disability plans.

What You Drive at DTNA

• Be a role model based on our company’s values and ensure compliance of the company policies.
• Provide job targets and qualified feedback to challenge, support and develop your team members to reach outstanding results and full engagement. Recruit new employees as applicable.
• Lead, coach and develop team members to drive top performance in prototype material, project planning, logistics and cross-functional process improvement.
• Create clear ownership, backup coverage and documentation for critical recurring processes, including cross-training and redundancy across team activities to provide for long term sustainability of the operation.
• Develop metrics to drive desired outcomes that are specific to the business needs within the test center and to provide transparency to the processes
• Drive materials management and purchasing for prototypes and facility needs; optimizing workflows connecting to all related ordering systems to ensure efficiency in part delivery and material movements for the test center
• Ensure warehousing and storage is optimally organized, maintained within the footprint of the test center, providing efficient stocking and retrieval for the Test center, following all safety rules
• Define and drive sustainable planning and forecasting from the front load planning process, including PT-BOM management to the assembly preparation process; ensuring accurate and efficient parts hand off; maintaining on time delivery according to project plan.
• Facilitate regular communication and collaboration across all of engineering
• Maintain professional relationships with the UAW 412 and 163 and any outside vendors providing services to the Test Center
• Make recommendations and take decisions as necessary to shape manual, fragmented or high-risk processes and convert them into documented, sustainable and controlled workflows and dashboards wherever feasible.
• Lead initiatives that drive operational excellence through regular monitoring of operational performance through data analytics and identifying opportunities to improve or situations requiring corrective actions.
• The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker and disciplined executor who can identify, develop, and implement initiatives that strengthen talent attraction, engagement, development, and retention across DTNA. This individual must effectively translate innovative concepts into scalable solutions that drive meaningful organizational and business impact.

Knowledge You Should Bring

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electrical Computer Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology (ABET Accredited University)
• 2+ years of supervisory or project lead experience
• 3+ years of process management experience
• Powertrain component knowledge and/or experience in the automotive or commercial vehicle industry
• Skills to lead, coach and develop individuals and teams based on the GLBs and HR policies of DT
• Ability to facilitate and negotiate with colleagues and/or suppliers globally to drive the best decisions for our product or people
• Ability to effectively communicate subject matter to varying audiences in verbal and written formats
• Ability to think independently and critically formulate plans and make decisions in a fast paced, emerging and sometimes ambiguous environment
• Ability to work in a truly global environment with different cultures to collaborate successfully
• Excellent organizational, analytical, interpersonal and operational management skills
• Excellent PC, Microsoft Office skills
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 15%

Exceptional Candidates Might Have

• A visionary and entrepreneurial mindset
• Project Management Experience
• Supply Chain Management experience
• Understand and speak German Language

Where We Work

This position is open to applicants who can work in (or relocate to) the following location(s)-

Detroit, MI US. Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Schedule Type:

Hybrid (4 days per week in-office / 1 day remote). This schedule builds our #OneTeamBestTeam culture, provides an unparalleled customer experience, and creates innovative solutions through in-person collaboration.

At Daimler Truck North America, we recognize our world is changing faster than ever before. By listening to the needs of today, we’re building to solve with cutting-edge solutions in sustainability and future driving technology across electric, hydrogen and autonomous. These solutions, backed by years of innovative success and achievement, continue DTNA’s legacy as the undisputed industry leader. Our evolving brand portfolio is second to none, including Freightliner Trucks, Western Star, Demand Detroit, Thomas Built Buses, Freightliner Custom Chassis, and Financial Services. Together, we work as one team towards our envisioned future – building a cleaner, safer and more efficient tomorrow for all.

That is what we are working toward - for all who keep the world moving.

Additional Information

• Visa sponsorship will only be open to current Daimler Truck North America employees working under an existing U.S. Daimler Truck North America Visa
• All other applicants must be legally authorized to work permanently in the country the position is located in at the time of application
• Final candidate must successfully complete a criminal background check
• Final candidate may be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screen
• Contractors, professional services, or other contingent workers should confirm with their local agency if they are eligible to apply for FTE positions
• EEO - Disabled/Veterans

Daimler Truck North America is committed to workforce inclusion and providing an environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, age, marital status, family relationship, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (including transgender and transitioning status), genetic information, or veteran status.

For an accommodation or special assistance with applying for a posted position, please contact our Human Resources department at 503-745-8982 or toll free 800-206-3369. For TTY/TDD enabled call 503-745-2137 or toll free 866-355-6935.