Material Center Manager

Mitsubishi Electric Power Products, Inc.; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health coverage

401(k) with company match

Generous paid time off and holidays

Career development programs

Wellness program and employee perks

Job summary

Mitsubishi Electric Power Products, Inc. (MEPPI) seeks a Material Center Manager to lead all Material Center operations in support of production, inventory management, and customer commitments.

You will oversee inventory control, warehousing, subassembly activities, and material transactions while driving safety, quality, and efficiency. Key responsibilities include evaluating performance against delivery and quality goals, developing teams, improving inventory controls, and ensuring procedures

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, or related discipline.
• 7+ years manufacturing experience.
• 5+ years management experience.
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead Material Center operations to meet production schedules and customer commitments.
• Drive performance and accountability by evaluating delivery, inventory accuracy, throughput, and quality goals.
• Oversee inventory and material management, including subassembly activities and material transactions.
• Develop and lead teams with coaching, training, cross-training, and professional development.
• Improve inventory controls and procedures to increase efficiency and productivity.
• Ensure inventory accuracy through cycle counts, location audits, FTZ operations, and annual physical inventories.
• Manage obsolete inventory and coordinate disposition of obsolete materials.
• Champion safety and compliance; conduct investigations of accidents and incidents involving department personnel.
• Support onboarding of new employees with product knowledge, safety, and environmental requirements.
• Maintain operational procedures and ensure adherence across all Material Center functions.
• Manage facilities and supplies to keep the Material Center organized and well-maintained.
• Evaluate employee performance through performance reviews emphasizing attendance, productivity, quality, and teamwork.
• Administer wage and qualification programs in line with shop requirements.
• Support strategic planning and budgeting, including departmental reports, staffing plans, and capex planning.
• Implement Lean principles and drive continuous improvement across the Material Center.
• Lead special projects focused on improving inventory accuracy, safety, quality, productivity, and operational performance.
• Promote division excellence through collaboration with other MEPPI departments and stakeholders.
• Champion quality, safety, and environmental standards and promote their importance throughout the organization.
• Provide inventory control support for other MEPPI departments as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Inventory control

Warehousing

Logistics

Manufacturing support

Lean principles

Continuous improvement

Leadership

Team management

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, or related discipline

Tools

MS Office

Relational databases

MRP/ERP systems

Job description

Powering Operational Excellence Through Strategic Materials Leadership!

MEPPI’s Switchgear Division (SWGD) is seeking an experienced and results-driven Material Center Manager to lead all Material Center operations in support of production, inventory management, and customer commitments. In this leadership role, you will oversee inventory control, warehousing, subassembly operations, material transactions, and workforce development while driving continuous improvement, safety, quality, and operational efficiency throughout the Material Center.

What You'll Do

Lead Material Center Operations: Manage all Material Center activities, ensuring production schedules, customer commitments, and operational objectives are met through efficient and effective material flow.

Drive Performance & Accountability: Evaluate Material Center performance against delivery, inventory accuracy, throughput, and quality goals; identify and resolve performance issues proactively.

Oversee Inventory & Material Management: Manage subassembly activities, leak testing, material transactions, and delivery of components to support production requirements and maximize efficiency of personnel and materials.

Develop & Lead Teams: Supervise daily activities of Material Center employees with a focus on positive employee relations, coaching, training, cross-training, and professional development.

Improve Inventory Controls: Recommend and implement improvements to inventory control methods and procedures that increase efficiency, accuracy, and productivity.

Ensure Inventory Accuracy: Oversee cycle counts, location audits, Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) operations, and annual physical inventory counts to maintain accurate inventory records.

Manage Obsolete Inventory: Analyze inventory transaction reports and coordinate the identification and disposition of obsolete materials.

Champion Safety & Compliance: Ensure compliance with all safety requirements and conduct timely, thorough investigations of accidents and incidents involving department personnel.

Support Employee Onboarding: Conduct new employee orientations covering product knowledge, processes, safety, quality, and environmental requirements.

Maintain Operational Procedures: Develop, maintain, and ensure adherence to procedures supporting all Material Center functions.

Manage Facilities & Supplies: Maintain inventory of shop supplies and ensure Material Center facilities remain organized, clean, and well-maintained.

Evaluate Employee Performance: Conduct performance reviews for Inventory Workers with emphasis on attendance, productivity, quality, cooperation, and teamwork.

Administer Wage & Qualification Programs: Operate in accordance with shop wage programs, including employee testing and qualification requirements.

Support Strategic Planning & Budgeting: Assist with preparation of departmental reports, budgets, staffing plans, and capital expenditure planning.

Implement Lean Principles: Facilitate and drive lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives throughout the Material Center.

Lead Special Projects: Initiate and manage projects focused on improving inventory accuracy, safety, quality, productivity, and operational performance.

Promote Division Excellence: Further the goals and professional image of SWGD through effective collaboration with other MEPPI departments and stakeholders.

Champion Quality, Safety & Environmental Standards: Maintain a strong understanding of MEPPI's Quality, Safety, and Environmental policies and actively promote their importance throughout the organization.

Additional Responsibilities

• Provide inventory control support for other MEPPI departments as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What You Bring

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, or a related discipline
• Minimum of 7 years of manufacturing experience
• Minimum of 5 years of management experience
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Leadership & Operational Expertise

• Strong background in inventory control, warehousing, logistics, and manufacturing support operations
• Experience leading teams in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
• Knowledge of lean principles and continuous improvement methodologies

Skills & Attributes

• Advanced logical and critical thinking abilities
• Strong quantitative analysis and decision-making skills
• Advanced interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to lead diverse teams and foster positive employee relations
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

Technology Proficiency

• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office applications
• Experience with relational databases
• Advanced proficiency with MRP/ERP systems

What’s in It for You?

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: MEPPI pays 90% of the cost for medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Retirement Plans: 401(k) with company match up to 4%.
• Generous Paid Time Off: Vacation eligibility after 90 days, plus 12 paid holidays annually.
• Career Development: Leadership development, technical training, and educational assistance programs.
• Exclusive Employee Perks: Profit sharing, free access to our 24/7 fitness center in Warrendale, PA, and participation in MEPPI’s Wellness Program.

Why MEPPI

At MEPPI, operational excellence starts with effective materials management. As the Material Center Manager for SWGD, you will play a key role in ensuring materials flow efficiently through our manufacturing operations while supporting safety, quality, and customer satisfaction. Join a team committed to continuous improvement and innovation in support of critical electrical infrastructure.

About Us

Mitsubishi Electric Power Products, Inc. is a leader in power systems, rail transportation, and switchgear technologies across North America. The Switchgear Division supports critical energy infrastructure through advanced engineering, manufacturing excellence, and customer-focused solutions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

MEPPI is committed to creating an inclusive workplace. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and ensure every candidate receives fair and equitable consideration.

Applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability or (as defined by applicable law) medical condition or genetic information, military or veteran status or any other legally protected status.