Material Flow Engineering Manager

Socket.dev; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Socket.dev is seeking a Material Flow Engineering Manager to design and optimize the end-to-end material supply chain, ensuring material availability for high-volume production while maintaining safety and efficiency.

The role requires a technical leader capable of navigating ambiguity, driving cross-functional strategy, and implementing first-principles engineering solutions across a global footprint.

Qualifications

• 5–10 years of experience in high-volume manufacturing or logistics.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, or related field.
• Experience with CAD software (AutoCAD) for layout planning.
• Strong data analytics and Excel/Sheets skills.
• Hands-on experience with MES, MRP, or WMS systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation and AI strategy for material flow and logistics.
• Model and analyze material flow strategies to optimize cost and throughput.
• Oversee data architecture for material tracking and inventory control.
• Define and implement Lean layout designs and material handling assets.
• Manage cross-functional projects, vendor relationships, and safety targets.

Skills

Data analysis

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

AutoCAD

MES

MRP

WMS

Job description

The Material Flow Engineering Manager is a critical leadership role responsible for designing, optimizing, and executing the end-to-end material supply chain, from external suppliers directly to the assembly line. The primary goal is to ensure material availability to meet high-volume production targets while maintaining efficiency and safety. This role requires a technical leader capable of navigating ambiguity, driving cross-functional strategy, and implementing "first-principles" engineering solutions across the global footprint.

Key Responsibilities

• Advanced Automation and AI Strategy:
  • Lead automation of supply chain logistics and high-impact projects that bridge the gap between physical logistics and digital intelligence.
  • Leverage Artificial Intelligence and advanced automation to predict bottlenecks before they happen and optimize throughput in real-time.
  • Direct the deployment and integration of material handling automation, including Autonomous Guided Vehicles (AGVs), Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS), and conveyor systems.
• Strategy and Optimization:
  • Lead the development, modeling, and analysis of material flow strategies (e.g., sequencing, batching, storage) to achieve optimal cost, space utilization, and throughput.
  • Develop models to analyze the cost, throughput, and space factors for part sequencing, material batching, intermediate storage locations, and other material flow strategies.
• Data & Systems Architecture:
  • Oversee the optimization and maintenance of cross-functional databases to ensure data integrity for material tracking and inventory control.
  • Collaborate with IT to architect and implement digital systems tailored to support evolving operational requirements.
  • Configure control cycles and logic for FLP and PACE systems to automate material replenishment triggers.
  • Strategize IT hardware requirements and oversee the deployment of technology interfaces across the production floor.
• Engineering & Layout Design:
  • Oversee the creation of efficient, Lean, and safe factory layouts and material flow plans, covering all processes from receiving through delivery to the production line.
  • Design high-efficiency warehouse layouts, including kitting cells, AGV pathways, and optimized material supply routes.
  • Specify and integrate material handling assets, including tuggers, AGVs, forklift and custom-engineered racking systems.
  • Partner with Manufacturing Engineering (MEs) to engineer material delivery solutions (dollies, lift tables, GFRs) that align with specific packaging ergonomics.
  • Engage with the Continuous Improvement (CI) team to prototype innovative equipment and optimize process cycle times.
• Resource & Project Management:
  • Manage cross-functional project teams, vendor relationships (LLP), and project timelines to successfully deliver on safety, quality, and production metrics.
  • Conduct data-driven workload analysis to determine precise Headcount (HC) requirements and labor allocation.
  • Lead formal 'buy-off' procedures with Operations to ensure new processes meet safety, ergonomic, and throughput standards.
  • Drive project momentum through weekly status reporting, cross-functional alignment meetings, and proactive bottleneck escalation.
• Documentation & Standard Work:
  • Author comprehensive Work Instructions (SOPs) and Job Cards to standardize tasks and minimize process variation.
  • Provide subject matter expertise during the conceptual phases of new projects to ensure 'Design for Logistics' principles are applied.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Experience: preferably of 5 to 10 years of experience in high-volume manufacturing OEM’s, logistics, or supply chain engineering, with at least 5 years in a formal supervisory or leadership capacity.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• Technical Proficiency:
  • 2+ years’ experience with data-based development of end-to-end supply chain, logistics, and/or material flow processes for high volume, high complexity production or logistics facilities.
  • Demonstrated skill in CAD software (AutoCAD) for layout planning, including 2+ years’ experience.
  • Strong capability in data analysis tools (Excel/Google Sheets) and analytical ability to break down complex problems and data sets to derive meaningful, actionable results.
  • Hands‑on experience with key manufacturing and logistics systems, such as Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), Material Requirements Planning (MRP), or Warehouse Management Systems (WMS).
• Core Skills: Exceptional analytical abilities, proven leadership qualities, and strong communication skills necessary to navigate and thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment