Material Flow Engineering Manager

Premier Staffing Solution; Normal (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Premier Staffing Solution is seeking a Material Flow Engineering Manager to lead end-to-end material supply chain design, optimization, and execution across the global footprint. This role targets ensuring material availability for high-volume production while maintaining safety and efficiency.

You will navigate ambiguity, drive cross-functional strategy, and implement first-principles engineering solutions, partnering with Manufacturing Engineering and IT to deliver Lean layouts and advanced

Qualifications

• 5–10 years of manufacturing or logistics experience, with 5+ years in leadership.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, supply chain, or related field.
• CAD experience with AutoCAD for layout planning (2+ years).
• Proficiency in Excel/Google Sheets for data analysis.
• Hands-on with MES, MRP, and WMS systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end material flow strategy from suppliers to production line.
• Oversee automation projects and deployment of AGVs/ASRS and conveyors.
• Model and optimize cost, space, and throughput for material flow.
• Collaborate with IT to design digital systems and ensure data integrity.
• Develop Lean factory layouts and safe, efficient processes.

Skills

Analytical abilities

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Excel

Google Sheets

MES

MRP

WMS

Job description

The Material Flow Engineering Manager at Company 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. (Company software)
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

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 characterized by ambiguity.

Preferred Qualifications

• An MBA or master’s degree.
• Experience working with Yard Management Systems (YMS).
• Experience with modeling or simulation software (Flexsim, AnyLogic, etc.) and data visualization tools (MS PowerBI).
• Ability to understand Engineering and Design direction and provide focused supply-chain solutions accordingly