Materials Coordinator (ARL)

Penn State University; State College (Centre County); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Penn State University’s Applied Research Laboratory in State College, PA seeks a Materials Coordinator to support procurement, inventory control, and logistics for DoD-related programs. The role collaborates with engineering, program management, and procurement across multiple departments to ensure on-time material delivery and audit readiness.

The position requires a Bachelor's degree and 3+ years of relevant experience, with emphasis on inventory management, MRP/ERP systems, and compliance

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 3+ years of relevant experience in inventory, procurement, or equivalent.
• Experience in physical and digital inventory management in manufacturing, lab, or engineering environments.
• Hands-on with MRP/ERP systems; ability to become a power user in Atlas.
• Strong digitization, standardization, and centralization of technical inventory documentation (BOMs, build records).
• Knowledge of purchase requisitions, PO tracking, vendor coordination, and lead-time data.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with engineers, program teams, and property personnel; manage competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with suppliers, buyers, engineers, and program teams to obtain materials and monitor delivery schedules.
• Maintain organized warehouses and secure storage to maximize inventory accuracy and safety.
• Maintain electronic records supporting inventory, procurement, and audits; prepare reports for reviews.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Procurement, and Finance to resolve material availability and scheduling issues.
• Ensure compliance with FAR, DFARS, ITAR/EAR, and government property requirements.

Skills

Inventory & Material Control

MRP/ERP System Proficiency

Documentation & Data Organization

Procurement & Supply Chain Basics

Organizational & Communication Skills

Security/Eligibility for Govt. info

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Atlas

PLM/TeamCenter

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

We are searching for a Materials Coordinator to join our Supply Chain Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. The Supply Chain Department is dedicated to keeping our researchers researching by providing bridges between researchers, the business office and suppliers.

ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

You will:

• Support procurement activities by coordinating with suppliers, buyers, engineering personnel, and program teams to obtain required materials, monitor delivery schedules, resolve shortages, and support Requests for Quotations (RFQs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and vendor performance evaluations
• Ensure the organization of warehouses, stockrooms, and secure storage locations that maximize inventory accuracy, safety, security, material preservation, and operational efficiency
• Maintain accurate electronic records supporting inventory management, procurement, property accountability, shipping, receiving, quality assurance, and audit readiness; prepare reports and documentation supporting internal reviews and external audits
• Coordinate closely with Engineering, Program Management, Manufacturing, Procurement, Property Management, Security, Quality Assurance, Finance, and Shipping/Receiving personnel to resolve material availability, logistics, inventory, and scheduling issues affecting project execution
• Ensure compliance with applicable FAR, DFARS, Federal Acquisition Regulations, Government Property requirements, export control regulations (ITAR/EAR), quality management standards, and University policies governing procurement, logistics, and material management
• May supervise staff, including hiring, onboarding, training, work assignment, performance management, and professional development

Required skills/experience areas include:

• Inventory & Material Control Experience - Demonstrated background in physical/digital inventory management, receiving, issuing, cycle counting, and reconciliation in a manufacturing, lab, or engineering environment.
• MRP/ERP System Proficiency - Hands-on experience setting up or operating an MRP/ERP system (item masters, BOMs, transactions, multi-location inventory); ability to quickly become a power user in Atlas
• Documentation & Data Organization - Strong skills in digitizing, standardizing, and centralizing technical/inventory documentation (BOMs, build records, part numbering) with high attention to accuracy and traceability
• Procurement & Supply Chain Basics - Working knowledge of purchase requisitions, PO tracking, supplier/cost/lead-time data capture, and vendor coordination.
• Organizational & Communication Skills - Ability to work cross-functionally with engineers, supply chain staff, and government property personnel; capable of managing competing priorities during a high-intensity setup phase
• Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher and may be subject to a government background investigation to upgrade clearance eligibility, if required

Preferred skills/experience areas include:

• Government property/serialization tracking and compliance requirements
• Familiarity with PLM/TeamCenter or similar CAD-linked data management systems
• Background supporting engineering or R&D programs (understanding of BOM-to-build linkage)
• Prior experience in a defense, aerospace, or government-funded research environment
• Building or maintaining vendor databases within an MRP/ERP toolCross-training/backup role experience (supporting multiple programs or acting as a shared resource)

Your working location will be fully on-site, located in State College, PA Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process. This position may require periodic travel to remote locations in support of testing as part of a small team of researchers, engineers, and technologists.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree

3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted

Required Certifications:

None

ARL's purpose is to research and d