Materials Inventory & Planning Team Lead

Dana Corp; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Dana seeks a Materials Team Lead in Fort Wayne to supervise material handlers and clerks, ensuring timely delivery, proper storage, and accurate material tracking. The role emphasizes safety, productivity, and continuous improvement in material flow and inventory accuracy.

Responsibilities include leading API and cycle counting, managing planner teams, and acting as the liaison between the plant and suppliers. Develop SOPs, KPIs, and reports to drive efficiency and accuracy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or 4+ years of applicable experience.
• 7+ years of experience in manufacturing or materials roles.
• MRP experience required; SAP/Ariba/eMaint/AS/400 experience preferred.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate material handlers and clerks to ensure timely delivery and accurate material tracking.
• Oversee API (Annual Physical Inventory) and cycle counting; manage counts and adjustments.
• Plan material flow for the Fort Wayne plant and liaison with suppliers.
• Develop SOPs and reports for planning activities, KPIs, and procedures.
• Oversee inbound receipt variances and ensure invoice accuracy.

Skills

Leadership

Continuous improvement

Root cause analysis

Conflict resolution

MRP/SAP experience

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree

4+ years applicable experience

Tools

SAP

Ariba

eMaint

Epicor (AS/400)

Job description

Dana is a global leader in the supply of highly engineered driveline, sealing, and thermal-management technologies that improve the efficiency and performance of vehicles with both conventional and alternative-energy powertrains. Serving two primary markets - passenger vehicle and commercial truck equipment - Dana provides the world's original-equipment manufacturers and the aftermarket with local product and service support through a network of nearly 100 engineering, manufacturing, and distribution facilities.

Job Purpose

To lead and coordinate the work of material handlers and clerks, ensuring timely delivery, proper storage, and accurate tracking of materials. The Material Team Lead serves as the frontline supervisor for the materials team, promoting safety, productivity, and continuous improvement in material flow and inventory accuracy.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Inventory

• Annual Physical Inventory (API)
  • Leads the effort in planning, organizing, and facilitating the API
  • Ensures the inventory accuracy meets the variance targets
  • Ensures that the API is completed when expected and during allotted timeframe
• Cycle Counting
  • Manages 3 hourly cycle counters and the cycle counting process
  • Reviews ABC's and ensure counts are done timely and accurately
  • Investigates and makes inventory adjustments as needed within the authority level of the role.
  • Ensure that the accuracy of the system through the supervision of the cycle counters and monitoring of the inventory levels.
• Inventory KPI's
• Planning
  • Manages the 3 salary planners for the Fort Wayne plant ensuring the proper flow of material into the plant to support production while still maintaining inventory targets
  • Be the Liaison between the plant and the supplier
  • Build standard operating instructions and procedures for planning activities, KPI's, and reports.
  • Analyze all incoming international and domestic material shipments and communicate root causes for delays.
  • Analyze and adjust material requirements to firm orders with suppliers
  • Trains planners on proper planning methods and tools taking advantage of best practices throughout Dana.

Inbound Receipt Reconciliation

• Oversee the receipt variances and reconciliations allowing for timely payment of invoices
• Develop system to ensure what is being received physically matches invoice

Education and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or 4+ years of applicable experience
• 7+ years of experience

Skills

• Lead, coach, and mentor a team of manufacturing personnel to ensure efficient production operations.
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance production quality and reduce costs.
• Perform root cause analysis and resolve problems.
• Handle conflict resolution and perform problem-solving as necessary.
• MRP Experience is required - experience with SAP, Ariba, eMaint, AS/400 (Epicor) is preferred.
• Demand Planning methodologies
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel & PowerPoint).
• Knowledge of procurement activities.
• Must be able to work effectively with others.
• Ability to learn quickly and adapt.
• Must have effective communication and analytical skills.
• A minimum of two years' experience in production/inventory control in manufacturing environment is preferred.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

Unsolicited Resumes from Third-Party Recruiters

Please note that as per Dana policy, we do not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters unless such recruiters were engaged to provide candidates for a specified opening. Any employment agency, person or entity that submits an unsolicited resume does so with the understanding that Dana will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion without any fee owed to the submitting employment agency, person or entity.