Materials Manager

lucasmilhauptcareers; Cudahy (WI); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Paid time off

Holiday shutdown

Short-term Disability

401(k) matching

Bonus plans

Teamwork environment

Diversity and Inclusion

Job summary

Lucas Milhaupt is seeking a highly organized Materials Manager to oversee procurement, inventory planning, scheduling, and warehouse operations at our manufacturing facility. You will coordinate with production and procurement teams to ensure on-time material availability and cost-efficient delivery.

The role requires 5+ years in materials management within manufacturing, strong ERP/MRP expertise (Oracle, SAP, Microsoft Dynamics), and a track record of Lean or Six Sigma improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in materials management, supply chain, inventory planning, or procurement within manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of ERP/MRP systems, warehouse management, and inventory management software (Oracle, SAP, Microsoft Dynamics).
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Proven ability to lead and improve teams and collaborate across departments.

Responsibilities

• Promote safety as the number one priority for all employees.
• Inventory Management: develop and implement inventory control strategies; monitor turnover; reduce excess stock; ensure accuracy with ERP/MRP systems.
• Material Planning and Scheduling: forecast requirements; align with production goals; ensure on-time material availability; minimize downtime.
• Warehouse Management: oversee daily activities; ensure accuracy of inventory; implement best practices and safety protocols.
• Procurement and Supplier Management: evaluate suppliers; negotiate contracts; ensure quality, cost, and delivery performance.
• Process Improvement and Cost Reduction: identify opportunities; apply Lean Six Sigma; reduce material costs.
• Compliance and Reporting: ensure regulatory compliance; generate reports on inventory and supplier performance; provide data-driven recommendations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Materials management

ERP/MRP systems

Inventory planning

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Team leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering

Tools

Oracle

SAP

Microsoft Dynamics

Job description

Who we are

At Lucas Milhaupt, we develop next-generation material joining solutions that are propelling industries forward. Join with the Best and become part of a team that rewards continuous improvement, celebrates diversity, and propels every team member toward personal and professional growth.

We are passionate about creating a culture where every voice is heard, every idea considered, and every success celebrated. We believe in the power of career development and the transformative impact it can have on individuals and communities.

As we continue to grow and expand as a company, we are actively seeking diverse and talented individuals who share our passion for material joining and want to be part of a journey that encourages personal and professional growth.

At Lucas, our focus is on our people – the key to our success. Our goal is to offer employees an unparalleled experience, with opportunities to grow and improve the quality of their lives and the lives of their families.

Is This For You?

We are seeking a highly organized and experienced Materials Manager to oversee the procurement, inventory management, planning, and scheduling of materials within our manufacturing facility. This role is critical in ensuring the timely and cost-effective acquisition of raw materials while maintaining optimal inventory levels to meet production demands. The Materials Manager will collaborate with cross-functional teams to streamline material flow, improve efficiency, and reduce costs within the supply chain. This position will have three direct reports.

How Would You Accomplish This?

• Promote Safety as the number one priority of all employees.
• Inventory Management
  • Develop and implement inventory control strategies to ensure accurate stock levels.
  • Monitor inventory turnover, reduce excess stock, and minimize material shortages.
  • Utilize ERP/MRP systems to track and manage material usage and inventory accuracy.
• Material Planning and Scheduling
  • Develop material planning and scheduling strategies to align with production goals.
  • Work closely with production and procurement teams to forecast material requirements.
  • Ensure on-time material availability to support production schedules and minimize downtime.
  • Balance supply and demand to optimize material flow and reduce carrying costs.
• Warehouse Management
  • Indirectly oversee daily warehouse activities, including receiving, inventory transfers, storage, picking, staging, and shipping.
  • Implement and maintain best practices in warehouse management, including safety protocols, compliance, movements, labeling, and bin location systems.
  • Ensure accuracy of inventory and proper flow of materials into production.
• Procurement and Supplier Management
  • Source, evaluate, and manage relationships with suppliers to secure quality materials at competitive prices.
  • Support the negotiation contracts, pricing, and lead times to optimize procurement efficiency.
  • Ensure supplier performance meets quality, cost, and delivery expectations.
• Process Improvement and Cost Reduction
  • Identify opportunities to enhance material flow, reduce waste, and optimize supply chain processes.
  • Implement Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other methodologies to improve efficiency.
  • Drive initiatives to reduce material costs while maintaining high-quality standards.
• Compliance and Reporting
  • Ensure compliance with industry regulations, safety standards, quality standards, and company policies.
  • Generate reports and analyze data on inventory levels, material usage, and supplier performance.
  • Provide recommendations based on data insights to enhance materials management strategies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Work Environment: This role typically works in a mixed environment of the office and manufacturing floor and may require infrequent travel (<10%) to suppliers or the Warwick RI facility.

What Are We Looking For?

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or related.
• 5+ years of experience in materials management, supply chain, inventory planning, or procurement within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of ERP/MRP systems, warehouse management, and inventory management software (e.g. Oracle, SAP, Microsoft Dynamics)
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Proven ability to lead and improve teams and collaborate across departments.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other process improvement methodologies is a plus.

What We Offer:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits
• Paid holidays in additional to paid time off
• December 24th – January 1st organizational holiday shut down
• Short Term Disability at no cost to the employee
• 401 (k) plan with company matching
• Quarterly and annual bonus plans
• A supportive work environment built on teamwork, respect, integrity, and commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion Employee Resource Group

EEO Statement:

We offer equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. We also provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state or local law. If you require assistance or reasonable accommodation in completing this application or during any aspect of the application process, please contact Human Resources at 414.769.6000.