Materials Manager

Dana Corp; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Dana is seeking a Materials Manager to oversee procurement, storage, and distribution of materials for manufacturing operations. The role focuses on ensuring materials are available on time, managing supplier relationships, and optimizing inventory to support efficiency and cost control.

Responsibilities span coordinating with production, engineering, and maintenance, leading a high-performance materials team, and driving continuous improvement in material flow and cycle counts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or 4+ years of applicable experience.
• 10+ years of experience.
• In-depth understanding of production scheduling, customer service, engineering & quality functions.
• Experience in a unionized work environment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee manufacturing schedules and ensure compliance with production, test, development, documentation, and safety standards.
• Apply Lean concepts to reduce WIP, inventory, and improve material flow.
• Maintain controls and inventory levels aligned with forecasts for manufacturing and customer service.
• Assist in business planning including capital improvements and plant production capability projections.
• Coordinate with production, engineering, maintenance and other departments to meet production goals.
• Lead environmental material initiatives and material safety-related items.

Skills

Leadership

Lean manufacturing

Inventory management

Education

Bachelor's degree or 4+ years experience

10+ years experience

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

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 oversee the procurement, storage, and distribution of materials required for manufacturing operations, ensuring that the right materials are available at the right time and in the right quantity. The Materials Manager plays a strategic role in managing supplier relationships, optimizing inventory, and aligning material availability with production demands to support operational efficiency, cost control, and customer satisfaction.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversees the execution of manufacturing schedules and assures the application of all production, test, development, documentation and safety standards.
• Utilizes Lean concepts to reduce and manage WIP and inventory and improve material flow.
• Ensures controls, inventory levels and flow of materials are consistent with forecasts for manufacturing and customer service requirements.
• Assists in formulation of business plan including capital improvements and projection of plant production capabilities.
• Coordinates with production operations, engineering, maintenance and other departments in the accomplishment of production goals.
• Prepares reports and analysis of various cost control, production, labor, quality, facility usage and other reports.
• Ensures prompt and economical receipt of materials, supplies and parts. Ensures that plant standards and requirements are met.
• Conducts studies to ensure the plant continues to operate in a cost efficient manner as technology, legal, regulatory policy and product changes are implemented.
• Performs those administrative activities necessary for the effective management of the department, including selection and development of employees, budget administration, employee counseling and motivation, and organization goals and objectives.
• Plans, organizes, integrates and measures the work performed within the department.
• Performs other duties as required.
• Lead production planning and scheduling. Develop best practice material replenishment systems to ensure material availability to achieve production plan while meeting inventory reduction targets.
• Develop strategic relationships with suppliers to ensure continuous supply at the best value. Develop supplier performance and quality metrics, monitor supplier performance, and drive corrective actions as required.
• Responsible for creating a high performance materials team. Establish team goals & action plans to achieve department objectives.
• Manage daily order volume fluctuations to ensure customer Scorecard targets are achieved. Work closely with preferred logistics partners to determine best cost material transportation.
• Implement & manage cycle count systems to ensure accuracy of inventory transactions throughout the entire inventory value stream.
• Lead all environmental material initiatives & material safety related items.

Education and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or 4+ years of applicable experience
• 10+ years of experience
• In depth understanding of production scheduling, customer service, engineering & quality functions.
• Preferred to have experience working in an unionized work environment.

Skills

• Leadership and Team Management - Ability to lead, motivate, and manage a team in a fast-paced production environment.
• Continuous Improvement and Lean Manufacturing - Skilled in identifying inefficiencies and applying Lean principles (e.g., 5S, Kaizen) to improve processes.
• Inventory and Materials Management - Proficient in managing material flow, inventory control, and using ERP/MRP systems.

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.