Materials Manager

Air Distribution Limited; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Air Distribution Technologies, Inc. is seeking a Materials Manager in Lexington, KY to lead plant-wide material flow and procurement. You will drive planning, inventory control, and supplier relations to support manufacturing operations.

The role requires a 7+ year background in materials management within manufacturing, strong negotiation skills, and proficiency with ERP systems and MS Office. Travel is noted as needed for supplier coordination.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or 10+ years in Materials Management required.
• Minimum 7 years of materials management experience in a manufacturing setting.
• Experience negotiating material contracts and managing supplier relationships.
• Proficiency with MS Office; advanced Excel preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Purchasing, Shipping/Receiving, Production Scheduling and Inventory Control.
• Develop and manage production schedules to optimize utilization and meet lead times.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing and Engineering to ensure material availability.
• Establish Kanban systems and consignment programs for lean material flow.
• Negotiate and manage inbound/outbound transportation contracts.
• Coordinate off-site inventory and outside processing operations.
• Drive cost reductions via strategic sourcing and supplier partnerships.
• Develop departmental budgets and manpower plans.
• Ensure compliance with Code of Conduct, ethics and safety, including monthly safety observations.
• Leverage ERP systems and analytics to improve inventory accuracy and reduce lead times.

Skills

Materials planning

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Management or related

10 years of experience in Materials Management in lieu of a degree

Tools

ERP systems

AS400

MS Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Locations

Lexington, KY 40509, USA

• Travel Required: Yes

Description

Ruskin, a subsidiary of Air Distribution Technologies, Inc., is seeking a Materials Manager to lead plant-wide efforts ensuring a consistent, economical, and timely flow of raw and purchased materials to support manufacturing operations. This role is critical to meeting customer needs and expectations through effective planning, procurement, and inventory control strategies.

What You'll Do:

• Serve as a key member of the Plant Staff, overseeing Purchasing, Shipping/Receiving, Production Scheduling, and Inventory Control functions.
• Develop and manage production schedules to optimize equipment and personnel utilization while meeting lead times and delivery commitments.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing and Engineering teams to ensure timely material availability for customer demand fulfillment.
• Establish and maintain Kanban systems and consignment programs to support lean material flow.
• Negotiate and manage transportation contracts for inbound and outbound logistics.
• Coordinate off-site inventory locations and outside processing operations.
• Drive cost-reduction initiatives for raw materials and purchased parts through strategic sourcing and supplier partnerships.
• Develop departmental budgets and manpower plans.
• Ensure compliance with company Code of Conduct, Business Ethics, and safety standards, including conducting monthly safety observations and training for direct reports.
• Leverage ERP systems and supply chain analytics to improve inventory accuracy and reduce lead times.

What We’re Looking For:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Accounting, or Industrial Management or related degree.
• In lieu of a degree, 10 years of experience in Materials Management is required.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in Materials Management within a manufacturing facility with progressive responsibilities or leadership role.
• Proven experience in negotiating material contracts and managing supplier relationships.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint) and email systems. Experience with advanced Excel functions is preferred.
• Experience with ERP systems and supply chain optimization tools. Experience with AS400 is preferred.
• Experience with Kanban systems, blanket purchasing agreements, and consignment programs is preferred
• Familiarity with ESG Supply Chain Management practices and vendor quality processes is preferred.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies is preferred.

This position is primarily performed in a manufacturing plant environment, where employees will be exposed to moderate to loud noise levels and operate near heavy machinery. The role may require standing for extended periods and performing physical activities such as crouching, kneeling, stooping, and reaching. Occasional lifting of materials or equipment weighing up to 75 pounds may be necessary. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Travel Required

Yes . 10%

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.