Materials Manager

Diversified Recruitment Services, LLC; Normal (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Diversified Recruitment Services, LLC is seeking an experienced Materials Manager to lead plant materials, inventory, and supply chain operations in a fast-paced automotive JIT environment. You will drive Lean, Kaizen initiatives and develop a high-performing materials team to ensure uninterrupted material flow.

The role requires overseeing production planning, procurement, warehousing, logistics, and supplier management, with strong ERP/MRP (SAP/Oracle) experience and advanced Excel skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain/related field.
• Minimum 5 years leading materials or supply chain in automotive JIT.
• Experience managing JIT material flow in high-volume manufacturing.
• Experience supervising and developing teams of 10+ employees.
• Strong knowledge of inventory, planning, procurement, logistics, and supplier management.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems such as SAP or Oracle.
• Advanced Excel skills for data analysis and reporting.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001 and IATF 16949.
• Excellent communication, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead plant materials and supply chain operations to support production schedules.
• Maintain uninterrupted material flow and optimal inventory levels.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, and continuous improvement across materials.
• Manage procurement, warehousing, and logistics activities.
• Collaborate with suppliers to ensure on-time delivery and quality.
• Utilize ERP/MRP systems to manage inventory, planning, and reporting.
• Develop inventory strategies balancing service, production needs, and cost.
• Monitor KPIs and identify efficiency improvements.
• Ensure ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 compliance.
• Lead and mentor a materials team to foster accountability and improvement.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Production, Engineering, Quality, Purchasing, Leadership.
• Prepare and present operational reports using advanced Excel.

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Microsoft Excel

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Materials Manager to lead all aspects of plant materials, inventory, and supply chain operations within a fast-paced, JIT automotive manufacturing environment. This leadership role is responsible for ensuring uninterrupted material flow, optimizing inventory levels, supporting lean manufacturing initiatives, and developing a high-performing materials team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all plant materials and supply chain operations to support production schedules and customer demand.
• Ensure uninterrupted material flow while maintaining optimal inventory levels and minimizing waste.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, and continuous improvement initiatives throughout the materials organization.
• Manage production planning, inventory control, procurement, warehousing, and logistics activities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers to ensure on-time delivery and quality performance.
• Utilize ERP/MRP systems (SAP, Oracle, or similar) to manage inventory, planning, and reporting.
• Develop inventory strategies that balance customer service, production requirements, and cost.
• Monitor key performance indicators and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and productivity.
• Ensure compliance with ISO 9001, IATF 16949, and company quality standards.
• Lead, coach, mentor, and develop a team of materials professionals while fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Production, Engineering, Quality, Purchasing, and Senior Leadership to achieve plant objectives.
• Prepare and present operational reports using advanced Excel and Microsoft Office tools.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience leading materials or supply chain operations within an automotive JIT manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated success managing Just-In-Time (JIT) material flow in a high-volume manufacturing setting.
• Experience supervising and developing teams of 10 or more employees.
• Strong knowledge of inventory management, production planning, procurement, logistics, and supplier management.
• Experience working with ERP/MRP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or similar platforms.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills with the ability to analyze data and develop meaningful reports.
• Knowledge of automotive quality systems including ISO 9001 and IATF 16949.
• Excellent communication, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Proven employment stability with a strong track record of success and career progression.

Preferred Qualifications

• APICS certifications (CPIM or CSCP)
• Experience leading Lean Manufacturing and Kaizen initiatives.
• Strong background in change management and continuous improvement.