Materials Manager

STEEL WAREHOUSE CO LLC; South Bend (IN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

STEEL WAREHOUSE CO LLC in South Bend, IN, seeks an SB Unit Materials Manager to oversee full lifecycle inventory across gauge/product ranges. You will ensure receiving quality, accuracy, supplier performance, and cross-functional collaboration with Sales, Quality, and Operations, using data-driven analysis to drive upstream improvements.

This role emphasizes proactive problem solving, continuous improvement, ERP data integrity, and effective communication across Steel Warehouse locations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• 3–5 years of sales and/or steel material experience.
• Experience with inventory management and ERP systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication across locations.
• Lean Six Sigma familiarity is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Proactively manage inventory within assigned gauge/product range.
• Collaborate with Sales, Quality, Operations on data-driven actions.
• Analyze on-hand, on-hold, and aged inventory for optimization.
• Coordinate with Purchasing on supplier relationships and scorecards.
• Ensure ERP data integrity and reporting accuracy.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives with cross-dept teams.
• Maintain inventory accuracy and prevent disruptions.

Skills

Data analysis

Communication

Lean Six Sigma familiarity

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred (Business, Supply Chain, Operations, or related field)

Tools

Excel

Power BI

ERP systems

Job description

Description

Summary:

The SB Unit Materials Manager is responsible for the full lifecycle management of inventory within an assigned gauge/product range, including receiving quality, inventory accuracy, supplier (mill) performance, and cross-functional coordination with Sales, Quality, and Operations. This role combines traditional materials/inventory management with data-driven analysis and continuous improvement, driving proactive, upstream corrective actions rather than reactive inspection responses.

Objectives

• Optimize material utilization and profitability
• Manage inventory ratios to fulfill customer demand and prevent scheduling/processing disruptions
• Reduce receiving-related packaging and quality claims through proactive supplier collaboration and root-cause analysis
• Maintain data accuracy and reporting integrity across inventory, quality, and claims systems
• Support a culture of continuous improvement and cross-departmental collaboration
• Get with your department Manager when you feel it’s time to downgrade, or move material to keep cycling through material
• Assign all material in the gauge range you are assigned to, that will also include the assignment of specialty items like: Floorplate, AR450, and Customer Owned Inventory.

Major Responsibilities/Functions

• Must be proactive in situations to stop them before they become issues. Ask for assistance from Department Manager of needed
• Review material “on hold” from previous date(s) and collaborate with the sales team to make the best decision/risk analysis
• Review unplanned/planned material returned to inventory from operational processes to determine the best next step/risk scenario
• Provide timely responses to material inquiries from the sales force to maximize business opportunities
• Partner with mill technical representatives on quality/surface identification, root-cause analysis, and improvement concepts
• Track, analyze, and review “On/Off Claim at Receiving” defect rates by supplier mill; identify systemic packaging, banding, or handling failure modes (e.g., oscillation, loose wraps, telescoping) and help drive corrective action plans
• Manage daily master contract bucket changes and analyze high/low inventory ratios to make sure we are in line
• Bring any discrepancies found to the ISR, OSR, and Commercial Manager if needed to find out what the problem is.
• Manage sales backlogs daily in a timely manner to meet sales expectations and customer demands
• Review and maximize profit-and-loss (P&L) performance from previous orders to understand and enhance profitability margins
• Manage “Aged Inventory”, identifying how material can meet other applications and sales opportunities, and come up with ideas to implement using this aged material to the Department Manager
• Maintain inventory accuracy through reconciliation, and ERP system data integrity
• Coordinate with Purchasing on supplier/mill relationships, scorecards, and expedite processes
• Review all daily reports you receive, and act on them, including opportunities on Call Reports from the Outside Sales Department
• Ensure compliance with departmental SOPs, quality protocols, and applicable regulatory/customer requirements
• Promote and maintain a safe working environment in accordance with company safety standards
• Be involved in special projects from Material Department Manager
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree preferred (Business, Supply Chain, Operations, or related field); equivalent experience considered
• Minimum of 3-5 years’ sales and/or steel material experience required within the steel service center spectrum
• Experience with inventory management and/or ERP systems
• Working knowledge of data analysis/reporting tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI) preferred
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; root-cause analysis experience a plus
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including cross-communication between all departments and locations in all Steel Warehouse locations.
• Positive Team attitude. Always be part of the Solution & work with anyone needing assistance
• Proactive approach to problem identification and resolution
• Familiarity with continuous improvement / Lean Six Sigma principles a plus