Materials Manager

Steel Warehouse; South Bend, Northern (IN, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Steel Warehouse in South Bend, IN seeks an SB Unit Materials Manager to oversee full lifecycle inventory within a defined gauge/product range, driving data-driven analysis, accuracy, and supplier performance. The role emphasizes proactive improvement and cross-functional coordination with Sales, Quality, and Operations.

Responsibilities include optimizing material utilization, maintaining ERP data integrity, leading continuous improvement projects, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent required or preferred.
• Minimum 3–5 years’ sales and/or steel material experience within the steel service center spectrum is desirable.
• Experience with inventory management and/or ERP systems is required.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; data-driven approach preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication across departments and locations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee full lifecycle inventory within assigned gauge/product range.
• Coordinate with Sales, Quality, and Operations to drive upstream corrective actions.
• Review and optimize material utilization and profitability.
• Maintain data accuracy and reporting integrity across inventory, quality, and claims systems.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives and leverage Lean Six Sigma principles where applicable.
• Manage supplier/mill relationships and evaluate performance using scorecards.

Skills

Excel

Power BI

Data analysis

ERP systems

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

ERP systems

Inventory management

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

Education & 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