Materials Manager

Kewaunee Scientific Corporation; Statesville (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Kewaunee Scientific Corporation in Statesville, NC seeks an experienced Inventory/Materials Manager to coordinate receipt, restocking, and verification of internal material requirements for on-time production. You will lead Kanban and replenishment programs, manage cycle counts, and optimize stock levels to reduce waste and costs.

The role emphasizes team leadership, ERP-driven control of labor hours, and driving continuous improvements in inventory accuracy and efficiency to support

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university in Industrial/Operations management.
• Associate degree and 2 years related experience; High School Diploma or equivalent with 4+ years of related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with ERP systems and inventory optimization is required.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate receipt, restocking, and inventory verification to ensure timely delivery to production lines.
• Utilize business systems to monitor inventory levels, identify shortages, and generate signals for replenishment actions.
• Track inventory turns and drive improvements through reduction initiatives and optimized stocking strategies.
• Lead Kanban, min-max, VMI, and other replenishment programs to ensure material availability.
• Develop and implement SOPs for efficient movement of materials and finished goods.

Skills

ERP experience

Leadership

Inventory control

Communication

Lean principles

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's in Industrial/Operations management

Associate degree + 2 years related experience

High School Diploma + 4+ years related experience

Tools

Word

Excel

Outlook

ERP system

Job description

Summary

Coordinate the receipt, restocking, and inventory verification of internal material requirements to ensure timely and accurate delivery to production lines. Oversee inventory optimization, including the management of excess and obsolete materials, cycle counting programs, receiving and transfer dock operations, and maintaining appropriate safety stock levels. Maintain detailed records and enforce cost-control procedures, with a strong focus on loss prevention through continuous monitoring, analysis, and reporting. Lead, coach, and develop the team responsible for material flow and inventory processes, while managing labor efficiencies, direct labor hours, and overtime (OT%) to meet operational and financial targets. Manage and optimize material replenishment systems, including Kanban, min-max, vendor managed inventory (VMI), discrete ordering, and consignment programs. Ensure consistent on-time, line-side delivery of materials to support uninterrupted production and operational efficiency. Oversee and manage timed delivery routes to improve flow, accuracy, and responsiveness. Drive initiatives to reduce transportation waste, streamline material movement, and lower overall handling costs. Continuously identify and implement inventory reduction strategies and process improvements to enhance efficiency, improve inventory turns, and support overall operational performance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Coordinate the receipt, restocking, and inventory verification of internal material requirements to ensure timely and accurate delivery to production lines, including reliable on-time, line-side delivery to support manufacturing efficiency.
• Ensure adequate inventory levels are maintained and determine material, and capacity needs to meet expected demand across the materials team.
• Utilize business systems to monitor inventory levels, identify shortages, and generate timely signals for response and replenishment actions.
• Manage and optimize inventory performance, including tracking inventory turns and driving improvements through inventory reduction initiatives and optimized stocking strategies.
• Oversee inventory optimization efforts, including management of excess and obsolete materials, and develop processes to eliminate waste and reduce overall inventory levels.
• Conduct and manage cycle count programs in accordance with company policies, resolving discrepancies and ensuring inventory accuracy and timely execution.
• Maintain, analyze, and ensure accuracy of inventory records through continuous monitoring, reporting, and system discipline.
• Enforce cost-control procedures with a strong focus on loss prevention and operational efficiency.
• Notify appropriate managers of shortages, risks, or issues that could impact manufacturing or material flow. 10. Lead, coach, and develop the team responsible for material flow, including assigning responsibilities and priorities for Kanban and material coordinators, while managing labor efficiencies, direct labor hours, and overtime (OT%) to meet operational and financial targets.
• Manage and optimize material replenishment systems, including Kanban, min max, vendor-managed inventory (VMI), discrete ordering, and consignment programs to ensure efficient and reliable material availability ·
• Lead Kanban system administration, including signals, pull systems, audits, and corrective actions to ensure system effectiveness across the facility.
• Oversee and manage timed material delivery routes to improve material flow, accuracy, responsiveness, and line-side support while reducing transportation waste and handling inefficiencies.
• Develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure efficient movement of materials and finished goods while maintaining minimal inventory investment.
• Lead lean material flow and inventory management initiatives, proactively identifying and eliminating waste in all material handling processes.
• Apply structured problem-solving methodologies (PDCA, 8D) and lead improvement projects (A3) to drive operational excellence.
• Promote team engagement by encouraging idea generation and participation in cost reduction, quality improvement, and process improvement initiatives.
• Instruct and support manufacturing staff on proper procedures for locating, handling, and utilizing production inventory.
• Implement, maintain, and advance 5S standards within materials and inventory area
• Continuously identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, improve inventory accuracy, and support overall operational performance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility

Manage processes and teams for the department staff, such as receiving, stockrooms, warehouse, material coordination and inventory.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Proficient in Word, Excel, and Outlook and experience with an ERP system.
• Strong proven leadership; mentoring and coaching skills.
• Inventory and product control experience required
• Good communication skills to interact with other departments
• Understands manufacturing process, flow and lean principles.
• Monitors and ensures quality of work.
• Self-directed and sense of ownership.
• Valid Driver’s License

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university in Industrial/Operations management; Associate degree and 2 years related experience; High School Diploma or equivalent with 4 + years of related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Language Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor analysis.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to: walk, talk, and hear. The employee is frequently required to: use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, sit, and stand. The employee is occasionally required to lift to 25 lbs., climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, twisting, and turning and taste or smell. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts, and outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in office setting, but the employee would frequently work in hearing protected areas up to and including 85 decibels.

Health and Safety Responsibilities

Adhere to all safety rules and procedures. Bring unsafe acts and conditions to the attention of the manager. Correct hazards and unsafe conditions. Train other associates in safe work practices. Investigate accidents, near-accidents, and potential hazards. Actively participates in housekeeping act ivities and in safety.

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.