Materials Manager

Dana; Tennessee; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Dana in Tennessee is seeking an experienced manufacturing leader to oversee production schedules, lead planning, and drive Lean initiatives across the materials value stream. You will coordinate with suppliers and logistics partners to ensure timely, cost-efficient material flow while maintaining inventory targets and high production reliability.

Responsibilities include managing shifts, developing KPIs, and collaborating with engineering, maintenance, and other departments to meet production

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• Minimum 10 years in manufacturing/production leadership.
• Strong knowledge of Lean principles (5S, Kaizen) and material planning.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the execution of manufacturing schedules.
• Lead production planning and scheduling; develop replenishment systems to ensure material availability and reduce inventory.
• Implement and manage cycle count systems for accurate inventory transactions.
• Apply Lean concepts to reduce WIP/inventory and improve material flow.
• Develop supplier relationships and metrics; monitor performance and drive corrective actions.
• Manage daily order fluctuations and collaborate with logistics partners for best-cost transportation.
• Ensure alignment of inventory levels with forecasts for production and customer service.
• Support business planning, capital improvements, and production capacity projections.
• Lead environmental material initiatives and safety items.
• Coordinate with operations, engineering, maintenance, and other departments to achieve production goals.
• Prepare cost, production, labor, quality, and facility reports.
• Ensure timely, economical receipt of materials and compliance with plant standards.
• Drive continuous improvement culture within Materials team.
• May work across multiple shifts and weekends as required.
• Plan, organize, integrate, and measure department work.
• Provide leadership and development opportunities for team members.

Skills

Leadership & Team Management

Lean Manufacturing

Inventory & Materials Management

SAP experience

ERP/MRP systems

Financial acumen

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree or 4+ years of applicable experience

10+ years of experience

Tools

SAP

Job description

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Dana is a global leader in the supply of highly engineered driveline, sealing, and thermal-management technologies that improve the efficiency and performance of vehicles with both conventional and alternative-energy powertrains. Serving two primary markets – passenger vehicle and commercial truck equipment – Dana provides the world's original-equipment manufacturers and the aftermarket with local product and service support through a network of nearly 100 engineering, manufacturing, and distribution facilities.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee the execution of manufacturing schedules.
• Lead production planning and scheduling. Develop best practice material replenishment systems to ensure material availability to achieve production plan while meeting inventory reduction targets.
• Implement and manage cycle count systems to ensure accuracy of inventory transactions throughout the entire inventory value stream.
• Utilizes Lean concepts to reduce and manage WIP and inventory and improve material flow.
• Develop strategic relationships with suppliers to ensure continuous supply at the best value. Develop supplier performance and quality metrics, monitor supplier performance, and drive corrective actions as required.
• Manage daily order volume fluctuations to ensure customer Scorecard targets are achieved. Work closely with preferred logistics partners to determine best cost material transportation.
• Ensures controls, inventory levels and flow of materials are consistent with forecasts for manufacturing and customer service requirements.
• Assists in formulation of business plan including capital improvements and projection of plant production capabilities.
• Lead all environmental material initiatives and material safety related items.
• Coordinates with production operations, engineering, maintenance and other departments in the accomplishment of production goals.
• Prepares reports and analysis of various cost control, production, labor, quality, facility usage and other reports.
• Ensures prompt and economical receipt of materials, supplies and parts. Ensures that plant standards and requirements are met.
• Champion Materials team DOS activities to establish a continuous improvement culture.
• Will be required to work across multiple shifts and/or weekends as determined by plant manager or designate.
• Plans, organizes, integrates and measures the work performed within the department.
• Ensure appropriate leadership and development of his/her team: define clear objectives, allocate resources, monitor activities, allocate fair rewards, provide developmental opportunities etc.

Education and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or 4+ years of applicable experience
• 10+ years of experience

Skills

• Leadership and Team Management – Ability to lead, motivate, and manage a team in a fast-paced production environment.
• Continuous Improvement and Lean Manufacturing – Skilled in identifying inefficiencies and applying Lean principles (e.g., 5S, Kaizen) to improve processes.
• SAP experience preferred.
• Experience in a manufacturing environment, union experience preferred.
• Inventory and Materials Management – Complete understanding of production planning, proficient in managing material flow, inventory control, and using ERP/MRP systems.
• Must have ability to work with statistical analyses and possess financial acumen.
• Proven problem-solving skills and the ability to handle multiple projects and deadlines.
• Ability to influence, escal…
• Track record of innovative and creative approach to drive cost reduction.
• Strong track record of lean implementation.
• Strong strategic thinking skills.
• Exemplary interpersonal and communication skills, with demonstrated people management abilities and ability to work in a team environment.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

Unsolicited Resumes from Third-Party Recruiters

Please note that as per Dana policy, we do not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters unless such recruiters were engaged to provide candidates for a specified opening. Any employment agency, person or entity that submits an unsolicited resume does so with the understanding that Dana will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion without any fee owed to the submitting employment agency, person or entity.

Join our team of 28,000 problem solvers who are fostering a culture of innovation by leveraging the diverse perspectives of our global team. We believe in facing challenges head-on by finding opportunity and uncovering possibility, where roadblocks and barriers become targets instead of obstacles. We are One Dana with limitless opportunity.