Materials Supervisor

Tata Technologies Ltd.; Sterling Heights (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Tata Technologies Ltd. in Sterling Heights, MI seeks an experienced Material Area Supervisor to lead hourly teams that unload, store, and deliver materials to support production in a high-volume automotive plant.

You will drive safety, quality, delivery, and productivity goals, coach leaders, and partner with UAW-represented staff to sustain efficient material flow in a unionized setting. The role requires adaptability across shifts and a strong focus on World Class Manufacturing principles to

Qualifications

• Previous supervisory or team-leadership experience in manufacturing.
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills.
• Ability to motivate and support hourly employees in a unionized workplace.
• Experience in materials management, shipping/receiving, or warehouse operations.
• Familiarity with World Class Manufacturing (WCM), Lean, or Continuous Improvement.
• Onsite role in an automotive manufacturing facility.
• Willingness to work any shift, including weekends and overtime.

Responsibilities

• Lead hourly material handling teams responsible for shipping, receiving, inventory, and material delivery.
• Drive safety initiatives and ensure compliance with all safety standards.
• Manage performance across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and morale.
• Coordinate daily activities to meet objectives and KPIs.
• Apply WCM tools to improve material flow, reduce waste, and lower costs.
• Develop and coach Team Leaders and Team Members for continuous improvement.
• Monitor inventory accuracy and maintain record integrity for production needs.
• Investigate downtime events, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure timely material delivery to support production schedules.
• Foster positive relationships with management and UAW-represented employees.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Team leadership

Problem solving

Communication skills

Unionized environment experience

Materials management

Shipping/receiving

Lean / WCM / CI knowledge

Shift flexibility

Job description

The Material Area Supervisor is responsible for leading hourly teams that unload, store, and deliver materials to support production operations within a high-volume automotive manufacturing assembly plant. This role oversees material flow activities while ensuring safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and employee engagement goals are met in a unionized manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support hourly material handling teams responsible for shipping, receiving, inventory management, material delivery, and Hi-Lo/Forklift operations.
• Drive safety initiatives and ensure compliance with all company safety standards and procedures.
• Manage the safety, quality, delivery, cost, and morale performance of assigned work teams.
• Coordinate daily team activities to achieve business objectives and key operational metrics.
• Utilize World Class Manufacturing (WCM) principles and tools to improve material flow, increase productivity, reduce waste, and lower manufacturing costs.
• Develop Team Leaders and Team Members through coaching, training, and performance management while fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Monitor inventory accuracy and maintain record integrity to support production requirements.
• Investigate production downtime events, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions to minimize future disruptions.
• Ensure customer satisfaction by maintaining efficient material delivery processes that support production schedules.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with both management and UAW-represented employees.
• Lead multiple work teams in a fast-paced, high-volume manufacturing environment while demonstrating company Leadership Principles.

Key Must Have's:

• Previous supervisory, team leadership experience preferred.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills.
• Ability to support and motivate hourly employees in a unionized workplace.
• Prior experience in a supervisory role within materials management, shipping/receiving, warehouse operations, logistics, or manufacturing.
• Experience working in a UAW or unionized environment preferred.
• Familiarity with World Class Manufacturing (WCM), Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, or similar operational excellence methodologies is a plus.
• Onsite position within an automotive manufacturing facility.
• Must be available to work any shift, including days, afternoons, midnights, weekends, and overtime as required.
• Regular schedule consists of 9-hour shifts, with additional hours based on business needs.