Senior Materials Manager

Cascade Engineering; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

401K with match

Life Insurance

Paid Time Off

Onsite Medical Clinic

Weekly Pay

Employee Discount Programs

Quarterly Bonus Program

Job summary

Cascade Engineering in Grand Rapids, MI seeks a Senior Materials Manager to lead inventory, scheduling, and logistics across the business, driving smarter processes and a data-driven supply chain. You will standardize workflows, partner with Purchasing, Operations, and Planning, and mentor a high-performing team in a servant leadership culture.

You will oversee KPI reporting, drive continuous improvement, and champion PFEP across facilities while aligning with the company’s Triple Bottom Line

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Operations, or related field with 5+ years of progressive experience in materials management, supply chain, or capacity planning.
• ERP experience (QAD or equivalent) with strong understanding of materials planning and inventory control.
• Proven ability to lead and develop teams and drive performance.
• Strong analytical capabilities and data-driven decision making.
• Experience managing key supply chain metrics including on-time delivery and inventory accuracy.
• Excellent communication and collaboration across cross-functional teams.
• Advanced Microsoft 365 and Excel skills.
• Ability to manage complex operational challenges in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead material planning, scheduling, and supplier release processes across the organization.
• Standardize material flow processes to improve efficiency and visibility.
• Coordinate with Purchasing, Operations, and Demand/Capacity Planning to align supply with production needs.
• Support capacity planning to ensure material readiness and mitigate constraints.
• Communicate customer requirements and supply chain priorities across teams.
• Promote PFEP adoption in collaboration with Cascade Enterprise Systems/Lean Management.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Leadership

Communication skills

ERP / supply chain systems

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Operations, or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

QAD ERP

Excel

WMS / TMS systems

Microsoft 365

Job description

Cascade Engineering is a Family of Companies that invests in our triple bottom line philosophy - People, Planet and Profit. We have been in business for over 50 years in Grand Rapids, Michigan. We manufacture injection molding/plastic products for automotive, office furniture, polymer compounding, waste and recycling industries. We focus on driving organizational excellence through a people centered leadership culture based on the principles of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

Are you looking for a positive and encouraging environment? Are you seeking a position where you are included, recognized and celebrated? You belong here! Are you excited for what is ahead? We are too!

Scope of Responsibility

Own the flow of everything! This role is all about keeping materials moving, teams aligned, and performance climbing. As our Senior Materials Manager, you’ll lead inventory, scheduling, and logistics across the business while driving smarter processes, stronger results, and a more efficient supply chain every day. You’ll partner cross-functionally, turn data into action, and standardize how work gets done across our facilities.

Grounded in the principles of the 7 Habits and a servant leadership mindset, you’ll build and develop a high-performing team, strengthen relationships across the organization, and lead with integrity while continuously improving how we operate.

Location

West Plant at 5055 36th St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI. 49512

Target Pay

The target starting base salary for this position is $87,663,000.00 - $131,813.00 / year (plus quarterly bonus incentive). Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Cascade Engineering considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead the execution and continuous improvement of material planning, scheduling, and supplier release processes across the organization
• Standardize material flow processes across the organization to improve efficiency, visibility, and consistency
• Partner with Purchasing, Operations, and Demand/Capacity Planning to ensure alignment of supply with customer requirements and production needs
• Support and influence capacity planning activities to ensure material readiness and mitigate supply constraints
• Promote organizational alignment by effectively communicating customer requirements and supply chain priorities across cross-functional teams
• Drive adoption of PFEP (Plan for Every Part) in collaboration with CES (Cascade Enterprise Systems/Lean Management)

Logistics and Warehousing

• Oversee warehouse, shipping, and logistics operations to ensure efficient product flow and on-time delivery to customers
• Drive performance against key logistics metrics, including on-time delivery and ASN accuracy
• Support the implementation and optimization of TMS, WMS, and ERP systems to enhance logistics efficiency and visibility
• Collaborate cross-functionally to resolve complex operational challenges and improve overall service performance
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance throughput, reduce waste, and improve customer satisfaction

Inventory Control

• Oversee inventory control processes and ensure accuracy, integrity, and alignment with organizational needs
• Drive standardization of inventory management practices, including ABC classification and cycle counting processes
• Monitor and improve inventory-related KPIs, including inventory accuracy, turns, and overall performance metrics
• Minimize inventory write-offs through improved controls, proactive management, and cross-functional collaboration
• Utilize data analysis to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities related to inventory performance

Leadership, Performance and Continuous Improvement

• Own and report materials and supply chain KPIs in leadership forums; drive accountability and performance improvement initiatives
• Lead, mentor, and develop supply chain team members, building organizational capability and bench strength
• Provide training and guidance across materials, inventory, and scheduling functions to strengthen execution consistency
• Lead and support supply chain improvement initiatives, using data-driven insights to deliver measurable results
• Actively contributes to cross-functional projects by providing analysis, reporting, and subject matter expertise
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance team environment focused on operational excellence and customer service
• Perform additional responsibilities as needed to support business objectives

Culture Bearer

• Understands and supports the values of the Triple Bottom Line (TBL)
• Exhibits high moral and ethical standards and high integrity
• Values people regardless of their background
• Exhibits the traits of a servant leader
• Exhibit the principles of 7 Habits and Emotional Intelligence
• Encourages open dialogue and communication
• Develops high trust relationships within all levels of the organization

At Cascade Engineering, we welcome and celebrate diversity and inclusion. We are committed to fostering an authentic workplace where everyone belongs and thrives, and we look forward to welcoming candidates who are enthusiastic about contributing to our community. We recognize that women and people of color are often underrepresented in manufacturing and want to see this change. When making hiring decisions, we believe in considering the whole person and the life experiences they bring to our teams. Our diversity drives our innovation and has been integral to our success.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Business, or a related discipline, with a minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in materials management, supply chain, or capacity planning; OR high school diploma with 10+ years of directly related experience
• Demonstrated experience working within ERP systems (QAD or equivalent), with strong understanding of materials planning, inventory control, and supply chain processes
• Proven ability to lead and develop teams, with a track record of driving performance, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Strong analytical capabilities with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and translate insights into actionable solutions
• Experience managing and improving key supply chain metrics, including inventory accuracy, on-time delivery, and material flow efficiency
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams
• High level of proficiency in Microsoft 365, including advanced Excel skills (data analysis, reporting, and KPI tracking)
• Strong problem‑solving and decision‑making skills, with the ability to manage complex operational challenges in a fast‑paced environment

Preferred

• Master’s degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Business Administration, or a related field
• APICS/ASCM certification (CPIM, CSCP) or equivalent professional certification
• Experience implementing or optimizing ERP, WMS, or TMS systems
• Background in Lean principles or continuous improvement methodologies (PFEP, Kaizen, Six Sigma, etc.)
• Experience in a multi-site manufacturing environment
• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance - Starting on Day 1
• Life Insurance (Company Paid and Supplemental)
• 401K with match – Starting on Day 1
• Flex Spending and Health Savings Accounts
• Quarterly Bonus Program
• Paid Time Off
• Employee Assistance Program
• Short- and Long-Term Disability (Company Paid)
• Onsite Medical Clinic
• Weekly Pay
• Childcare Assistance (Tri-Share)
• Attendance Recognition Program
• Voucher programs for Safety Shoes and Prescription Safety Glasses
• Employee Discount Programs
• Employee Referral & Retention Bonus Program