Supply Chain Manager

General Kinematics Corp.; Crystal Lake, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit-sharing bonus

Health and well-being programs

Job summary

General Kinematics Corp. in Illinois seeks a Supply Chain Manager to lead purchasing, inventory, warehousing, and logistics while coordinating with engineering, operations, project management, sales, and finance to meet production and delivery goals.

The role drives continuous improvement through ERP optimization, automation, and standardized processes, and requires 6+ years in supply chain with 3+ years in leadership. Some travel is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain, or related field; Master’s preferred.
• 6+ years in supply chain, purchasing, materials management, logistics, or inventory control in manufacturing.
• 3+ years leading purchasing, materials, inventory, warehouse, or logistics teams.
• Experience with inventory optimization, cycle counts, freight and carrier management, ERP/MRP systems.
• APICS certification or equivalent is a strong plus.

Responsibilities

• Execute and manage purchasing, inventory, warehousing, and logistics strategies aligned to company goals.
• Lead and mentor purchasing, inventory, and warehouse teams; oversee hiring, performance, promotions, and training.
• Drive continuous improvement through automation, ERP optimization, RFID, and standardized processes.
• Set and manage monthly, quarterly, and annual objectives; monitor KPIs and take corrective actions.
• Develop and analyze key supply chain metrics: on-time delivery, variances, inventory turns, shortages, freight cost.
• Assign responsibilities based on function while staying hands-on in key activities.
• Support development of inventory planning, material availability, and carrier performance.
• Coordinate with Operations, Engineering, Project Management, Sales, and Finance for demand vs supply alignment.
• Ensure ERP master data accuracy for purchasing, receiving, inventory movements, and warehouse ops.
• Evaluate supplier performance, risk, lead times, and continuity; develop corrective-action plans.
• Uphold safety, quality, trade and transport requirements, and regulatory compliance.
• Lead or assist contract negotiations with suppliers and logistics providers.
• Communicate cross-functionally to ensure adherence to policies.
• Build strategic supplier and carrier partnerships; monitor industry trends.
• Support ISO objectives and GKWay program.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Data-driven decisions

Travel 15%

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

Description

General Kinematics is the premier manufacturer of vibrating equipment for the processing of bulk materials. From vibratory feeders to entire process systems, General Kinematics creates the solutions customers require to process even the most difficult materials.

Supply Chain Manager

The Supply Chain Manager is a strategic and hands-on leader responsible for overseeing purchasing, inventory control, warehousing, and logistics to support company growth and operational excellence. This role serves as a key business partner to engineering, operations, project management, sales, and finance, ensuring materials and services are available to meet production and customer commitments while balancing cost, quality, lead time, inventory investment, and supply continuity.

In addition to managing supplier relationships, logistics providers, and contract negotiations, this position leads and develops the purchasing and warehouse teams, strengthens inventory accuracy and material flow, and drives continuous improvement through standardized processes, performance metrics, automation, and ERP enhancements

Job Responsibilities

• Execute and manage purchasing, inventory, warehousing, and logistics strategies in alignment with organizational goals.
• Develop, lead, and mentor high-performing purchasing, inventory, and warehouse teams; oversee hiring, performance evaluations, promotions, salary adjustments, training, coaching, and corrective action.
• Drive continuous improvement through automation, ERP optimization, RFID, inventory-control tools, and standardized processes.
• Set and manage monthly, quarterly, and annual objectives; monitor KPIs and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Develop, track, and analyze key supply chain metrics, including supplier on-time delivery, purchase price variance, inventory accuracy, inventory turns, shortages, freight cost, and warehouse performance.
• Assign responsibilities based on function and skill sets while maintaining a hands-on role in key activities.
• Support the continued development of inventory planning and logistics processes, including material availability, inventory accuracy, freight coordination, and carrier performance.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Project Management, Sales, and Finance to align demand, production priorities, supplier capacity, inventory levels, and customer delivery requirements.
• Ensure accurate and timely ERP transactions and master data for purchasing, receiving, inventory movements, material planning, and warehouse operations.
• Evaluate supplier performance, risk, capacity, quality, lead times, and continuity of supply; develop corrective-action and contingency plans when needed.
• Uphold and enforce safety protocols, quality assurance practices, trade and transportation requirements, and applicable regulatory compliance.
• Lead or support negotiations for contracts with suppliers, carriers, and logistics service providers in alignment with purchasing strategy and approval requirements.
• Communicate cross-functionally to ensure organizational adherence to purchasing policies and procedures.
• Build and sustain cross-functional relationships and strategic partnerships with suppliers, carriers, and service providers.
• Monitor industry trends, pricing fluctuations, and recommend strategic adjustments accordingly.
• Support General Kinematics' ISO objectives, policies, procedures, and the GKWay program.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or a related field required; Master's degree preferred.
• 6+ years of progressive experience in supply chain, purchasing, materials management, logistics, or inventory control within a manufacturing environment required.
• 3+ years of direct leadership experience managing purchasing, materials, inventory, warehouse, or logistics teams required.
• Demonstrated experience with inventory optimization, cycle-count programs, warehouse operations, freight and carrier management, and ERP/MRP systems required.
• Experience developing supplier scorecards, resolving material shortages, and improving service levels, lead times, inventory accuracy, and working capital preferred.
• Experience in heavy equipment manufacturing and industries such as mining, recycling, or foundry is a plus.
• APICS certification or equivalent is a strong plus.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to coach and develop teams.
• Data-driven decision-making skills with the ability to define and monitor KPIs.
• Capable of traveling up to 15%, both domestically and internationally.
• Demonstrates professionalism, objectivity, and integrity; fosters open, honest communication at all levels of the organization.

Pay

$135,000 to $150,000 paid annually. The range provided is a guideline and not a guarantee of compensation. Other factors that are involved in offer decisions include, and are not limited to a candidate's experience, qualifications, geography, and internal equity.

Benefits

The position also comes with an annual profit-sharing incentive bonus payment. Our benefit programs provide choice and flexibility to meet the needs of you and your family. This includes health and well-being, financial planning tools, career development, PTO, and more.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

EOE M/F/D/V