Materials Associate Jobs in Thomaston, GA (NOW HIRING)

Role Snapshot

Oglethorpe Power is seeking a proactive, detail-driven Material Management Specialist (Specialist I through Senior Material Management Specialist) to support reliable operations at our combined-cycle facility in Forsyth, Georgia. In this key role, you will lead sourcing activities, strengthen supplier relationships, and oversee warehouse and inventory workflows to ensure critical materials, equipment, and services are available to meet operational, maintenance, and outage requirements. This position offers the opportunity to directly impact plant reliability, cost efficiency, and long-term asset performance while partnering cross-functionally with plant operations, maintenance, and supply chain leadership.

What you'll do

• Purchase inventory, materials, supplies, parts, equipment, and off-site services from qualified and available resources at the best value consistent with Corporate/ Supply Chain Services policies for OPC power plant facilities.
• Identifies potential new suppliers for materials and off-site services.
• Manage warehouse(s) at plants in receiving, storing, staging, and shipping material as needed to support ongoing plant operation's planned outages, unplanned outages, and maintenance activities.
• Ensure accurate documentation of all inventory transactions – including receipts, issues, transfers, and bin movements.
• Monitor and manage inventory levels in the database to ensure product availability.
• Maintain good working relationships with department, corporate, and plant staff.
• Support the supply chain in special projects, recycling, and investment recovery.
• Perform quarterly cycle counts and support the annual OPC inventory.
• Work with plant personnel to ensure the accuracy of materials received.
• Take action on quarterly cycle counts and participate in annual inventories.
• Work with each plant's inventory champion, plant personnel, and on-site plant management to ensure accuracy of materials received, put away, issued, and/or returned.
• Support management of off-site inventory.
• Provide Expertise on Maximo Integration effort.

• Support Plant Operations in their Planning and Scheduling efforts as it relates to Supply Chain
• Provide strategic direction to the department regarding sourcing for plant Operations.
• Report on Materials purchasing and inventory activity for the department.
Materials and Warehousing
• Issue, return, receive, unload, inspect, label, store, stage, load, and ship materials.
• Maintain accurate inventory records and provide reports as requested.
• Dust, clean, and maintain warehouse and storage areas to comply with good business practices and safety regulations.
• Prepare for and perform full annual inventories, as well as quarterly cycle count inventories, and report on the activities associated with these inventories.
• Work with plants to manage the creation of new item masters in the materials database.
• Support the department's investment recovery effort.

Purchasing
• Source materials as requested and provide details to requesters.
• Purchase materials and remain actively involved with the order until the material is received, invoices paid, and the purchase order closed.
• Attend necessary trade shows and meet with vendors to receive product and service informational materials.

Departmental
• Attend and participate in scheduled trainings, departmental, plant, and safety meetings.
• Provide Maximo guidance to fellow associates as it relates to dealing with Supply Chain Services.
• Support the Maximo Business Integration effort.
• Provide management with data analysis and report information (as needed)
• Provide leadership and guidance to other materials personnel within the organization.
• Maintain good working relationships with department and plant staff.

Education and Experience

Education: A High School diploma or equivalent is required. Bachelor's degree in business or technology-related field preferred
Experience: 6+ years' experience in purchasing commodities, services, and materials management, including experience in warehousing, purchasing, and inventory control. Experience will help determine which job level.
Equivalent Experience: An associate's degree in a related discipline, with four (4) years of progressive responsibilities in purchasing and materials management, or a bachelor's degree in a related discipline, with two (2) years of progressive responsibilities in purchasing and materials management. Equivalent experience will help determine which job level.

Skills and Knowledge

• Proficient Word, Excel, Outlook & SharePoint skills
• Basic math skills
• Ability to perform the basic life operational functions of climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, and lifting up to 50 pounds required
• Ability to comprehend instruction from technical manuals, journals, technical literature, drawings, in addition to capability communicate effectively in verbally and in writing
• Ability to operate motorized material handling equipment
• Some knowledge of safety procedures for handling hazardous materials
• Decision-making capabilities, working knowledge of materials logistics
• Maximo software experience desired. Familiarity with Inventory Management tools
• CPM or CPSM Certification required for highest job level.
• Basic Supervisory and management skills required for highest job level.
• Must be knowledgeable of basic material accounting rules as they relate to inventory management

• Must be able to manage emergency calls from plant personnel at all hours of the day or night

Licenses, Certifications, and/or Registrations:
• Valid driver's license that meets the insurance eligibility requirements under Oglethorpe Power's Driver Qualification Program.
• Forklift certification required
• Certified Purchasing Manager Certification (CPM) or Certified Professional Supply Chain Manager Certification (CPSM) preferred
Travel: Up to 20% depending upon plant assignment
Unusual hours required of this position: Periodic overnight travel to other sites, conferences, etc.