Fruehauf

Description

  Position Summary

The Materials Manager is responsible for leading all material planning, inventory control, purchasing coordination, warehouse operations, and production material support activities. This role ensures that raw materials, components, and purchased goods are available to support production schedules while maintaining optimal inventory levels and cost controls.

The Materials Manager will oversee the material releasing process, material rafting (kitting/staging) process, inventory accuracy, purchasing activities, and material flow throughout the facility. This position leads a team of 3-5 employees consisting of Material Handlers, Buyers, and Purchasing Agents and serves as a key liaison between Operations, Engineering, Production, Quality, and Suppliers.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Material Planning & Inventory Management

• Develop and manage material requirements to support production schedules and customer demand. 
• Monitor inventory levels and implement strategies to minimize shortages, excess inventory, and obsolescence. 
• Analyze inventory trends, usage patterns, and forecasting data to ensure material availability. 
• Maintain accurate inventory records and cycle count programs. 
• Establish and monitor inventory KPIs, including inventory turns, accuracy, shortages, and carrying costs. 

Material Releasing Process

• Manage and oversee the material releasing process to ensure timely release of materials to production. 
• Coordinate with Production, Engineering, Purchasing, and Warehouse teams to ensure material readiness. 
• Review production schedules and validate material availability prior to release. 
• Identify and resolve material constraints that may impact production schedules. 
• Implement process improvements to increase efficiency and accuracy of material releases. 

Material Rafting (Kitting/Staging) Process

• Lead the material rafting process by ensuring materials are properly staged, organized, and delivered to production areas. 
• Develop standardized kitting and staging procedures to improve manufacturing efficiency. 
• Ensure materials are available at the point of use to support production flow. 
• Collaborate with production teams to optimize material presentation and reduce downtime. 
• Monitor rafting effectiveness and implement continuous improvement initiatives. 

Warehouse & Material Flow

• Oversee receiving, storage, and distribution of materials throughout the facility. 
• Ensure proper material handling practices and inventory control procedures. 
• Optimize warehouse layout and material flow to improve productivity and reduce waste. 
• Ensure FIFO (First In, First Out) inventory management practices are followed when applicable. 

Leadership Responsibilities

• Directly supervise a team of 1-5 employees, including Material Handlers, Buyers, and Purchasing Agents. 
• Provide leadership, coaching, training, and performance management for assigned team members. 
• Establish department goals and performance expectations aligned with company objectives. 
• Conduct performance evaluations and support employee development plans. 
• Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, safety, and continuous improvement. 

Purchasing & Supplier Management

• Lead purchasing activities to ensure timely procurement of materials, supplies, and services required for manufacturing      operations. 
• Review and approve purchase requisitions and purchase orders. 
• Collaborate with suppliers to ensure on-time delivery, quality performance, and cost competitiveness. 
• Monitor supplier performance and resolve delivery, quality, and service issues. 
• Support supplier negotiations and strategic sourcing initiatives. 
• Work closely with Engineering and Operations on new product launches, engineering changes, and supplier transitions. 
• Identify cost-saving opportunities through supplier development, inventory optimization, and process improvements

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve inventory accuracy, material flow, and production support processes. 
• Utilize Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, and problem-solving methodologies to drive improvements. 
• Participate in cross-functional projects involving ERP systems, process improvements, and operational excellence initiatives. 
• Support implementation and optimization of ERP/MRP systems.

Requirements

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Business Administration, Logistics, Engineering, or      a related field required. 
• Equivalent manufacturing materials management experience may be considered in lieu of a degree on a case-by-case basis. 
• APICS, CPIM, CSCP, CPSM, or similar professional certifications preferred.

Experience

• 5+ years of experience in materials management, inventory control, supply chain, or manufacturing operations. 
• 3+ years of leadership experience in a manufacturing environment. 
• Demonstrated experience with material releasing processes and material rafting/kitting/staging processes. 
• Experience working within ERP/MRP systems. 
• Experience in trailer manufacturing, automotive, heavy equipment, or similar manufacturing environments preferred. 

Systems & Technical Knowledge

• Experience utilizing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems in a manufacturing environment required. 
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 preferred. 
• Strong understanding of Material Requirements Planning (MRP), inventory management, purchasing, and production planning within an      ERP environment. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including data analysis, reporting, and inventory tracking. 
• Ability to analyze and interpret Bills of Material (BOMs), inventory reports, demand forecasts, and production schedules.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Inventory Accuracy 
• Material Availability to Production 
• Production Material Shortages 
• On-Time Material Releases 
• Inventory Turns 
• Warehouse Productivity 
• Cycle Count Accuracy 
• Supplier Delivery Performance 
• Material Rafting/Kitting Accuracy 
• Production Downtime Due to Material Issues 

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in both office and manufacturing environments. 
• Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout the production facility for extended periods. 
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds. 
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).