Materials Manager - Production Floor
About The Position
The Inventory and Materials Manager - Production Floor leads production-floor inventory, warehouse operations, and material flow, leveraging the Steelcase Materials Strategy and Playbook, Lean Manufacturing principles, and best practices. The role ensures material availability, inventory accuracy, and efficient movement of materials to support safe, reliable, and cost-effective manufacturing operations while maintaining lean inventory levels and operational excellence. The manager partners with Production, Planning, Purchasing, Logistics, Engineering, and Finance to support schedule attainment and inventory performance. The role also establishes and improves materials policies, procedures, standard work, and performance metrics, and develops a high-performing organization through coaching, development, and accountability.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
- At least 7 years of experience in Materials Management, Inventory Management, Production Logistics, Supply Chain, or Manufacturing Operations.
- At least 3 years of leadership or supervisory experience.
- Demonstrated ability to lead teams, develop talent, and drive performance.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, material flow, inventory management, warehouse operations, and ERP/MRP systems.
- Experience with Warehouse Management Systems (WM/IM); SAP ERP is preferred.
- Experience using Kanban systems, pull systems, supermarkets, and line-side replenishment methodologies.
- Experience managing inventory accuracy through cycle counts, audits, FIFO controls, safety stock management, reconciliation processes, and corrective actions.
- Financial acumen, including budgeting, inventory investment, and project justification.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Understanding of manufacturing processes, engineering methods, capacity analysis, and operational support functions.
Nice To Haves
- APICS/ASCM certification or equivalent supply chain credential.
- Experience in a lean manufacturing environment using standard work, visual management, and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Knowledge of environmental, labor, and regulatory compliance requirements.
- Understanding of the Steelcase Quality System.
- Proven success improving inventory accuracy, warehouse performance, and material flow.
- Experience supporting make-to-order or mixed-model manufacturing environments.
- Experience with SAP ERP.
Responsibilities
- Lead warehouse operations, inventory control, material handling, and production-floor material flow.
- Maintain inventory accuracy across raw materials, work-in-process, and finished goods.
- Develop and manage supermarkets, Kanban and pull systems, FIFO controls, safety stock strategies, and point-of-use replenishment.
- Identify and resolve material shortages and supply risks that could affect production.
- Oversee cycle counts, bin audits, inventory reconciliation, and material disposition processes.
- Partner with Production, Planning, Purchasing, Logistics, Engineering, and Finance to support schedule attainment and inventory performance.
- Drive continuous improvement in material flow, inventory accuracy, labor productivity, warehouse efficiency, and working capital.
- Establish policies, procedures, standard work, and performance metrics for materials management processes.
- Lead, coach, and develop inventory, warehouse, and material handling team members.
- Anticipate and mitigate material-related risks to ensure uninterrupted production.
- Use data and metrics to support decisions and operational results.
- Champion safety, continuous improvement, inventory discipline, and operational excellence.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
