Material Control Specialist

Illuminate USA•Pataskala, OH

About The Position

Illuminate USA is a solar panel manufacturer in Pataskala, Ohio. The Material Control Specialist manages material resources for manufacturing operations, planning and monitoring material-related activities to support efficient production. The role manages the Material Resource Plan (MRP) and inventory levels to meet production needs while minimizing excess stock and costs. It includes material demand planning, inventory turnover management, purchase requisitions, material cost control, and coordination with cross-functional teams to meet project requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
3–5 years of experience in material control, inventory management, or supply chain management in a manufacturing environment.
Experience using MRP or ERP systems.
Bilingual in English and Chinese (Mandarin), with the ability to conduct meetings and calls in both languages.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills focused on material cost control and inventory management.
Proficiency in ERP systems and the MS Office Suite, including Excel and Word.
Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with attention to detail.
Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with cross-functional teams.
Knowledge of inventory turnover and safety stock principles.
Strong understanding of warehouse management and material tracking systems.
Strong knowledge of MRP systems and processes.
Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks and priorities.
Experience with cost-saving initiatives and materials budget management.
Strong ownership and accountability for effective materials management.
Willingness and ability to participate in evening calls or meetings with suppliers and partners in Asia due to time zone differences.

Nice To Haves

Manufacturing supply chain experience in the solar or renewable energy sector.

Responsibilities

Prepare the annual material budget plan based on production requirements and financial targets.
Use ERP systems to generate the Material Resource Plan (MRP) for material requests and procurement.
Ensure timely and accurate purchase requisition requests in alignment with production schedules.
Maintain safety stock levels to ensure production continuity.
Monitor and improve inventory turnover, warehouse accounting, and material tracking accuracy.
Coordinate with the Logistics team on incoming materials and inventory levels to prevent excess stock and support efficient use.
Implement cost-control strategies to keep material costs within budget.
Monitor material cost trends and provide analysis and recommendations to reduce material expenditure.
Work with project management, procurement, production, and other functions to resolve material-related issues.
Align material planning and inventory control with project timelines and goals.