Material Lead
About The Position
The Materials Lead is a hands-on, working lead responsible for coordinating and executing daily material flow activities across the manufacturing and warehouse environment. This role ensures that materials are available, replenished, and controlled to support production needs throughout the facility. The Materials Lead operates across functional and physical boundaries, prioritizing work, resolving material issues in real time, and reinforcing foundational materials processes. This role works closely with the Materials Supervisor and serves as a key on-the-floor resource for both materials and production teams.
Requirements
- 2–4 years of experience in materials, inventory, or warehouse operations in a manufacturing environment
- Experience supporting material flow across multiple production or warehouse areas
- Hands-on experience with cycle counting and inventory accuracy
- Comfortable using Excel or Google Sheets for tracking and basic analysis
- Ability to operate material handling equipment as required
- Experience in high-mix or engineered-to-order manufacturing
- Exposure to Kanban, water spider, or similar pull-based material systems
- Prior experience serving as a working lead, coordinator, or go-to resource on a team
Responsibilities
- Plant-Wide Material Flow Execution
- Coordinate and support daily material movement across manufacturing and warehouse spaces
- Monitor material availability and proactively address shortages or constraints
- Respond to urgent material needs and reprioritize work as required
- Serve as the first point of escalation for material flow issues during the shift
- Inventory Control & Cycle Counting
- Execute and support cycle counting activities across the facility
- Investigate inventory discrepancies and support root cause identification
- Maintain accurate inventory records using current systems (Google Sheets initially, ERP in the future)
- Foundational Process Execution
- Execute and reinforce cycle counting, Kanban, water spider, and material replenishment processes
- Reinforce standard work, visual controls, and material handling best practices
- Working Lead Responsibilities
- Assign and adjust daily priorities for material handlers based on production needs
- Provide on-the-floor guidance, coaching, and problem-solving support
- Observe material flow and identify opportunities for improvement
- Escalate recurring issues or resource constraints to the Materials Supervisor
- Communication & Coordination
- Communicate material status, risks, and priorities with production, planning, and purchasing teams
- Provide clear updates and context to the Materials Supervisor
- Support cross-functional problem-solving related to material flow
- Safety, Organization & Discipline
- Ensure safe material handling practices are followed
- Maintain organized, clearly labeled material locations throughout the facility
- Support 5S and visual management standards
Benefits
- Competitive pay with performance incentives
- 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision
- 401(k) with company match
- 3 weeks PTO, 10 paid holidays, and 2 floating holidays
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
Number of Employees
251-500 employees
