Material Management Specialist

Aston Carter•Minneapolis, MN

6d•$140,000 - $165,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Materials Management Specialist leads inventory management, production planning, logistics coordination, and Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) activities across multiple manufacturing sites. This role serves as the key link between demand forecasts, material availability, production schedules, and operational execution in a lean manufacturing environment. The position oversees inventory and production control functions, manages production planning resources across multiple plants, and drives continuous improvement initiatives that enhance cost efficiency, productivity, inventory optimization, and on-time delivery performance.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, Operations Management, Materials Management, or a related field.
At least 5 years of experience in Production Planning, Inventory Control, Materials Management, Supply Chain, or Manufacturing Operations.
Proven experience leading production planning or supply chain teams within a manufacturing environment.
Strong understanding of production scheduling, including the ability to build and manage master production schedules.
Deep knowledge of inventory management principles and practices, including inventory accuracy and optimization.
Experience with capacity planning and demand planning in a manufacturing setting.
Hands-on experience with Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) processes.
Strong analytical skills with advanced proficiency in Excel, including the ability to read, extract, and interpret data and present it to large groups.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite for communication, analysis, and reporting.
Ability and willingness to travel periodically to division manufacturing facilities, with total travel up to approximately 25%.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively across all organizational levels, both verbally and in writing.
Ability to make data-driven recommendations and drive change in a complex, multi-site environment.

Nice To Haves

APICS/ASCM certification such as CPIM, CSCP, or an equivalent credential.
Experience supporting multiple manufacturing plants in a multi-site environment.
Experience working with SAP or similar enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.
Background in Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement methodologies.
Demonstrated experience leading inventory reduction and cost savings initiatives.
Experience with production control and logistics functions in a discrete manufacturing environment.
Ability to remain calm and effective under pressure while managing competing priorities.
Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and communicate effectively up and down the organization.
Proven track record of making strategic and tactical recommendations and successfully driving change.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain division-wide production plans and master schedules that support customer demand and business forecasts.
Align manufacturing capacity, labor, material availability, and equipment resources to achieve customer service, productivity, and inventory objectives.
Coordinate and prioritize production activities across multiple manufacturing facilities to ensure efficient use of resources and timely order fulfillment.
Manage production schedules across weekly, monthly, and long-range planning horizons, proactively resolving scheduling conflicts caused by material shortages, engineering changes, labor constraints, machine availability, and changing business priorities.
Lead all inventory control activities, including inventory strategy, inventory accuracy, records management, and material planning processes.
Partner closely with Procurement to ensure timely replenishment of raw materials and components that support uninterrupted production.
Drive inventory optimization and reduction initiatives while maintaining or improving customer service levels.
Monitor inventory performance, analyze trends, and adjust stock levels based on changing business conditions and production requirements.
Lead the monthly S&OP processes for the division, ensuring alignment between demand forecasts and supply capabilities.
Translate sales forecasts into executable production and inventory plans that support both short-term requirements and long-term growth objectives.
Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Sales, Procurement, Engineering, and Finance to balance demand and supply and resolve constraints.
Develop material and production strategies that support business growth, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
Direct and mentor Production Control and Logistics team members across multiple manufacturing locations, providing guidance, coaching, and performance feedback.
Provide leadership and support to production planning and inventory control personnel, ensuring consistent processes and best practices.
Build strong working relationships across operations, supply chain, engineering, quality, finance, and commercial teams to support shared goals.
Foster a collaborative, accountable, and continuous improvement-focused culture within the production control and logistics functions.
Identify and implement process improvements that drive cost savings, productivity enhancements, inventory reductions, and service level improvements.
Support and promote Lean Manufacturing initiatives across the division to streamline workflows and eliminate waste.
Analyze operational and supply chain data, develop insights, and present recommendations to leadership to improve planning effectiveness and overall performance.
Lead strategic projects that improve supply chain performance, scalability, and responsiveness to changing market demands.
Develop reports and dashboards that measure inventory, production, service, and operational performance across sites.
Monitor key supply chain metrics, analyze trends, and communicate performance and improvement opportunities to division leadership.
Use advanced Excel skills and other analytical tools to extract, interpret, and present data clearly to large groups and stakeholders.
Effectively communicate across all organizational levels, influencing decisions and driving change in support of supply chain and operations strategies.