Materials Manager

Generac Power Systems•Beaver Dam, WI

About The Position

The Materials Manager is responsible for material flow from receiving and inspection through line-side presentation for production, including end-of-line picking, packing, and shipping. The role drives a safe work environment, continuous improvement, waste elimination, efficiency improvements, reduced forklift requirements in material handling, cycle counting, and timely transactional reporting. It also supports improved internal and external delivery performance and uninterrupted material movement for production through efficient use of labor resources. The manager oversees inventory management and control, warehousing operations, material presentation, and the material-handling team. The role includes leading improvement initiatives, developing team members, coordinating with customers, suppliers, and corporate materials teams, and managing area resources within budget and staffing parameters. The position may involve occasional travel.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Supply Chain, or equivalent experience.
Five years of progressive operations management experience in a similar work environment.
Transformational leadership using lean principles and Plan for Every Part.
Demonstrated understanding and application of lean manufacturing principles.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to collaborate with multiple sites.
Ability to operate in high-mix, low-volume and high-volume, low-mix production environments.
Ability to manage shifting deadlines and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Strong quantitative skills and ability to analyze, think, and communicate using well-supported data.
Demonstrated understanding of financial measurements and goals.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and data analysis skills.
Ability to meet the described physical demands, including occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience using SAP or an equivalent ERP system.
Experience in international logistics.
Transformational leadership using lean principles.

Responsibilities

Work with the material-handling team to ensure material flow from incoming receiving and inspection, including offsite raw-material warehousing, to production line-side presentation and end-of-line pick, pack, and ship.
Create and manage a Plan for Every Part (PFEP) database for day-to-day operations.
Design and implement lean, pull-based systems.
Manage daily operations using supermarkets, two-bin Kanban, tugger routes, point-of-use delivery, and 5S practices.
Manage material flow involving work-in-process markets and pull-based replenishment linked to production scheduling, level scheduling (heijunka), changeover optimization, and runner/repeater/stranger replenishment.
Oversee inventory management and control, accuracy, and inventory guidelines and procedures.
Ensure efficient and accurate materials presentation to support production operations.
Oversee execution of processes for excess and obsolete materials.
Manage and optimize daily warehousing operations across multiple shifts, including staging, cycle counting, receiving, material storage, shipping finished goods, and handling indirect materials.
Mentor and guide project team members to meet project and program requirements.
Liaise and collaborate with customers and suppliers to resolve product or program manufacturing quality issues.
Lead or participate in Failure Mode Effect Analysis teams.
Plan and lead refresher activities and forums for continual learning.
Work with the corporate materials team on strategy and process implementation.
Lead continuous improvement events related to making material flow.
Respond positively and support changes in procedures, processes, technology, responsibilities, and assignments.
Define resource needs and work within budget and staffing parameters to accomplish area objectives.
Supervise the material-handling team, including forklift drivers and material supervisors; interview, hire, train, coach, and develop direct reports.
Act as an SAP super user within the assigned functional area.