Materials & Paint Leader

Barry-Wehmiller•Phillips, WI

About The Position

Responsible for the general supervision, direction, and coordination of the materials (stores) & paint areas to meet production schedules, quality, and cost objectives. Oversee inventory operations, ensuring optimal stock levels, and maintaining efficient material flow to support production and customer demand. This role requires strong leadership, analytical skills, and collaboration across departments to drive operational excellence and cost efficiency. This position requires a highly motivated individual who demonstrates initiative and a strong commitment to continuous improvement. The Materials & Paint Leader will lead efforts to enhance safety, cost efficiency, quality, delivery, and customer satisfaction, ensuring performance meets or exceeds expectations. Additionally, the Materials & Paint Leader is responsible for developing and mentoring the team, building technical skills, leadership capability, and engagement to support long-term success. This includes coaching, training, and creating growth opportunities to enhance bench strength and sustain high performance. The role carries full responsibility for results in terms of costs, methods, and personnel, and will champion continuous improvement initiatives throughout the department. With significant impact on overall business performance, this leader will drive operational excellence and foster a culture of innovation.

Requirements

Knowledge of inventory management and processes.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; be able to independently solve problems while interacting with various teams and teammates on daily process and flow.
Ability to bring together a team with a shared vision of delivering results and embracing the culture of the organization.
Strong foundation with continuous improvement tools, A3 Problem Solving, Managing for Daily Improvement (MDI), Root Cause and Corrective Measures (RCCM), Kaizen and Lean Principles, Standard Work Development.
Drive engagement and ownership at all levels and the ability to lead cross-functional teams.
Possess data-driven decision making to analyze and interpret data to identify trends, root causes, and improvement opportunities.
Make informed decisions based on verified metrics.
Leverage visual management tools (dashboards, KPI boards) to communicate performance clearly.
Drive accountability by using data to set targets, monitor progress, and adjust strategies.
Proficient in implementing visual boards (e.g., SQDC or KPI dashboards) in the assembly area to track daily performance.
Conducting daily stand-up meetings using these boards to review progress and address variances.
Set clear targets and color-code status for quick visibility and encourage team ownership by assigning metric updates to frontline leaders.
Ability to manage a large, diverse team with a substantial impact on the company business.
Proficiency in MS Office.
General understanding of functions with ERP system.
Strong skills in high level capacity planning, scheduling systems, staff and training plans.
Must be capable of multi-tasking various duties throughout the day, have a positive attitude with an ability to be versatile and flexible.
High school diploma or GED required.
Typically requires a minimum of 5+ years’ management level experience with significant team interactions and proven team growth.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent preferred.

Responsibilities

Analyze forecasts and coordinate schedules to meet delivery requirements; follow progress of work and advise/instruct team members.
Arrange for shifting of manpower in order to minimize overtime, reduce costs, and plan for emergencies.
Make effective recommendations for changes in work force to meet changing conditions.
Develop and implement inventory control procedures to optimize stock levels, minimize costs, and reduce waste.
Work closely with purchasing and production teams to ensure timely availability of materials and products.
Track turnover rates, analyze trends, and address issues affecting operational efficiency or financial performance.
Lead stores operations to meet production schedules, quality standards, and cost objectives.
Champion lean practices and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance safety, quality, and delivery performance.
Work with frontline leaders and group leaders to determine unusual conditions requiring attention and coordination.
Develop and mentor team members through coaching, training, and career growth opportunities.
Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, and operational excellence.
Maintain liaison with other departments to expedite flow of materials into area in order to complete orders and schedules as planned.
Maintain accuracy of stores inventory; assist/instruct personnel as necessary to maintain proper workflow through the department.
Review costs and work methods and take action or make recommendations to reduce costs and improve operations.
Identify obstacles to achieving expectations and engage/lead team to understand reason for impediment and implement sustainable countermeasures to mitigate/eliminate recurring obstacles.
Develop strategy and plan to meet long term growth requirements of the business.
Enforce company rules and regulations; maintain harmonious relations with employees; address grievances per company policy; take prescribed disciplinary action as required; make recommendations for hires, promotions, transfers, dismissals.
Prepare reports related to assigned area; maintain all necessary records and files.
Attend production and other meetings as required.
Embrace and exemplify the guiding principles of leadership and leadership fundamentals.