Materials Supervisor

Slate Auto•Warsaw, IN

About The Position

At Slate, we’re building safe, reliable vehicles that people can afford, personalize and love—and doing it here in the USA as part of our commitment to reindustrialization. The spirit of DIY and customization runs throughout every element of a Slate, because people should have control over how their trucks look, feel, and represent them. | WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR Slate is seeking a highly organized Material & Warehouse Supervisor to oversee material and inventory management, as well as material conveyance within factory and warehouse operations in a fast-paced automotive manufacturing environment. This role ensures efficient handling, storage, and distribution of materials, supporting production schedules and minimizing supply disruptions. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills, warehouse management expertise, and hands-on experience overseeing material operations. They will ensure optimal inventory levels, timely deliveries, and seamless coordination with logistics, procurement, suppliers, and production teams. This role collaborates with Manufacturing, Logistics, Procurement, Suppliers, and Manufacturing Operations to maintain efficiency, accuracy, and compliance in material and warehouse management.

Requirements

8+ years related experience with Bachelor's degree, 6 years with Master's degree, 3 years with PhD or equivalent experience
Experience in warehouse management, material supervision, or supply chain operations in the automotive industry.
Experience leading warehouse teams, including hourly material and warehouse staff.
Hands-on experience with ERP/WMS/MES systems, such as SAP, Oracle, or Plex.
Strong knowledge of warehouse operations, material handling, and inventory control.
Experience with ERP/WMS/MES systems for tracking and forecasting material availability.
Familiarity with Lean manufacturing, JIT, Kanban, kitting & sequencing, and process efficiency improvements.
Proven ability to lead warehouse teams, ensuring smooth material movement and operational efficiency.
Strong cross-functional collaboration with suppliers, logistics, production, and procurement teams.
Excellent communication and coordination skills to maintain warehouse accuracy and efficiency.
Ability to troubleshoot material shortages, resolve warehouse inefficiencies, and optimize storage solutions.
Strong numerical and analytical skills for inventory tracking and planning.
Knowledge of automotive supply chain regulations, warehouse safety standards, and compliance requirements.
Understanding of production scheduling, supplier agreements, and warehouse best practices.

Responsibilities

Supervise warehouse staff, including hourly material and warehouse team members, ensuring proper material handling, storage, and stock movement.
Manage material flow and inventory control, ensuring availability for production while minimizing excess.
Train, mentor, and support hourly team members, fostering a productive and efficient work environment.
Coordinate with suppliers and procurement teams to manage purchase orders, replenishment schedules, and lead times.
Optimize inbound and outbound shipments, collaborating with logistics teams.
Utilize ERP/WMS/MES systems to track material availability, consumption rates, and replenishment cycles.
Conduct inventory audits and cycle counts to maintain accurate stock levels.
Maintain accuracy with all material transactions.
Implement Lean manufacturing principles, including Just-in-Time (JIT), Kanban, and pull systems.
Identify and resolve supply chain disruptions, material shortages, and warehouse inefficiencies.
Ensure material dock, conveyance, and warehouse safety procedures, proper storage practices, and compliance with industry regulations.
Lead shift scheduling and workforce planning to align resources with production demands.
Monitor material operations KPIs, team performance, provide coaching, and ensure adherence to company policies.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance warehouse efficiency and material handling operations.