Senior Manager , Materials

GE Appliances, a Haier company•Decatur, AL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Materials is an area business leader responsible for leading and developing the hourly Materials team to ensure reliable material flow in support of production operations. The role partners closely with Manufacturing and Quality to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance through lean continuous improvement. It owns day-to-day material availability and scheduling execution using Oracle EBS, builds a problem-solving culture through structured tools, and reinforces standard work and visual management. The position also champions safety, leads EHS improvement initiatives, supports quality objectives through materials processes, and drives variable-cost productivity to achieve plant goals. Working conditions are normal for both an office and manufacturing environment. Work may involve lifting materials and products up to 25 pounds. Work in the manufacturing environment requires safety equipment, including safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, and work shoes or boots. The company says employees may work with their leader to create a flexible work arrangement that balances individual, team, and organizational needs.

Requirements

At least 5 years of leadership experience in a manufacturing environment, including supplier management and project implementation, with demonstrated technical acumen across supply chain functions such as manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, materials, quality, procurement, and fulfillment; or graduation from the GE Appliances Supply Chain Development Program or GearUp.
Demonstrated leadership experience in a unionized manufacturing environment, leading both salaried and hourly teams.
Ability to collaborate in cross-functional environments to meet operational and customer requirements.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities and execute in a fast-paced manufacturing setting.
Results-driven mindset, with use of analytical and structured problem-solving methods and consistent follow-through.
Experience leading team-based projects and driving change through influence and collaboration.
Working knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement practices.
Strong technical aptitude relevant to materials, manufacturing, and supply chain operations.
Effective written, verbal, and presentation communication skills at all organizational levels.
High initiative, energy, and accountability, with demonstrated ability to develop within a team-based environment.
Legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and able to maintain authorization without current or future employer or school sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

BS/BA degree preferred, ideally in industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, or electrical engineering, or equivalent.
Six Sigma certification preferred, with strong knowledge of Lean, DMAIC, workout, and other change mechanisms.

Responsibilities

Coach, lead, and develop the hourly Materials team, including team leaders, to ensure reliable material flow and achieve plant goals.
Partner with Manufacturing and Quality to improve safety, ergonomics, scrap, downtime, and overall operational performance.
Drive continuous improvement using lean methodologies to reduce waste and improve business KPIs.
Own day-to-day material availability and scheduling execution, using Oracle EBS to identify, troubleshoot, and resolve issues.
Communicate plant and area operational goals and use structured problem-solving tools such as A3s to define problems, track actions, and sustain results.
Coach teams on root cause analysis, prioritization, and effective escalation to build a strong problem-solving culture.
Champion the Appliance Production System by reinforcing standard work, visual management, and escalation processes while developing Materials team leaders.
Promote a strong safety culture through EHS compliance, including PPE, safety contacts, safe starts, and timely accident investigations with effective corrective actions.
Lead EHS improvement initiatives to reduce OSHA recordables and lost-time incidents and improve employee engagement and safety performance metrics.
Ensure materials processes support quality objectives and minimize Cost of Quality.
Drive variable-cost productivity by reducing labor, scrap, and overtime while improving hours per unit.
Use Oracle data and reports to identify and correct part-accuracy, inventory, and scheduling issues.