Senior Manager, Materials - 3rd Shift

GE Appliances•Decatur, AL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Materials Manager provides strategic and operational leadership for materials management, ensuring efficient material flow, production readiness, and inventory control to support plant objectives. The role leads and develops the hourly Materials team and partners with Manufacturing, Quality, Maintenance, and other cross-functional teams to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance. It oversees material availability, scheduling execution, and inventory management through Oracle EBS, using data-driven decision-making and structured problem-solving to improve operational efficiency. The manager champions Lean continuous improvement, reinforces standard work and visual management, leads EHS initiatives, and drives variable cost productivity. The role also develops frontline leaders and builds a culture of accountability so materials processes consistently support production requirements and long-term operational excellence. Work takes place in office and high-volume manufacturing environments, with regular presence on the production floor. The position supports third-shift operations and requires leadership during overnight production hours. Employees must navigate the manufacturing environment and follow safety requirements, including using personal protective equipment. Occasional lifting of materials or products weighing up to 25 pounds may be required.

Requirements

At least 5 years of leadership experience in a manufacturing or supply chain environment, with demonstrated success leading teams, implementing projects, and improving operational performance.
Technical and operational knowledge across supply chain functions, including materials management, manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, procurement, quality, and fulfillment.
Ability to lead in a fast-paced, high-volume manufacturing environment while balancing safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives.
Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills, including identifying root causes, implementing corrective actions, and delivering sustainable results.
Ability to lead cross-functional initiatives, influence stakeholders, and drive process improvements through collaboration and accountability.
Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
Experience leading Materials or Supply Chain operations in high-volume manufacturing, including responsibility for material availability, inventory accuracy, production scheduling, and operational performance.
Leadership experience in a unionized manufacturing environment, including development of hourly employees and frontline leaders.
Experience using ERP systems, preferably Oracle EBS, for materials planning, inventory control, scheduling, and operational reporting.
Working knowledge of Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, DMAIC, A3 problem-solving, and other continuous improvement methodologies.
Ability to improve operational KPIs such as material availability, inventory accuracy, production downtime, labor productivity, overtime, scrap, and cost performance.
Strong organizational and prioritization skills and the ability to make timely decisions and manage competing demands.
Demonstrated success leading team-based projects, implementing process changes, and sustaining improvements through standard work, visual management, and accountability.
Strong communication and presentation skills to convey operational priorities, performance expectations, and improvement plans across organizational levels.
Initiative, adaptability, and accountability, with a commitment to employee development, workplace safety, and continuous improvement.
Ability to work the designated third-shift schedule and provide operational leadership during overnight production hours.
Ability to navigate the manufacturing environment and comply with safety requirements, including wearing required personal protective equipment.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States at hire and maintain authorization without current or future employer or school sponsorship; the company will not sponsor employment-based visas for this position.

Nice To Haves

Six Sigma certification.

Responsibilities

Lead, coach, and develop the hourly Materials team, including team leaders, to ensure reliable material flow, production readiness, and alignment with plant objectives.
Provide hands-on leadership across materials operations during third shift, addressing material shortages, scheduling disruptions, inventory discrepancies, and other issues affecting production, quality, or delivery.
Partner with Manufacturing, Quality, Maintenance, and other support teams to resolve operational challenges, reduce production downtime and scrap, improve ergonomics, and strengthen plant performance.
Champion Lean methodologies and the Appliance Production System to eliminate waste, improve material flow and standard work, and deliver improvements in safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
Oversee material scheduling, inventory accuracy, and production readiness using Oracle EBS and supporting data; identify trends and implement sustainable solutions to improve availability and inventory control.
Set clear team performance expectations and operational goals; use A3s, root cause analysis, and corrective-action tracking to address recurring issues and sustain results.
Develop team leaders through coaching, performance management, and accountability, enabling them to identify problems, prioritize demands, and execute daily operating routines.
Promote safety through EHS compliance, safe starts, safety contacts, and timely incident investigations; lead initiatives to reduce OSHA recordables and lost-time incidents and improve safe work practices.
Improve material handling, inventory accuracy, and process adherence to support quality objectives and reduce scrap, defects, and other quality-related costs.
Drive variable cost productivity through labor optimization, reduced overtime, improved hours per unit, and efficient allocation of materials resources while maintaining safety, quality, and production requirements.
Use Oracle EBS reporting, operational KPIs, and visual management to identify performance gaps, anticipate constraints, prioritize corrective actions, and improve decisions.
Coordinate with other shifts and plant leadership through clear communication, disciplined escalation, and effective handoffs to maintain continuity and consistent execution.