Senior Manager, Materials - 3rd Shift

GE Appliances, a Haier company•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, and other cross-functional teams to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance. The Senior Materials Manager 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 role champions Lean continuous improvement, reinforces standard work and visual management, leads EHS initiatives, and drives variable cost productivity. The position supports third-shift operations at the Decatur, Alabama plant and requires hands-on operational leadership during overnight production hours. Work is performed in office and high-volume manufacturing environments, with regular presence on the production floor. The role requires navigating the manufacturing environment and following applicable safety requirements, including using personal protective equipment. It may occasionally require lifting materials or products weighing up to 25 pounds.

Requirements

At least 5 years of leadership experience in a manufacturing or supply chain environment, with 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 teams in a fast-paced, high-volume manufacturing environment while balancing safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives.
Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills, including root cause identification, corrective action implementation, and delivery of 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 a high-volume manufacturing environment, including 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 to manage materials planning, inventory control, scheduling, and operational reporting; Oracle EBS is preferred.
Working knowledge of Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, DMAIC, A3 problem-solving, and other continuous improvement methodologies.
Organizational and prioritization skills, with the ability to make timely decisions and manage competing demands in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Success leading team-based projects, implementing process changes, and sustaining improvements through standard work, visual management, and accountability.
Strong communication and presentation skills to communicate operational priorities, 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 leadership during overnight production hours.
Ability to navigate the manufacturing environment and comply with safety requirements, including using required personal protective equipment.
Ability to occasionally lift materials or products weighing up to 25 pounds.
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

Six Sigma certification.
Experience using Oracle EBS.

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, minimize downtime, improve ergonomics, reduce scrap, and strengthen plant performance.
Champion Lean methodologies and the Appliance Production System to eliminate waste, improve material flow, strengthen standard work, and improve 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.
Set team performance expectations and operational goals; use structured problem-solving tools, including A3s and root cause analysis, to address recurring issues and sustain corrective actions.
Develop team leaders through coaching, performance management, and accountability, building capability to identify problems, prioritize demands, and execute operating routines.
Promote a proactive safety culture through EHS compliance, safe starts, safety contacts, and timely incident investigations; lead efforts to reduce OSHA recordables and lost-time incidents.
Support plant quality objectives by improving material handling, inventory accuracy, and process adherence while reducing scrap, defects, and quality-related costs.
Drive variable cost productivity through labor optimization, reduced overtime, improved hours per unit, and efficient allocation of materials resources.
Use Oracle EBS reporting, operational KPIs, and visual management to identify performance gaps, anticipate constraints, and prioritize corrective actions.
Maintain alignment with other shifts and plant leadership through clear communication, escalation, and effective handoffs.