Materials Manager

Kaiser Aluminum is hiring a Materials Manager to oversee production planning, inventory management, customer scheduling, logistics, and material flow. The role focuses on maintaining production continuity and customer delivery performance, optimizing inventory, coordinating with suppliers and cross-functional teams, and leading supply chain improvements.
Responsibilities
• Lead production plannin
...
g and material scheduling activities to support customer demand and manufacturing requirements
• Manage customer releases, EDI demand schedules, and production plans to ensure on-time delivery performance
• Develop and implement recovery plans for material shortages, capacity constraints, and supply chain disruptions
• Maintain optimal inventory levels to support production while minimizing excess and obsolete inventory
• Drive inventory accuracy through cycle counting programs, inventory audits, and inventory control processes
• Monitor inventory performance metrics, including inventory turns and days on hand
• Collaborate with purchasing, operations, logistics, and suppliers to ensure timely material availability
• Coordinate inbound and outbound logistics activities to support customer and production requirements
• Support plant shutdowns, inventory builds, and new product launches through proactive material planning
• Serve as the primary liaison for material-related customer requirements and delivery performance
• Communicate effectively with customers regarding demand fluctuations, shortages, and recovery plans
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to support supply continuity and operational excellence
• Monitor and analyze key supply chain performance indicators, including:
• On-time delivery
• Schedule adherence
• Inventory accuracy
• Inventory days on hand
• Premium freight
• Customer demand changes
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on inventory reduction, material flow optimization, and operational efficiency
• Utilize ERP/MRP systems to manage planning activities, inventory transactions, and customer requirements
• Foster strong working relationships across operations, purchasing, engineering, quality, and customer service teams
• Support company objectives by driving accountability, communication, and teamwork throughout the supply chain function
• Mentor and develop materials and planning personnel as applicable
Skills
• Demonstrated experience in production planning, inventory management, customer scheduling, logistics, and material flow within a fast-paced manufacturing environment
• Strong leadership, analytical skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with customers, suppliers, and cross-functional teams
• Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations Management, or a related field
• Minimum of 5 years of Materials Management experience in a manufacturing environment
• Demonstrated experience with ERP/MRP systems, production planning, inventory control, and customer scheduling
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Effective communication and customer relationship management skills
• Knowledge of inventory management principles and supply chain best practices
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
• Experience leading continuous improvement initiatives and cross-functional teams
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel
• APICS/ASCM CPIM certification
• Automotive manufacturing experience
• Automotive OEM or Tier 1 supplier environment
• Experience with EDI systems and customer forecasting
• Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Continuous Improvement training
• APICS CPIM, CSCP, or equivalent supply chain certification
Company Overview
• Kaiser Aluminum is a leading producer of fabricated aluminum products for aerospace/high strength, general engineering, automotive. It was founded in 1946, and is headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee, USA, with a workforce of 1001-5000 employees

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