The primary function of the Materials Manager is to manage all aspects of materials flow and to maintain control and accuracy over all inventories, including all transactions, procurement, planning, scheduling, cost, warehouse, receiving, and shipping to ensure that customer orders are fulfilled on time while maximizing inventory turns. 

This person will identify, initiate, and lead projects to improve service, quality, and operational performance. Additionally, he/she will proactively evaluate current processes and systems to identify continuous improvement opportunities within the extended value stream and develop and implement solutions. 

Responsibility for this position is for the Cleveland, TN facility and support for our Brownsville, TX operation.  This will require working closely with the location management teams (staffs), Materials/Supply departments, and operations ensuring they understand their roles and responsibilities within the Materials/Supply Chain System. Periodic travel to Brownsville, Texas is required.

Required Skills:

Knowledge of process improvement concepts and methods along with the flexibility and adaptability to accept, support, and deploy new processes in a changing business environment.Develop relationships built on trust and integrity to be the "expert of choice" among team and colleaguesEffective communications skills at both technical and leadership levels. Must include strong interpersonal skills, written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to understand information and ideas as presentedSkill in conflict resolution including the ability to address difference of opinions or facts and use the most appropriate method to reach an effective solution.Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize time/workload and delegate work in order to accomplish tasks and meet deadlines.Ability to effectively coach and foster staff growth and development.Ability to negotiate by collaborating with others to arrive at a conclusion using compromise, persuasion, rationale, and diplomacy.Identifying, initiating, and leading projects to improve service, quality, and operational performance.Proactively evaluate current processes and systems to identify continuous improvement opportunities within the extended value stream and develop and implement best practices in supply chain disciplines.Manages and reviews inputs (Sales, Operations, and Inventory Planning process (SOIP), cycle counting, physical inventory, profit planning) and controls (min./max. levels, lead times, etc.) of the ordering process to ensure that inventory levels (purchase parts, WIP, finished goods, consignment, in-transit etc.) to meet division and corporate expectationsMaintains optimum inventory levels to ensure on-time deliveries to meet customer requirements while maximizing turns, minimizing carrying costs and premium transportation chargesAn in-depth knowledge and understanding of manufacturing processes and hands on experience and knowledge of MRP systems, planning and executions, supply chain management practices, bills of material, and knowledge of material control scheduling.Leading and driving for results.Lead and assist in other departments, in particular training, coaching and developing others through lean material principlesManage the market and receiving areas. Responsible for developing and improving the internal materials delivery system by using Material Flow (MMF) and Continuous Flow (CCF) processesLead and assist in other departments, in particular training, coaching and developing others through lean material principlesMay negotiate with suppliers and analyze suppliers’ operations to determine factors that affect prices and determine lowest cost consistent with quality, reliability, and ability to meet required schedules.Review proposals, negotiate prices, select or recommend suppliers, analyze trends, follow up on orders placed, verify delivery, approve payment, and maintain necessary records

Competencies/Concepts: 

People ManagementCultural knowledge and sensitivityAbility to identify employees' strengths and limitationsAbility to give all spectrums of feedback (positive and constructive)Focus on employee self-development, knowledge, and learningHaving influence with peers to understand and achieve alignment and common goalsProcess ManagementMaterial and information flow (demand variation and forecasting, Managing supplier relationships, PFEP, choosing correct RP)Ability to develop/create/manage an RFP/RFQ from defined processSupport & Develop Productivity roadmap for siteEfficient in 5S, Standard Work, Value Stream-MappingAbility to participate, lead, and teach Lean tool kitRisk awareness and mitigationPlan for month, quarter, yearAbility to create Toolbox polices/practices for management use (RFP, multi-bidder, auction)Demonstrated proficiency in PDCA process (Action Plan - Do, RCCM - check function)PerformanceFinancial acumen (balance sheets, financial statement analysis, etc.)Develop and manage KPIs and metrics that align with higher-level objectivesDriving continuous improvement and eliminating waste

Required Education/Experience:

Bachelor's Degree in Business or EngineeringMaster's or advanced degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations Excellence, or related field preferred.People ManagementDirect supervisory experienceManaging diversity and cultural sensitivityDocumented experience with turn-around employee situations (employees below expectations to meeting/exceeding expectations)Process ManagementExperience with contract reviews and negotiationsEnterprise-sourcing purchasing systemsTwo or more (2+) years' experience in making materials flowGlobal business acumenManagement of multiple outside processes with total value of $1M+PerformanceFive or more (5+) years relevant Supply Chain work experience that includes purchasing, planning, forecasting and inventory control management in a heavy manufacturing environmentSuccessfully managed 1000+ SKUs (planning)Successfully managed $50M in purchased parts with 50+ vendors (purchasing)

Mueller Company offers an excellent salary and benefits package. Current benefit offerings include: medical and dental insurance, 401K plan with company match, Employee Stock Purchase Plan program, short-term and long-term disability benefits, vacation, tuition reimbursement program, company-provided life insurance, supplemental insurance at group rates, and much more.

Mueller Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other category protected by law.