Materials Manager (Automotive Industry) - Lexington, Kentucky

MissionHires is seeking a Materials Manager with proven experience in complex automotive manufacturing operations. This role owns on‑time shipment of finished goods, inbound/outbound freight, inventory levels, raw material storage, and timely acquisition of raw materials. You will lead purchasing, production scheduling, inventory control, supplier performance, and logistics to ensure uninterrupted production while maintaining minimum inventories and driving cost, quality, and delivery improvements.

• Prepare and maintain purchasing systems, procedures, and instructions
• Direct preparation and issuance of purchase orders and change notices
• Analyze market and delivery conditions; prepare market analysis reports
• Review purchase order claims and contracts for policy conformance
• Arrange for disposal of surplus materials
• Design and develop systems for purchasing, production scheduling, inventory control, and traffic/logistics
• Ensure availability of parts, materials, and transportation for uninterrupted production per delivery schedules with minimum inventories
• Formulate, establish, and administer plant purchasing procedures aligned with corporate/division policies
• Develop supplier procedures/requirements to improve timeliness of parts and materials delivery
• Implement visual inventory management systems on the production floor
• Maintain purchased materials and supplies inventories to meet ongoing production needs
• Set guidelines and follow up with suppliers to drive cost savings while ensuring even material flow
• Assist in developing inventory budgets and performance controls; guide plant personnel on approved inventory levels
• Develop procedures to manage engineering changes and in‑year model changes across plant, suppliers, and customers
• Assist Plant Engineering and Plant Quality Manager with Vendor Quality Assurance; help resolve substandard/rejected materials
• Coordinate product changes to ensure timely start‑up of production with correct parts and materials
• Ensure supplies are delivered on time to support uninterrupted production and finished goods shipment
• Adapt and implement computer technology to support orderly manufacture and on‑time delivery
• Maintain Bills of Material and databases supporting manufacturing system software
• Apply and promote continuous improvement methods
• Comply with all Company Safety policies, procedures, and rules

• Bachelor’s degree (required)
• Recent, hands-on experience in an automotive manufacturing plant (must have)
• Demonstrated leadership and strong interpersonal skills
• Excellent oral and written presentation skills
• Ability to effectively communicate with customers, suppliers, and employees
• Results-oriented approach with strong customer focus
• Broad-based supply chain management and process development knowledge
• Strong ERP proficiency and PC software skills
• Ability to prioritize competing demands and manage time effectively
• Proven experience with purchasing, production scheduling, inventory control, logistics/traffic, and supplier management
• Experience maintaining Bills of Material and manufacturing databases
• Track record implementing visual inventory management and continuous improvement
• Familiarity with vendor quality assurance and nonconforming material disposition
• Commitment to comply with company safety policies and procedures

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