Materials Flow Manager

Job Summary

The Materials Flow Manager is responsible for overseeing the planning, scheduling, procurement, inventory planning/control, receiving, shipping, storage, and flow of direct and indirect materials for the facility. This role ensures uninterrupted production by aligning material availability with complex, multi-stage tire manufacturing processes while optimizing inventory, cost, and supplier performance.  The position oversees the Materials department including all scheduling, receiving, shipping and relevant procurement functions.

Materials Manager - Manages end-to-end material flow for tire production, including natural/synthetic rubber, carbon black, steel cord, bead wire, and chemical additives, ensuring uninterrupted operations across mixing, extrusion, and curing processes - Directs inventory control strategies for high-volume, batch-controlled materials, improving inventory accuracy and reducing excess/obsolete stock - Aligns material requirements with production schedules using MRP/ERP systems, minimizing line stoppages and optimizing throughput - Develop scheduling systems and procedures to optimize plant throughput and ensure synchronization between all value streams - Develops team to operate autonomously and have high focus on results - Oversees procurement and supplier performance for critical raw materials, negotiating relevant pricing and improving on-time, in-full (OTIF) delivery - Mitigates supply chain risks related to volatile raw materials (e.g., natural rubber) through strategic sourcing and safety stock planning - Leads warehouse and logistics operations for bulk and hazardous materials, improving storage efficiency and material handling processes - Implements lean and continuous improvement initiatives, reducing material waste, scrap, and production downtime - Collaborates with Quality and Engineering teams to ensure material compliance, traceability, and successful introduction of new tire products - Monitors and reported key KPIs including inventory turns, material availability, and production disruptions due to shortages - Develops and implements internal programs such as communications, training, work simplification, cost reduction and other programs as needed - Ensures compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations related to chemical handling and storage

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business, or related field
• 5+ years of experience in materials management within a manufacturing environment (tire, rubber, or chemical preferred)
• Strong understanding of MRP/ERP systems
• Experience managing bulk raw materials and complex supply chains

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Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in tire, rubber, or polymer manufacturing
• APICS certification (CPIM, CSCP)
• Knowledge of rubber compounding processes and material characteristics
• Lean / Six Sigma certification