Material Area Supervisor

Material Area Supervisor

The Material Area Supervisor is responsible for leading hourly teams that unload, store, and deliver materials to support production operations within a high-volume automotive manufacturing assembly plant. This role oversees material flow activities while ensuring safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and employee engagement goals are met in a unionized manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support hourly material handling teams responsible for shipping, receiving, inventory management, material delivery, and Hi-Lo/Forklift operations.
• Drive safety initiatives and ensure compliance with all company safety standards and procedures.
• Manage the safety, quality, delivery, cost, and morale performance of assigned work teams.
• Coordinate daily team activities to achieve business objectives and key operational metrics.
• Utilize World Class Manufacturing (WCM) principles and tools to improve material flow, increase productivity, reduce waste, and lower manufacturing costs.
• Develop Team Leaders and Team Members through coaching, training, and performance management while fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Monitor inventory accuracy and maintain record integrity to support production requirements.
• Investigate production downtime events, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions to minimize future disruptions.
• Ensure customer satisfaction by maintaining efficient material delivery processes that support production schedules.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with both management and UAW-represented employees.
• Lead multiple work teams in a fast-paced, high-volume manufacturing environment while demonstrating company Leadership Principles.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Previous supervisory, team lead, or leadership experience preferred.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills.
• Ability to support and motivate hourly employees in a unionized workplace.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous automotive manufacturing experience preferred.
• Prior experience in a supervisory role within materials management, shipping/receiving, warehouse operations, logistics, or manufacturing.
• Experience working in a UAW or unionized environment preferred.
• Familiarity with World Class Manufacturing (WCM), Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, or similar operational excellence methodologies is a plus.

Work Environment & Schedule

• Onsite position within an automotive manufacturing facility.
• Must be available to work any shift, including days, afternoons, midnights, weekends, and overtime as required.
• Regular schedule consists of 9-hour shifts, with additional hours based on business needs.