Material Management Specialist

The Materials Management Specialist leads inventory management, production planning, logistics coordination, and Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) activities across multiple manufacturing sites. This role serves as the key link between demand forecasts, material availability, production schedules, and operational execution in a lean manufacturing environment. The position oversees inventory and production control functions, manages production planning resources across multiple plants, and drives continuous improvement initiatives that enhance cost efficiency, productivity, inventory optimization, and on-time delivery performance.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain division-wide production plans and master schedules that support customer demand and business forecasts.

• Align manufacturing capacity, labor, material availability, and equipment resources to achieve customer service, productivity, and inventory objectives.

• Coordinate and prioritize production activities across multiple manufacturing facilities to ensure efficient use of resources and timely order fulfillment.

• Manage production schedules across weekly, monthly, and long-range planning horizons, proactively resolving scheduling conflicts caused by material shortages, engineering changes, labor constraints, machine availability, and changing business priorities.

• Lead all inventory control activities, including inventory strategy, inventory accuracy, records management, and material planning processes.

• Partner closely with Procurement to ensure timely replenishment of raw materials and components that support uninterrupted production.

• Drive inventory optimization and reduction initiatives while maintaining or improving customer service levels.

• Monitor inventory performance, analyze trends, and adjust stock levels based on changing business conditions and production requirements.

• Lead the monthly S&OP processes for the division, ensuring alignment between demand forecasts and supply capabilities.

• Translate sales forecasts into executable production and inventory plans that support both short-term requirements and long-term growth objectives.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Sales, Procurement, Engineering, and Finance to balance demand and supply and resolve constraints.

• Develop material and production strategies that support business growth, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

• Direct and mentor Production Control and Logistics team members across multiple manufacturing locations, providing guidance, coaching, and performance feedback.

• Provide leadership and support to production planning and inventory control personnel, ensuring consistent processes and best practices.

• Build strong working relationships across operations, supply chain, engineering, quality, finance, and commercial teams to support shared goals.

• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and continuous improvement-focused culture within the production control and logistics functions.

• Identify and implement process improvements that drive cost savings, productivity enhancements, inventory reductions, and service level improvements.

• Support and promote Lean Manufacturing initiatives across the division to streamline workflows and eliminate waste.

• Analyze operational and supply chain data, develop insights, and present recommendations to leadership to improve planning effectiveness and overall performance.

• Lead strategic projects that improve supply chain performance, scalability, and responsiveness to changing market demands.

• Develop reports and dashboards that measure inventory, production, service, and operational performance across sites.

• Monitor key supply chain metrics, analyze trends, and communicate performance and improvement opportunities to division leadership.

• Use advanced Excel skills and other analytical tools to extract, interpret, and present data clearly to large groups and stakeholders.

• Effectively communicate across all organizational levels, influencing decisions and driving change in support of supply chain and operations strategies.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, Operations Management, Materials Management, or a related field.

• At least 5 years of experience in Production Planning, Inventory Control, Materials Management, Supply Chain, or Manufacturing Operations.

• Proven experience leading production planning or supply chain teams within a manufacturing environment.

• Strong understanding of production scheduling, including the ability to build and manage master production schedules.

• Deep knowledge of inventory management principles and practices, including inventory accuracy and optimization.

• Experience with capacity planning and demand planning in a manufacturing setting.

• Hands-on experience with Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) processes.

• Strong analytical skills with advanced proficiency in Excel, including the ability to read, extract, and interpret data and present it to large groups.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite for communication, analysis, and reporting.

• Ability and willingness to travel periodically to division manufacturing facilities, with total travel up to approximately 25%.

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively across all organizational levels, both verbally and in writing.

• Ability to make data-driven recommendations and drive change in a complex, multi-site environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• APICS/ASCM certification such as CPIM, CSCP, or an equivalent credential.

• Experience supporting multiple manufacturing plants in a multi-site environment.

• Experience working with SAP or similar enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.

• Background in Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement methodologies.

• Demonstrated experience leading inventory reduction and cost savings initiatives.

• Experience with production control and logistics functions in a discrete manufacturing environment.

• Ability to remain calm and effective under pressure while managing competing priorities.

• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and communicate effectively up and down the organization.

• Proven track record of making strategic and tactical recommendations and successfully driving change.

Work Environment

This role operates primarily in an onsite office and manufacturing environment from Monday through Thursday, with the flexibility to work remotely one day per week, chosen by the employee. The position supports multiple manufacturing plants and involves periodic travel to manufacturing facilities in Wisconsin, typically within 1.5 to 2 hours of Golden Valley, as well as quarterly travel to a plant location in Pennsylvania. Overall travel is estimated at up to 25%. The work environment is closely connected to production operations, requiring regular collaboration with operations, supply chain, engineering, quality, finance, and commercial teams. Standard business productivity tools such as Microsoft Office and Excel are used extensively, and familiarity with ERP systems such as SAP is beneficial. The culture emphasizes collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement, and lean manufacturing principles, offering the opportunity to influence supply chain strategy across multiple manufacturing locations.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Minneapolis, MN.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $140000.00 - $165000.00/yr.

Will update more with specific company benefits!

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Minneapolis,MN.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 30, 2026.

About Aston Carter

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io (%View email address on click.appcast.io) for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.