Materials Manager-Airline Catering

About us

LSG Sky Chefs is one of the world’s largest airline catering and hospitality providers, known for its outstanding reputation and dynamic approach in the industry. Voted “Airline Caterer of the Year in North America” for 2023 and 2024, we are committed to excellence and innovation, driven by the dedication and expertise of our talented employees. Our team members are the heart and soul of our success, consistently delivering exceptional culinary experiences and outstanding service to our clients and their passengers across North and Latin America.

Position Overview

The Materials Manager will provide strategic leadership for all materials and warehouse operations within the kitchen, internally referred to as the Customer Service Center (CSC). This position is ideal for an individual who thrives in a fast‑paced environment and excels at enhancing processes, optimizing performance, and developing high‑performing teams. The role serves as the driving force behind the inventory, materials, and warehouse metrics that ensure smooth and efficient operations.

The Materials Manager will focus on continuous improvement, increased accuracy, and operational efficiency while empowering the team to achieve exceptional results. As the organization’s subject‑matter expert, this leader will translate data into action, refine workflows, and cultivate strong partnerships with suppliers, production teams, and internal stakeholders. Their leadership will play a critical role in ensuring operational excellence, cost control, and superior service delivery each day.

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  Work location: onsite @ the Sky Chefs facility located near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
• Work schedule - schedule will be 5 consecutive working days followed by 2 consecutive days off. Must be flexible to work non-traditional hours including early mornings, evenings, nights, weekends and holidays as business dictates

Main Accountabilities

Material Management

• Oversee all aspects of inventory management to ensure financial and customer requirements are met
• Handle all company and customer owned merchandise received until it is issued to production
• Control Food Cost Variances and continually compare actual to billed costs
• Determine par levels and order quantities based on airline specifications, menus and vendor lead time
• Manage personnel to maintain proper inventory, ordering, receiving, storage and requisition processes
• Track product usage and yields in relation to ordering requirements
• Coordinate and participate in inventory and reporting processes
• Maintain regulatory compliance standards (examples: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), etc.)
• Leadership
• Ensure that the area of responsibility is properly organized, staffed and directed
• Guide, motivate and develop the subordinate employees within the Human Resources Policy
• Participates in coaching the expanded Global Performance System (GPS) process, as well as additional career development activities to enhance the effectiveness and potential of the team
• Make the company's values and management principles live in the department(s)
• Plan / Implement and control the cost budget in the area of responsibility; initiate and steer corrective actions in case of deviations
• Participate and support company sponsored initiatives such as Global Quality Standards (GQS), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), Lean Manufacturing, Employee Safety

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, or related discipline or equivalent experience
• 3+ years of hands-on experience with Inventory & Supply Chain Management, including inventory optimization, MRP and supply chain planning.
• Track record of leading change, transforming processes, and building strong teams in complex, fast-paced environments
• Demonstrated leadership ability to guide, motivate, and support warehouse, procurement, and inventory staff in achieving daily operational goals
• Strong budget management skills to support cost control and financial efficiency.
• Proficiency in ERP systems to manage purchasing, vendor data, materials flow, and inventory levels.
• Experience using data and analytics to forecast material usage, event volume, waste trends, and purchase cycles for better planning.
• Thorough knowledge of Demand Planning and Vendor Management
• Thorough knowledge of lean manufacturing and supply chain management