Materials Manager with manufacturing experience

Our engineering company is looking for an experienced Materials Manager for our client, which is a globally known high end appliance manufacturer with a new plant in Cedar Rapids, IA.

We are also seeking a senior material flow engineer for the same client. Need to have experience with PFEP, kanban, kitting, supermarket and plant layout.

This company has been around for many years and is privately owned with revenue over $500 million dollars. This is a greenfield plant. The manager will play a pivotal role in the plant.

Per client: Candidates need to be a US citizen or Green Card Holder.

Relocation is required. Company offers a generous relocation package.

Material Manager Job description below:

70% of this role will be building/mentoring the material flow team and the other 30% will be working with the Director of Logistics in WI on supply chain/routing/transportation. This position will have about 4-5 Direct reports and a team of about 30 indirect.

A family-owned company known for craftsmanship, innovation, and integrity. Our products are found in the world’s most luxurious homes, and behind them are teams of people who live our values every day.

At our new Cedar Rapids facility, we’re building something special - a culture rooted in safety, operational excellence, and ownership. We do what’s right, take pride in our work, and continuously seek to improve. We win together through teamwork, accountability, and a passion for results. And we bring the energy - showing up with a positive mindset and a commitment to creating a workplace where people feel valued, motivated, and inspired.

This Materials Manager role is a unique opportunity to form a new position and department - lead the operational setup, launch, and support of all material movement into, within, and out of the Cedar Rapids plant. This position will lead an operating department of skilled team members in the plant as well as coordinate production planning and outbound planning for the plant. You’ll build the team, lead cross-functionally, manage project execution, and own the plant supply chain and material handling functions beyond launch - all while helping build a culture where people and performance thrive.

Planning And Start-Up Responsibilities

• Provide detailed input to project plans and schedules.
• Develop team leader and group leader roles and partner with HR to build the team from the ground up.
• Partner cross functionally to implement a plan-for-every-part approach to line side deliveries.
• Partner with fabrication operations group to properly provide a pull based plan for that area.
• Level load and provide consistent finished product plan in partnership with sales and operations.
• Evaluate the entire material handling process with a focus on clear work instructions, full work loading, a safe work environment, and effective training and onboarding.
• Build a culture that surfaces and solves problems related to safety, quality, and efficiency - involving employees at all levels to own it and improve it.
• Work closely with industrial and manufacturing engineering to commission the new process.
• Work closely with the planning department to develop pull system based planning for the fabrication area.
• Be the plant lead on setup of SAP, while utilizing company standards during full operation.

Ongoing Production Responsibilities

• Using a people-first and process-disciplined approach, leading the material handling and supply chain teams to achieve Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost performance with a cross-functional staff.
• Champion a proactive safety culture - ensuring every team member feels responsible for identifying and addressing risks before they become issues.
• Build a culture that surfaces and solves problems daily - driving continuous improvement in people, process, and product.
• Foster two-way communication - ensuring team members are not only well-informed and engaged, but also empowered to share insights, influence decisions, and shape outcomes.
• Promote a collaborative environment where cross-functional teams align around shared goals and celebrate collective wins.
• Empower individuals to take initiative, own their work areas, and lead improvement efforts that enhance safety, quality, and efficiency.
• Lead with integrity - modeling ethical decision-making and fostering a culture of trust and accountability.
• Inspire a high-energy environment where positivity, resilience, and a growth mindset are contagious.
• This position reports to the Site Leader and is a key member of the site leadership team.

We Value Our Employees By Providing

• Competitive compensation based on skills

A generous relocation package

• Industry leading health, dental, and vision plans
• Generous 401 (K) savings and profit sharing
• Education assistance and internal training programs
• Electric vehicle charging
• Maternity & paternity leave

Candidates need to be a US Citizen or Green Card Holder for this client.