At Chesterton, we have a laser focus on our customers. This position will be part of the Value Stream Leadership Team. The Sr. Materials Manager will actively contribute to the overall strategy, direction, and culture of the assigned value stream. The position is responsible for the overall execution of the supply chain operations, including demand planning (outgoing), supply planning (incoming), purchasing, inventory management support, and other activities as assigned. Works frequently with value stream support functions (such as sourcing, engineering, costing, and quality assurance) to achieve annual initiatives and targets. This role plays a critical function in the maintenance of min/max inventory levels and consistently serves to reduce inventory expenses. Mentoring and professional development of team members will be a key responsibility.

Job Model:  On-Site

All fully remote positions will require you to travel on site 2-4 times per month depending upon business needs at your own expense.

Hybrid positions will require employees to work both on-site and remote each week under a schedule that has been determined and agreed upon by you and your manager.

On-Site positions will require employees to work on-site for each of their scheduled shifts.

• Has the ability to manage a staff of buyers and demand analysts.

• Develop and implement inventory control procedures for manufacturing operations with over 20,000 SKUs and multiple product lines. This includes various parts of manufacturing operations consisting of make to stock, make to order, purchase to order, purchase for resale products, component and raw material inventories. All areas within the value stream inventory management are in scope.

• Ensure the right disciplines are in place to efficiently manage min/max levels for all parts of the inventory.

• Has the ability to source new suppliers, negotiate pricing, negotiate supply agreements and implement non-disclosure agreements.

• Is capable of making presentations related to materials management issues to leadership team members when needed.

• Identify continuous improvement opportunities to improve inventory turns and cycle count accuracy.

• Facilitate improvements to quality through packaging and storage of components.

• Lead projects for future expansion of component storage and inventory management improvements.

• Identify and execute projects to reduce customer complaints and past dues associated with component orders and inventory inaccuracies.

• Develop standard work and automate systems as appropriate to enhance metrics monitoring.

• Identify shortages and support our cycle counts program.

• Support end of month, quality assurance, and end of year inventories.

• Manage team of stockers and other staff where applicable to ensure safe, efficient, and business-responsive working culture.

• Design/develop/adapt dashboards for leadership on inventory accuracy including daily, weekly, and monthly metrics.

• Work in conjunction with Supply Chain and Finance staff to ensure inventory accuracy and turns are effectively measured, reported, and audited.

• Develop communication cadence for alerting Customer Care Team and Production staff to potential impact of inventory shortages/unavailability.

• Using Lean tools improve the accuracy of inventory and efficiency of working for the department.

• Ability to work independently.

• Ability to coach, train, correct performance, and provide development opportunities for direct staff and cross-department functions.

• Ability to monitor work routines on a daily basis and actively provide direction to team.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Thorough knowledge of manufacturing operating practices, policies, and procedures.

• Well versed in materials management, sourcing & purchasing processes, and operations management.

• Strong leadership skills with a demonstrated ability to supervise.

• Understanding of lean principles and how they apply to manufacturing processes.

• Exceptional communication and presentation skills.

• Project management skills.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office products including Word, PowerPoint and Outlook. Advanced in Excel and Access.

• Strong statistical, analytical, and problem-solving ability.

• Must be exceptional working as part of a team

• Bachelor’s degree or 8-10 years of direct experience as equivalent.

• 8 - 10 years of inventory management experience.

• APICS certification preferred.

• Experience with AX ERP system.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, talk or hear and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. Moderate noise including manufacturing noise exists daily in the work environment. Must be able to lift 50 pounds routinely.

A.W. CHESTERTON IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Targeted pay range: $120,000 - $125,000 depending on experience

Chesterton is committed to paying all its employees in a fair and equitable manner. The pay range associated with this position ($120,000 - $125,000 DOE) is Chesterton's good-faith salary estimate for the presently available position. Several roles at Chesterton are considered “leveled” positions and as such, the company reserves the right to advertise and or hire for this position at appropriate level depending on applicant’s skillset/experience. If the salary range to be offered for a “leveled” based position (I, II, III, etc.) is different than what was advertised on any posting, that range will be discussed with the candidate before they are formally invited to interview.

Hired applicants may be eligible for additional incentive compensation depending on the level and or function of the position which will be discussed with the candidate prior to formal interview. Payments under these programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance.

Please note that the final salary offered for any position will be based on many factors, including but not limited to: candidate qualifications such as education and experience, internal equity, geographical location, and budget. Please note, it is not the company's usual practice to hire near or at the top of a pay range for any position that is available.

Chesterton anticipates the application window closing approximately 45 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require Chesterton to shorten or extend the application window.

All of A.W. Chesterton Company employment is contingent upon successfully passing a background check and the respective medical surveillance requirements. 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.

Chesterton is an equal opportunity employer M/F/V/D

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