HNI Corporation is a global family of brands for the workplace and home dedicated to enhancing the spaces where we live, work, and gather. We pride ourselves on fostering an environment where we make a positive impact on others; upholding our beliefs in integrity, inclusion and belonging.
Your Impact Starts the Day You Do!
At HNI, we believe in the power of people working together to create meaningful results. We are looking for a detail-oriented, analytical Material Flow Engineering Technician to support inventory accuracy, material availability, and continuous improvement within our Material Flow Factory team.
In this role, you will work closely with manufacturing, material flow, production, and accounting teams to investigate inventory discrepancies, resolve material issues, strengthen inventory controls, and improve processes throughout the facility. You will help ensure materials are accurately tracked, readily available to support production, and managed using consistent, sustainable processes.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys solving problems, working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, and identifying opportunities to make processes more efficient and reliable.
What You'll Do
Inventory Management & Process Ownership
- Develop a strong understanding of inventory control processes and become a subject matter expert for inventory-related activities within the Material Flow team.
- Support the development, maintenance, and consistent use of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for inventory processes.
- Perform inventory audits across designated facility zones to help maintain accurate inventory records.
- Lead and coordinate cycle-count activities throughout Material Flow, investigating discrepancies and ensuring appropriate follow-up.
- Maintain and update the Material Flow Catalog and related inventory documentation as needed.
- Support the implementation of new materials by coordinating communication and helping ensure inventory processes are aligned.
Problem Solving & Resolution
- Investigate inventory discrepancies using Oracle and inventory tracking tools, including negative inventory reports, and drive issues through resolution.
- Partner with production teams and Working Zone Leaders to investigate material shortages, inventory variances, and material availability concerns.
- Identify recurring inventory issues, determine potential root causes, and support corrective actions to prevent repeat occurrences.
- Investigate negative inventory constraints and help identify risks that could affect production flow.
- Collaborate with accounting and other cross-functional partners to support accurate inventory transactions and adjustments.
Continuous Improvement
- Identify opportunities to improve inventory accuracy, material storage, material management, and inventory control processes.
- Partner with engineers and production teams to identify and resolve material delivery challenges affecting manufacturing operations.
- Review existing inventory controls and recommend improvements that promote consistency, accuracy, and sustainability.
- Identify obsolete or excess materials for review and potential disposition.
- Help establish and reinforce best practices across teams through training, communication, and process standardization.
- Support additional Material Flow activities and improvement initiatives as business needs evolve.
What We're Looking For
- Strong attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining accurate inventory records.
- Demonstrated problem-solving skills, including the ability to investigate discrepancies, identify root causes, and follow through on resolutions.
- Computer proficiency and the ability to learn inventory management systems; experience with Oracle is preferred.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a manufacturing environment.
- Effective communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work across production, material flow, engineering, and accounting teams.
- A continuous improvement mindset and an interest in improving processes, standard work, and operational efficiency.
- The ability to learn inventory policies, material flow processes, and the impact of material availability and lead times on production.