Material Specialist

Lear For You

This is responsible work supporting Lear Montgomery by planning, determining, controlling material requirements, and maintaining an inventory database. Incumbents in this classification control materials by studying inventory, service-level targets, and manufacturing schedules; conferring with production teams; developing inventory plans and priorities; monitoring inventory levels, lead times, lot sizes, and fill rates; evaluating planned and proposed material/process changes; identifying and resolving supplier problems; and developing solutions for launch projects in response to a JIT (just in time) delivery requirement.

Job Description

Plans, schedules and manages the efficient movement of material from receiving or the warehouse to production

• Develops raw material requirements and scheduling requirements from engineering specifications and production schedules and plans and manages material movement with purchasing, warehouse, and production
• May use Material Requirements Planning (MRP) systems
• May negotiate lead times with suppliers and manage schedules for timely delivery
• May have responsibility for maintaining inventory control of equipment parts

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage procurement of materials and ensure on-time delivery to support production.
• Oversee MRP accuracy, inventory planning, order fulfillment, and raw material purchasing.
• Monitor inventory levels, conduct cycle counts and audits, investigate variances, and drive inventory accuracy.
• Lead inbound/outbound logistics, receiving, storage, and inventory control activities.
• Identify opportunities to reduce freight, transaction costs, waste, and inventory investments.
• Ensure timely fulfillment of customer orders while maintaining strong supplier relationships.
• Manage slow-moving and obsolete inventory, including customer buyback claims.
• Develop and implement inventory management strategies, including Kanban/JIT systems, to improve efficiency and inventory turns.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on waste reduction, productivity, and supply chain performance.
• Gather and analyze supplier and inventory data to support operational decisions.
• Resolve supplier quality and non-conformance issues, including claims related to cost, scrap, labor, and rework.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, ethical standards, and internal controls.
• Provide project management support by coordinating, tracking, and reporting inventory-related activities.

Why Lear?

• Team Development Opportunities
• Personal Growth & Career Advancement Opportunities

Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a related field and 1-3 year(s) experience in logistics and/or materials or a combination of education and experience equivalent.

Experience Requirements

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of inventory control, warehousing, distribution, and material management processes.
• Understanding of manufacturing operations, production planning, quality control, cost management, and supply chain principles.
• Familiarity with applicable regulatory requirements and compliance standards.
• Ability to analyze data, identify trends, solve problems, and address supplier/vendor issues.
• Strong planning, organizational, and decision-making skills.
• Effective communication skills with the ability to train, coach, and support employees and suppliers.
• Proficient with computer systems and business applications.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work in an office and manufacturing environment, including prolonged standing, walking, and sitting.
• Frequent bending, kneeling, crouching, climbing, reaching, twisting, and repetitive hand movements.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 40 lbs.
• Ability to operate office equipment and computer systems.

Special Requirements:

• Willingness to work extended hours and flexible shifts as needed.
• Ability to work in various weather conditions.
• Ability to obtain forklift and other powered industrial vehicle certifications.