Materials Manager

Job Title: Materials Manager

Location: Hartsville, TN

About the Company:

IPS Corporation is a global, market-leading provider of Water and Flow Management Solutions and Specialty Adhesives Solutions for applications where failure is not an option. Founded in 1954 in Los Angeles, CA, IPS began by producing clear cements for laminating acrylic sheet for aircraft canopies. We were first to produce reliable cement for use with PVC, CPVC, and ABS pipe and fittings, and first to introduce plastic recessed washing machine and ice maker outlet boxes. Since then, we have expanded our offering to more than 10,000+ products and solutions across multiple fast-growth industries such as residential and commercial construction, irrigation, pool & spa, marine or industrial manufacturing.

Today our industry leading products are proudly manufactured at facilities throughout the world and available through a nationwide network of customer-focused distributors. We offer premium brands, world-class customer service, seamless processes, and a global supply chain. IPS, through its three operating companies, operates 13 manufacturing plants in the US, Europe and China supporting sales to over 85 countries.

IPS Corporation is a portfolio company that is part of Centerbridge Partners. Centerbridge Partners, L.P. is a private investment management firm employing a flexible approach across investment disciplines - private equity, private credit and real estate - in an effort to develop the most attractive opportunities for its investors. The Firm was founded in 2005 and has approximately $36 billion in capital under management with offices in New York and London. Centerbridge is dedicated to partnering with world-class management teams across targeted industry sectors and geographies. For more information, please visit www.centerbridge.com.

About the Role:

The role of the Materials Manager is instrumental in ensuring that the most effective supply chain processes are in place to support the Solvent Cement business segment strategies and business objectives. This role operates in unison with the Gardena Supply Chain and Sourcing team. It is the responsibility of the Materials Manager to ensure that the Solvent Cement integrated supply chains are positioned to achieve customer On-Time Performance expectations with optimized cost, quality, efficiency, and effectiveness. This role will assess and manage supply chain risk and lead improvements in Hartsville Operations Planning processes with standardized processes, tools, metrics and performance improvement initiatives.

The Materials Manager is also responsible for Inventory demand, Inventory planning and Inventory accuracy, demand and production planning, warehouse and logistics. The Materials Manager will also reflect demand changes in our planning system to ensure high accuracy of forecast needs and ensure accurate inventory records, inventory history and forecasting.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Independent responsibility for material and logistics planning, inventory planning, production and demand planning management, on-hand inventory accuracy, forecasting and replenishment, freight optimization.
• Establishing and executing a strategic plan as related to series suppliers including evaluating series supplier capacity and identifying and resolving all current or potential issues that could affect Hartsville production.
• Directing all analysis on all orders, reschedules, or cancellations of raw materials from suppliers based on material requirements in El using Material Requirement Planning (MRP). Further directs the monitoring of available capacities based on sales demands. Directs the efforts to work with internal teams to resolve capacity shortfalls.
• Ensuring manufacturing operations has an adequate supply of materials to keep all production areas working, to meet spare parts requirements, and keeps obsolete and excess material inventory levels at a mm1mum.
• Maintaining at least 2 weeks of production plan.
• Budgeting and managing all commercial issues related to sorting, rework and charge back of both purchased and in house produced parts.
• Identifying current and potential product shortages, develop and execute recovery, advise interested parties (production, planning, purchasing) of status and recovery plans.
• Coordinating material movement between warehouses, bin locations and production floor.
• Ensuring inventory levels satisfy demand and meet financial objectives associated with fulfillment, turnover, and profitability.
• Utilizing MRP to ensure the data is accurate and up to date.
• Monitoring inventory levels at the category, product, and SKU levels to maximize inventory turnover, and optimize cash flow, while meeting customer demand.
• Maintaining system data integrity to assure best data is available for critical decision-making
• Maintaining and update master files (items, vendors, etc.) including new item set up.
• Setting up and monitoring the integrity if Bills of Materials (BOM) and manage their accuracy.
• Completing cycle counts; investigating inventory gains and losses; maintaining accurate product records; monitoring rotation and transfer of inventory items.
• Reviewing and reconciling variances, analyzing data to determine discrepancy root cause in a timely matter.
• Coordinating new product transfers and raw materials from Gardena.
• Using El to generate reports.
• Coordinating and managing of annual physical inventories and development of follow up reporting.
• Leading continuous improvement plans as it relates to materials planning, production planning, warehouse and freight management, space optimization and timely customer order fulfillment.
• Developing analytical tools and daily best practices as it relates to inventory optimization and risk mitigation.
• Managing warehouse operations, including logistics, scheduling systems, delivery, and transportation, loading dock activity, safety & security, emergency action plans, and standard operating procedures.
• Cultivating a high performance, result-oriented culture by maintaining positive working relationships with all internal and external stakeholders.
• Providing monthly reports (inventory, supplier performance, warehouse/shipping) and essential KPI reports to the plant manager.
• Supporting Supply Chain team in cost reduction initiatives.
• Other duties and responsibilities that may be assigned.

Competency:

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner.
• Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations.
• Adaptability - Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events; adapts to changes in the work environment.
• Attendance/ Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time.
• Ethics - Treats people with respect; inspires the trust of others.
• Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position.
• Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality.
• Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; reports potentially unsafe conditions; uses equipment and materials properly.

Qualifications:

To perform the job successfully, and 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.

• Education/ Experience-Bachelor''s degree (B.A.) from four-year College or university; or one to two years related experience and/ or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5+ years of experience in material floor operations supporting a manufacturing operations facility.
• Strong understanding of lean material flow, warehouse management, and inventory control.
• Experience leading both salaried and hourly team members.
• Experience in driving continuous improvement and technology insertion appropriately within a materials organization.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Strong communication and leadership abilities to influence and align cross-functional teams.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with evolving priorities.
• Proficiency in inventory management software and system; JDE El is a plus.
• Strong supplier management skills required.
• In-depth understanding of inventory management principles and practices.
• Experience with developing and implementing inventory management policies and procedures.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing 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 frequently exposed to work near moving mechanical parts; fumes or airborne particles; extreme cold (non-weather) and extreme heat (non-weather). The noise level in the work environment is sometimes loud.

Physical Demands:

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.

The employee must frequently lift and /or move up to 50 pounds. While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to walk and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; sit and use hands to fingers, handle, or feel; the employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms.