Process Excellence Manager - Materials Management

Position Summary:

The Process Excellence Manager drives global process standardization, optimization, and digitalization across Materials Management, Production Planning & Scheduling, and Purchasing in a multi-site Engineer-to-Order (ETO) and Configure-to-Order (CTO) environment. The role ensures efficient and scalable supply chain execution, balancing flexibility with control to support on-time delivery, cost efficiency, and customer responsiveness.

Responsibilities:

1. Process Design and Optimization

• Map, analyze, and redesign core business processes across materials management, planning, and purchasing functions.
• Standardize global processes, ensuring alignment with best practices and business objectives.
• Lead process improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, and value stream mapping methodologies.
• Develop and maintain process documentation, SOPs, and governance frameworks.

2. Materials Management and Planning

• Define and optimize materials planning logic (MRP, reorder strategies, lead-time settings, safety stock parameters).
• Improve master data accuracy and standardization across sites.
• Enhance demand/supply balancing and rescheduling processes to reduce shortages and excess inventory.
• Drive adoption of advanced planning tools and analytics.

3. Production Scheduling Excellence

• Establish standardized scheduling principles and performance metrics (e.g., adherence, frozen zones, constraint management).
• Partner with plant schedulers to improve visibility and synchronization between order entry, engineering release, and production execution.
• Support implementation of digital scheduling or finite capacity planning solutions.

4. Purchasing and Supplier Collaboration

• Streamline sourcing and purchase order processes to improve responsiveness and compliance.
• Define and roll out supplier performance metrics and feedback mechanisms.
• Lead initiatives to integrate suppliers into planning visibility (e.g., portal, EDI, or planning collaboration tools).
• Support global procurement strategy execution and purchasing process automation.

5. Performance Measurement and Reporting

• Develop KPIs to measure process efficiency, material availability, and schedule adherence.
• Lead regular process reviews and continuous improvement cycles.
• Implement root cause analysis frameworks for chronic planning or purchasing issues.

6. Systems, Tools, and Data Enablement

• Collaborate with IT/ERP teams to improve planning and procurement system functionality (ERP, APS, MRP, supplier portals).
• Champion digital transformation and data-driven decision-making.
• Ensure consistent global use of tools and templates across all sites.

7. Change Management and Training

• Drive organizational adoption of new processes and tools through structured change management.
• Develop training materials and conduct workshops for global teams (planners, buyers, schedulers, and materials managers).
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and operational discipline.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Operations, or related field (Master's preferred).
• Experience:
• 8+ years in supply chain, production planning, or materials management roles.
• Proven experience in ETO/CTO manufacturing environments.
• Experience leading global or multi-site process improvement initiatives.

Skills:

• Strong understanding of ERP/MRP systems (SAP, Oracle, Infor, or similar).
• Proficiency with process improvement tools (Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen).
• Excellent analytical, facilitation, and project management skills.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management across global teams.
• Familiarity with advanced planning systems and digital transformation initiatives.

Travel

30-50% Within the US and Global