Job Summary

The Material Planning & Logistics (MP&L) Manager is responsible for customer service, material planning, production scheduling, receiving, shipping, material handling, and inventory management/control. This role leads and develops the MP&L team, including schedulers, buyers, and materials personnel.

The MP&L Manager defines and executes plant strategies to optimize planning and logistics processes, ensuring cost efficiency and reliable delivery aligned with plant and division objectives. This role drives operational excellence through lean principles and communicates customer demand to ensure products are delivered on time, in the correct quantity, and with the required quality.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage customer demand to ensure timely delivery of quality products
• Develop and maintain policies for planning, scheduling, logistics, and inventory control
• Ensure compliance with IATF standards and customer requirements
• Maintain accurate inventory through cycle counts, controls, and corrective actions
• Analyze demand and provide short- and mid-term forecasts; support S&OP
• Develop and monitor production schedules and communicate plans across operations
• Track and report schedule attainment and delivery performance
• Ensure timely and accurate supplier releases aligned with inventory goals
• Lead continuous improvement in material flow, handling, and storage
• Manage and optimize ERP/SAP systems and related processes
• Support new product launches and engineering changes
• Maintain customer portal data and respond to customer inquiries
• Ensure service parts fulfillment and delivery performance
• Support lean initiatives (5S, Kaizen, SMED, material flow)
• Ensure compliance with Environmental Health & Safety standards
• Manage departmental budgets and cost performance
• Lead, coach, and develop team members; ensure HR compliance
• Oversee training and development programs
• Monitor KPIs, analyze performance, and implement corrective actions
• Report monthly materials and SAP KPIs to leadership
• Perform other duties as assigned

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• APICS certification preferred
• Minimum 3 years managing material control in manufacturing
• 3–5 years experience in supply chain, production control, scheduling, or procurement
• Experience leading and developing supply chain teams
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles (JIT, pull systems, SMED)
• ERP/SAP and MRP experience required
• Automotive OEM supply chain experience preferred
• Familiarity with industry standards (AIAG, VDA, MMOG/LE, Odette)
• Experience in stamping, welding, or paint operations strongly preferred