Materials Manager

Description

Company Overview

Springs Window Fashions has been part of the window treatments industry since 1939. Headquartered in Middleton WI, we have over 8,000 associates and 18 locations worldwide.  Our custom window treatments are available in nearly every major retailer, in thousands of designer showrooms and showcased in large commercial buildings. 

Our company is privately owned with products marketed across a broad portfolio of brands including Bali, Graber, SunSetter and Mecho.  Our tagline is “the Best Experience Company.” And it’s more than just a set of words—it represents the essence of who we are. As North America’s premier window covering company, we’re committed to creating the Best Experience for our associates and team members, our consumers and end users, and our channel and business partners.

We are bringing new innovations to the market and have a lot to offer consumers who want to improve their home décor. 

Position Summary

The purpose of this position is to identify and deliver best practices in materials management to ensure high levels of customer service while optimizing inventory investment.  The scope of the role is to focus on ensuring local plant execution while optimizing inventory utilization our multi-plant network.  Responsibilities to include planning, scheduling, inventory control, receiving and materials distribution operations. The position requires a drive for continuous improvement while ensuring compliance to documented policies and procedures. The person shall provide leadership and change management skills to move the culture and team to high levels of performance while fostering a collaborative environment. This position will report into the Plant Manager.

Position Responsibilities

The following reflect the essential functions for this position but does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned based upon changing business conditions:

• Responsible for the execution of the McAllen facility schedule
• Implement LEAN techniques - KANBAN, reordering technique
• Supervise direct and indirect reports
• Drive high adherence to system utilization to optimize the use of MRP functionality and reporting tools to enable an efficient workflow in the Planning, Scheduling, and Buying processes
• Communicate effectively with all team members including cross-functional teams, internal customers and with external suppliers 
• Control inventory levels within the specified goals at the SKU and aggregate level while developing strategies to improve turns/days on hand levels
• Manage development of a supplier performance program and work with Procurement to cooperatively improve supplier performance and collaboration

Customer Service (40%)

• Ensure materials are available to support customer requirements while minimizing the freight costs.
• Monitor and mitigate material shortages; identify and implement corrective actions
• Ensure team keeps system material availability dates updated and accurate
• Monitor capacity requirements both short and long term
• Continuously look for service improvement opportunities
• Ensure and communicate overall product line customer service levels
• Manage the backlog by facility to ensure our service and utilization objectives are achieved

Inventory Control (30%)

• Work with Procurement on reducing lead times, minimums and price break quantities.
• Provide forecasts to major suppliers.
• Follow-up on rejects to ensure they are expeditiously dispositioned
• Continuously look for inventory opportunities
• Monitor and report “aged” inventories to identify opportunities to reduce and prevent
• Set, monitor and report line responsibility for inventory levels
• Get all obsolete inventory dispositioned and ultimately consumed, sold or scrapped

System Maintenance  (20%)

• Ensure team creates work orders, purchase orders and material movements in a timely manner and in accordance with our customer service and inventory objectives
• Review all ECR’s/ECN’s and take appropriate action
• Ensure team monitors and maintains the accuracy of system planning and purchasing parameters.
• Maintain integrity and accuracy of planning bills of material.

Leadership  (10%)

• Review procedures and practices to identify continuous improvement opportunities.
• Help mentor and cross-train Planner/Buyers.
• Provide a “Best Experience” to all contacts by consistently following our “Guiding Principles”.
• Special projects for senior management as assigned.

Requirements

Education and Experience

• Four-Year college degree with emphasis in Business Management or Supply Chain Management
• Minimum of 2-5 years of experience and/or education in shop floor control and Lean Manufacturing
• Team management experience in planning, receiving, material handling and inventory control within a manufacturing environment

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proficient on ERP/MRP, MS Microsoft Office Suite and PC network applications

Preferred

•  Prior experience with supporting assembly operations is preferred
•  Previous experience or exposure with Lean and Kaizen would be preferred
•  Good understanding of PFEP and experience implementing material replenishment systems would be preferred

Cultural Behaviors

• Empowerment: We trust our people.
• Ownership: We take 100% responsibility for our roles, actions, and results.
• Leadership: We all lead by example and talk direct with respect (DWR).
• One Team: We are One Springs Team.
• Customer First: We consider our customers’ needs before every decision.
• Continuous Innovation: We are constantly learning, innovating, and improving.
• Speed: We define priorities and operate with a sense of urgency and agility.