Senior Material Flow Engineer – Logistics Planning Mercedes-Benz Vans, LLC, Charleston, SC

Tasks

Role Overview
We are seeking a Senior Material Flow Engineer to support logistics planning, warehouse structure development, material flow optimization, and new product readiness. This role will help define efficient logistics storage structures, production supply concepts, equipment solutions, and data-driven planning methods that enable stable ramp-up, lean operations, and scalable future growth.

Project Approach
Implement a structured logistics planning approach spanning analysis, conception, detailed planning, realization, and project handover. Key focus areas include Plan for Every Part (PFEP), warehouse layout and storage technology planning, material flow and route planning, transport and delivery concepts, headcount and equipment calculations, and proof-of-concept validation. Project management with internal stakeholders: open points, timelines, communication, and stable implementation/ ramp-up.
Hands-on (Go to the Gemba) logistics planning professional who can combine analytical rigor with practical shopfloor implementation. Translating manufacturing requirements into efficient logistics concepts, balancing safety, ergonomics, cost, space, flexibility, and operational performance through structured analysis and cross-functional collaboration.

• Optimized warehouse layouts, storage structures, and material flow concepts.
• Clear business cases supporting equipment, automation, and process choices.
• Reduced travel distance, congestion, handling, and process waste.
• Project planning, ramp-up readiness, and successful stakeholder alignment.
• Develop logistics concepts for warehouse structures, line-side supply, kitting, sequencing, direct delivery, and material flow.
• Support block layout development, material flow concepts, warehouse schematics, and storage technology evaluations.
• Analyze throughput, delivery frequencies, route plans, traffic patterns, and material handling requirements.
• Prepare feasibility studies, business cases, and benefit analyses for logistics equipment and automation options.
• Support supplier vetting, technical evaluations, RFQ preparation, equipment selection, SOP documentation, and ramp-up activities.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Assembly, Material Handling, Packaging Planning, Quality, Safety, IT, and external suppliers to align process requirements and implementation milestones.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Logistics, Supply Chain, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field.
• Strong experience in automotive, manufacturing, or industrial logistics planning.
• Demonstrated knowledge of material flow optimization, warehouse layout design, PFEP, line-side supply, packaging, and logistics equipment planning.
• Experience with Lean Logistics, continuous improvement, standard work, data-driven decision-making, and process standardization.
• Ability to develop layouts, business cases, decision papers, technical specifications, and implementation plans.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and logistics planning tools.
• Strong project management, stakeholder coordination, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Preferred Experience

• Experience planning automated storage systems, autonomous material transport, tugger trains, AMRs, conveyors, or other material handling equipment.
• Background in supplier management, RFQ support, technical tender evaluation, functional testing, training coordination, and final buy-off.
• Experience building dashboards, simulations, Sankey diagrams, spaghetti diagrams, traffic analyses, or other visualization tools to support logistics decisions.
• Multilingual capability is a plus, especially English, Spanish, or German.