Material Flow Engineering Manager

Material Flow Engineering Manager

Location: Normal, IL (or would consider Atlanta, GA with 30% travel to Normal)
Pay Rate: $66.50–$71.50/hr USD Duration: 1-Year Contract

Our client, a high-growth automotive manufacturer, is seeking a Manager of Material Flow & Logistics Engineering to lead the strategy, design, and execution of material handling systems across a high-volume production environment. This role owns everything from automation deployment and warehouse layout design to data systems architecture and cross‑functional project leadership, ensuring material flows safely, efficiently, and on schedule from receiving through delivery to the production line.

In this role, you will manage and support a variety of projects within the Logistics and Material Flow department.

Key responsibilities include:

• Directing the deployment and integration of material handling automation, including AGVs, ASRS, and conveyor systems, while monitoring performance and optimizing throughput in real time
• Leading the development, modeling, and analysis of material flow strategies (sequencing, batching, storage) to achieve optimal cost, space utilization, and throughput
• Overseeing the optimization and maintenance of cross‑functional databases to ensure data integrity for material tracking and inventory control
• Collaborating with IT to architect and implement digital systems supporting evolving operational requirements
• Configuring control cycles and logic for FLP and PACE systems to automate material replenishment triggers
• Strategizing IT hardware requirements and overseeing deployment of technology interfaces across the production floor
• Overseeing the creation of efficient, Lean, and safe factory layouts and material flow plans
• Designing high‑efficiency warehouse layouts, including kitting cells, AGV pathways, and optimized material supply routes
• Specifying and integrating material handling assets, including tuggers, AGVs, forklifts, and custom‑engineered racking systems
• Partnering with Manufacturing Engineering to design material delivery solutions (dollies, lift tables, GFRs) aligned with packaging ergonomics
• Engaging with the Continuous Improvement team to prototype equipment and optimize cycle times
• Managing cross‑functional project teams, vendor relationships, and project timelines to deliver on safety, quality, and production metrics
• Conducting data‑driven workload analysis to determine headcount requirements and labor allocation
• Leading formal buy‑off procedures with Operations to ensure new processes meet safety, ergonomic, and throughput standards
• Driving project momentum through weekly status reporting, cross‑functional alignment meetings, and proactive bottleneck escalation
• Authoring Work Instructions (SOPs) and Job Cards to standardize tasks and minimize process variation
• Providing subject matter expertise during conceptual phases of new projects to ensure "Design for Logistics" principles are applied

• 5–10 years of experience in high‑volume manufacturing OEM, logistics, or supply chain engineering, including at least 5 years in a formal supervisory or leadership capacity
• 2+ years' experience with data‑based development of end‑to‑end supply chain, logistics, and/or material flow processes for high‑volume, high‑complexity production or logistics facilities
• 2+ years' experience with CAD software (AutoCAD) for layout planning

• Strong capability in data analysis tools (Excel/Google Sheets) with the analytical ability to break down complex problems and derive actionable results
• Hands‑on experience with key manufacturing and logistics systems such as MES, MRP, or WMS
• Exceptional analytical abilities, proven leadership qualities, and strong communication skills to navigate a fast‑paced, high‑growth, ambiguous environment
• Preferred:
  Experience with Yard Management Systems (YMS)
• Preferred:
  Experience with modeling/simulation software (Flex Sim, Any Logic, etc.) and data visualization tools (MS Power BI)
• Preferred:
  Ability to translate Engineering and Design direction into focused supply‑chain solutions

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, or a related field required
• MBA or Master's degree preferred

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