Material Operations Manager- Indy

EOE Statement We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Description Materials Operations & Production Control Manager

Keep materials moving and production on schedule as a new Indianapolis operation grows.

About the role

Steel & O’Brien Manufacturing is seeking a hands‑on Materials Operations & Production Control Manager to support our new Indianapolis facility serving the Data Center Cooling industry. Reporting to the Operations Director, you’ll coordinate production schedules, work orders, raw materials, and purchasing activities to help meet customer commitments.

You’ll establish reliable processes, develop team members, and work with Production, Purchasing, Warehouse, Engineering, and Quality to support the facility’s startup and continued growth.

What you’ll do

• Help establish materials planning, production control, and scheduling processes as the Indianapolis facility launches and expands.
• Manage production work orders from creation through completion, including updates, communication, follow-up, and status tracking.
• Develop and maintain production schedules with the Production Manager, aligning priorities with material availability, capacity, and customer delivery requirements.
• Review contract specifications, drawings, sales orders, and project documents to understand production and material needs.
• Allocate materials to job orders, oversee raw material and tubing inventory, and purchase production materials in coordination with Purchasing.
• Monitor and expedite purchase orders that support open sales orders. Communicate shortages, delays, and recovery plans.
• Support ERP implementation, maintenance, and process improvements to keep work order, inventory, and scheduling information accurate.
• Lead and develop assigned team members by setting clear expectations and priorities. Coordinate with production expediting and assembly teams to keep work on schedule.
• Establish responsive internal customer support processes so teams can provide accurate information to external customers.
• Track schedule performance, material shortages, and work order status. Identify root causes and implement improvements.
• Work across departments to resolve issues, improve material flow, and support on‑time delivery.
• Champion safety, ethical conduct, and company values.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What you’ll bring

• An associate degree in Business or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• At least five years of experience in production planning, scheduling, materials management, or a related area.
• At least two years of leadership experience.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills, with close attention to detail.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving, root-cause analysis, and continuous improvement.
• Clear, professional communication skills and the ability to build effective working relationships across departments.
• Ability to manage changing priorities, meet deadlines, and work independently in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ERP systems. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central or other Dynamics 365 ERP experience is preferred.
• Lean Manufacturing experience preferred.
• Facility startup or production ramp-up experience is a plus.

Our culture

We value Integrity, Trust, Creativity and Courage, Teamwork, and Excellence. Our leaders encourage respectful communication, listen to employee ideas and concerns, protect confidentiality, and work across departments to improve efficiency and quality.

Working conditions and attendance

• On-site work in a fast-paced…