Materials Manager

Ainsley Search Group is conducting a search for an experienced Materials Manager to join a well-established automotive components manufacturer in Spartanburg County Area.

This position will be responsible for leading the materials and supply chain functions within a large, high-volume manufacturing operation. The successful candidate will oversee production planning, inventory performance, warehouse activities, and the coordination of materials throughout the facility.

We are seeking a hands‑on leader who understands the demands of automotive manufacturing, can effectively utilize SAP to support daily operations, and has a proven ability to improve inventory performance while maintaining production efficiency and customer satisfaction.

• Direct plant‑level materials operations, ensuring components and supplies are available to meet manufacturing schedules.
• Manage and develop a team responsible for production planning, inventory control, warehouse operations, and outbound shipments.
• Leverage SAP to monitor inventory, coordinate material requirements, and improve visibility across manufacturing operations.
• Work closely with production leadership to align material availability with daily and long‑term manufacturing schedules.
• Establish effective inventory practices to minimize excess stock, improve accuracy, and maintain appropriate supply levels.
• Identify opportunities to streamline the movement of materials throughout the facility and eliminate operational bottlenecks.
• Coordinate with purchasing, production, and customer service teams to address shortages, schedule changes, and delivery concerns.
• Oversee shipping and receiving activities to ensure accurate transactions and timely movement of incoming and outgoing materials.
• Evaluate departmental performance using inventory, scheduling, delivery, and operational efficiency metrics.
• Implement process improvements that reduce unnecessary costs, strengthen inventory control, and improve overall plant performance.
• Develop employees through coaching, performance management, and ongoing training.
• Partner with plant leadership on operational priorities, resource planning, and departmental objectives.
• Promote a safe, organized, and efficient working environment while supporting established manufacturing quality standards.

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in materials management, production control, or manufacturing supply chain operations.
• Previous experience within a Tier 1 automotive manufacturing environment strongly preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of SAP required.
• Demonstrated experience leading materials, production planning, and logistics teams in a manufacturing facility.
• Solid understanding of material requirements planning (MRP), inventory optimization, and production scheduling.
• Experience supporting high-volume manufacturing operations with demanding delivery requirements.
• Knowledge of just‑in‑time (JIT) manufacturing and automotive supply chain practices.
• Proven ability to improve inventory accuracy, reduce material shortages, and optimize operational costs.
• Strong leadership, analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate across production, purchasing, quality, and operations departments.
• Experience with plastics manufacturing, injection molding, or related automotive components is a plus.
• Familiarity with automotive quality systems and continuous improvement methodologies preferred.