Job Title: Specialist, Material Management

Job Code: 14773

Job Location: Fort Wayne, IN

Job Description:

Lead, manage, and guide all Supply Chain activities from proposal stage through Program award and execution for micro through large complex programs from development through long-term production for all purchased material items including influencing design for supply chain success, requisition through purchase order placement, prioritization, material status, receipt, inventory, and customer disposition. Support procurement efforts to maximize cost effectiveness within the schedule requirements of each assigned contract. Determine supply chain risks, establish mitigation plans, and execute on the defined plans. Report material budget variances and supply chain health problems as appropriate for resolution. Provide leadership and oversight for the Materials Management function.

Program Management Support:

• Serve as the supply chain interface to the program team and align integrated supply chain resources and solutions with business needs.
• Support, lead, and/or chair material status meetings utilizing tailored data. Provide targeted information for review by program teams. Deliver presentations to very large audiences (more than 50) and leaders.
• Develop a financial forecast for material that aligns with earned value requirements in the program schedule. (EVMS). Lead estimate to complete reviews with finance and engineering (EAC/ETC). Provide reports and variance analysis information for material EVMS.
• Maintain program material cost, delivery, and labor baseline including change requests.
• Support and/or lead the development of supply chain deliverables in support of NPD stage gate processes.
• Collaborate with program to develop acceptable material schedules that encompass lead-times and operational queue times. Work with IPT to value material milestones and timelines.
• Represent supply chain and provide input at gate reviews, EAC reviews and program reviews.
• Assign and manage CID

Material Management:

• Master Production Schedule (MPS) and MRP (under general supervision):
  • MPS maintenance and oversight; entry of item data and Bill of Material (BOM).
  • May load and maintain the Master Production Schedule within guidelines to achieve program milestones and timelines (aka Master Scheduling).
  • Mentor others on complex functionalities of MRP and its appropriate application to yield zero aged unassigned requirements, minimal aged floor stock levels, and no material issuance without a demand.
  • Manage timely and complete purchase requisition release to general procurement and subcontracts teams.
• Collaborate with Production Planning and Inventory/Warehouse/Logistics in the execution of the build plan.
  • Expedite FMR and MTO approvals through the system; provide guidance and training.
  • Develop management strategies for inventory not planned by MRP.
  • Provide guidance: identify root causes of all demand or transactional errors and receiving issues (RDR); resolve and facilitatecorrective actions.
• Work independently to engage cross functional groups in the implementation of risk mitigation actions to prevent problems from occurring.
• Facilitate and provide guidance for program closeout of material related contractual obligations (e.g. deliveries and open commitments, subcontracts HFM, material account close-out, residual material disposition).
• Interact as a functional representative/subject matter expert internally with management. Interacts with external customers and auditors to provide information. Provide auditors requested information in a timely manner.
• As the Supply Chain point of contact (POC) for the program team (all functions), ensure timely issue resolution for questions, requests, requirements, and concerns.
• Lead and mentor others. Provide coaching and training to others.

Proposal Support:

•  Responsible for (or lead) proposal efforts of moderate or greater complexity (including (NPD), to encompass the delivery and presentation of PCR content, peer reviews.
• Lead the material bid process to accurately cost material and maintain proposal schedules. Categorize material elements of cost and independently outline proposed execution strategy. Influence proposal assumptions to maximize supply chain value. Develop Supply Chain labor basis of estimates (BOE).

Operational Excellence:

• Partner with supply chain data analytics to develop metrics and reports that enable visible and comprehensive materials management and status. Meet established performance metrics and fully understand each metric's source, purpose, and affect.
• Lead and/or perform through supply chain risk and opportunity assessments; develop strategies in collaboration with Procurement, Subcontracts, Production Planning, Quality, Engineering, Finance, Program Management, and MM staff to mitigate risk and support material procurement.
• Support all audit activities as requested.
• Refer to policies and practices for guidance and compliance. Exercise judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action. Interpret operational processes, practices, and procedures of the job area for others. Mentor lower-level material managers.
• Lead functional projects/teams as assigned. Develop solutions to a variety of problems of moderate scope and complexity.
• Work independently to engage cross functional groups to create and implement of risk mitigation actions to prevent problems from occurring.
• Propose sound and innovative business solutions that contribute to business unit success.
• Contribute to training materials.
• Any other duties needed to deliver innovative solutions for our customers’ mission-critical challenges and abide by our organization’s values.

Essential Functions:

• Subject matter expert for Supply Chain principles and concepts, data analytics, strategy development and execution in compliance with FAR, MMAS, MAAR-13, and CAS.
• Collaborate with the program team to define appropriate execution methods to meet cash flow, cost, and schedule objectives upon program startup and during rolling wave.
• Solve problems of high complexity by leveraging experience and through analysis of data. Pursues permanent resolution and institutes preventative actions by following RCCA principles.
• Understands cross functional data sources/influences and is able to extract and identify trends and correlations in the data.  Develops and implements action plans to address the trends.
• Thorough comprehension of the use and purpose of MRP/Control, Cognos, PeopleSoft Financials, and PDM and the interfaces between each. Optimizes the use of each system to maximize efficiency including developing custom structures.
• Work independently and delegates pieces of complex work to support personnel. Provides coaching and training to others.

Qualifications: 

• Education / experience (Material Management, Supply Chain Management, Logistics Management, Marketing, Operations Management or Business Management):
  • Bachelor's Degree and minimum 4 years of Material Management/relevant experience
  • Graduate Degree and 2 years Material Management/relevant experience
  • In lieu of a degree, minimum of 8 years of prior related experience.
• Total relevant professional experience to be minimum 8 years in Material Management, and a combination of one or more of the following directly related to Supply Chain, MM, Material Planning, MRP/MPS, Production Planning, Production Control, Manufacturing Engineering, coursework, or practical experience that demonstrates analytical ability, strategy development and execution.
• 7 years of experience using MRP systems software.
• Minimum 5 years experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, WORD, Excel (including pivot tables, V-lookup, etc.), PowerPoint, etc.)

Preferred Additional Skills:

• Master Production Scheduling experience 
• Extensive knowledge, application, and understanding of FAR, MMAS, MAAR-13, and CAS.
• Subject matter expert; demonstrated application of Supply Chain principles and concepts, portfolio of strategy development and execution.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with a wide array of management and professional levels and functions.
• Experience working in the US DOD manufacturing industry.
• Understanding of and basic knowledge of the manufacturing process.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Experience with CINCOM Control, Agile PLM, PDM, Expo, TrakStar, RIDS, PeopleSoft financial system, and Kinaxis Rapid Response is a plus.