Materials Specialist in Sumner, Iowa at Folience Inc

The Materials Specialist plays a critical role in keeping ambulance production on schedule by ensuring the right parts and materials are available at the right time. This role partners closely with Production, Engineering, Quality, and Purchasing to track down missing parts, proactively review upcoming work orders to catch potential material issues before they cause delays, and submit requisitions to purchase and replace OEM parts.

• Parts Tracking & Shortage Resolution: Collaborate with Production, Engineering, and Quality to identify, track down, and resolve missing, mis-shipped, or incorrect parts affecting build schedules.
• Vendor & Carrier Coordination: Work with vendors, freight carriers, and internal warehouse teams to trace parts through the supply chain and expedite shipments when needed.
• Pre-Emptive Work Order Review: Review upcoming work orders and bills of materials (BOMs) ahead of production to catch potential shortages, discrepancies, or engineering changes before they cause delays.
• BOM Accuracy: Cross-reference BOMs against on-hand inventory and open purchase orders, and partner with Engineering to resolve errors, obsolete part numbers, or incomplete specifications.
• Requisitions & Purchasing: Prepare and submit purchase requisitions to purchase and replace OEM parts, including expedited or additional orders as needed.
• Order Follow-Up: Confirm order status, lead times, and delivery schedules with Purchasing/Procurement, escalating critical or line-down situations as necessary.
• Substitute Parts: Help identify alternate or substitute parts when OEM components are backordered or discontinued, coordinating approval with Engineering and Quality.
• Inventory Accuracy: Support cycle counts and reconciliation of system records against physical stock, and maintain accurate part numbers, vendor data, and lead times in the ERP/MRP system.
• Meetings & Communication: Attend daily production and materials meetings to communicate shortage risks, delivery timelines, and open issues to stakeholders.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify trends in recurring shortages or process breakdowns and recommend improvements to reduce future disruptions.

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, or related field preferred.
• 2+ years of experience in materials management, purchasing, planning, or a related supply chain role, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
• Working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and general computer literacy.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and shortages simultaneously.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally across departments.
• Ability to read and interpret bills of materials (BOMs), engineering drawings, and part specifications.

• Experience in the automotive, truck upfit, emergency vehicle, or heavy equipment manufacturing industry.
• Experience working with OEM chassis manufacturers (e.g., Ford, GM, Freightliner) and their parts ordering systems.
• APICS/ASCM certification (CPIM, CSCP) a plus.

• Ability to walk the production floor regularly, including time spent in and around vehicles under assembly.
• Ability to lift up to 25–40 lbs occasionally.
• Ability to sit, stand, bend, and reach for extended periods throughout the workday.

• Manufacturing plant environment with exposure to typical shop conditions, including noise, dust, and varying temperatures.
• Regular interaction with Production, Engineering, Quality, and Purchasing teams on the shop floor and in office settings.
• Fast-paced environment requiring the ability to shift priorities quickly in response to production needs.

• Successful completion of a background check, pre-employment drug screen and physical examination.
• Successful completion of a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check, if applicable to the position.