Materials Manager in South Bend, Indiana at Lerman Holding CO Inc

Summary:

The SB Unit Materials Manager is responsible for the full lifecycle management of inventory within an assigned gauge/product range, including receiving quality, inventory accuracy, supplier (mill) performance, and cross-functional coordination with Sales, Quality, and Operations. This role combines traditional materials/inventory management with data-driven analysis and continuous improvement, driving proactive, upstream corrective actions rather than reactive inspection responses.

Objectives:

? Optimize material utilization and profitability

? Manage inventory ratios to fulfill customer demand and prevent scheduling/processing disruptions

? Reduce receiving-related packaging and quality claims through proactive supplier collaboration and root-cause analysis

? Maintain data accuracy and reporting integrity across inventory, quality, and claims systems

? Support a culture of continuous improvement and cross-departmental collaboration

? Get with your department Manager when you feel it’s time to downgrade, or move material to keep cycling through material

? Assign all material in the gauge range you are assigned to, that will also include the assignment of specialty items like: Floorplate, AR450, and Customer Owned Inventory.

Major Responsibilities/Functions:

? Must be proactive in situations to stop them before they become issues. Ask for assistance from Department Manager of needed

? Review material “on hold” from previous date(s) and collaborate with the sales team to make the best decision/risk analysis

? Review unplanned/planned material returned to inventory from operational processes to determine the best next step/risk scenario

? Provide timely responses to material inquiries from the sales force to maximize business opportunities

? Partner with mill technical representatives on quality/surface identification, root-cause analysis, and improvement concepts

? Track, analyze, and review “On/Off Claim at Receiving” defect rates by supplier mill; identify systemic packaging, banding, or handling failure modes (e.g., oscillation, loose wraps, telescoping) and help drive corrective action plans

? Manage daily master contract bucket changes and analyze high/low inventory ratios to make sure we are in line

? Bring any discrepancies found to the ISR, OSR, and Commercial Manager if needed to find out what the problem is.

? Manage sales backlogs daily in a timely manner to meet sales expectations and customer demands

? Review and maximize profit-and-loss (P&L) performance from previous orders to understand and enhance profitability margins

? Manage “Aged Inventory”, identifying how material can meet other applications and sales opportunities, and come up with ideas to implement using this aged material to the Department Manager

? Maintain inventory accuracy through reconciliation, and ERP system data integrity

? Coordinate with Purchasing on supplier/mill relationships, scorecards, and expedite processes

? Review all daily reports you receive, and act on them, including opportunities on Call Reports from the Outside Sales Department

? Ensure compliance with departmental SOPs, quality protocols, and applicable regulatory/customer requirements

? Promote and maintain a safe working environment in accordance with company safety standards

? Be involved in special projects from Material Department Manager

? Perform other duties as assigned

Education & Requirements:

Bachelor's degree preferred (Business, Supply Chain, Operations, or related field); equivalent experience considered

? Minimum of 3-5 years’ sales and/or steel material experience required within the steel service center spectrum

? Experience with inventory management and/or ERP systems

? Working knowledge of data analysis/reporting tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI) preferred

? Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; root-cause analysis experience a plus

? Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including cross-communication between all departments and locations in all Steel Warehouse locations.

? Positive Team attitude. Always be part of the Solution & work with anyone needing assistance

? Proactive approach to problem identification and resolution

? Familiarity with continuous improvement / Lean Six Sigma principles a plus