Manager, Material and Logistics - Spokane - Avista

Description

Overview

Job Description: To lead and manage the Materials Management and Logistics group with effective planning and execution of inventory management, warehouse management, logistics, and investment recovery objectives. Ensure the organization meets the strategic, competitive, operational, and internal needs of the company. Ensure compliance with safety, SOX, environmental, DOT, and other regulations. Lead implementation of best practices in all warehouse operations, policies, procedures, and services.

Closes: February 4, 2026

Responsibilities

• Plan, control, and administer operations, facilities, equipment, and fleet to ensure efficient and economical utilization of resources and compliance with specific internal controls. Ensure compliance of all transportation regulations including DOT for Avista transportation. Manage freight vendor relationship and performance (quality, cost, delivery, service level), non-compliance, and claim management.
• Develop and execute material and logistics strategies in conjunction with overall supply chain direction. Partner with customers to set expectations, manage performance, and integrate supply chain functions with field operations focusing on distribution warehouses and remote storerooms. Ensure exceptional service to meet customer needs.
• Manage staff engaged in scheduling, planning, ordering, receiving, storing, inventorying, issuing, packaging, staging, and transportation of materials, supplies, tools, equipment, and parts. Ensure personnel are adequately trained, equipped, and focused to accomplish objectives in the most effective and safe manner.
• Oversee materials planning and scheduling coordination efforts between operations, engineering, purchasing, and materials management to achieve business needs. Supports effective communication between warehouse staff and supply chain team to ensure strategic alignment and collaborative teamwork. Collaborates with category managers to develop and implement supplier programs. Engages with operations on large programs to ensure materials plans align with the projected work.
• Responsible for inventory strategies that account for demand and supply risk, storm/EOP material needs, labor and storage utilization, service level needs, and minimizing investment. Manage new inventory part setup, inventory transition, and material obsolescence processes.
• Direct an effective inventory control program to optimize inventory value, reliability, service level, turns, and accuracy. Establish processes and controls to ensure the integrity of the inventory system through timely and accurate reporting of inventory movement. Ensure compliance with physical inventory counting requirements. Ensure effective analysis, corrective action, and reporting of inventory activity.
• Ensure efficient, cost-effective, and timely processing of material, equipment, and tool requests to company crews and storerooms to meet service level expectations. Develop and implement material handling and storage processes and techniques to prevent damage and ensure materials are stored safely and securely. Provide leadership in Safety Management Systems and promote safe workplace practices and engagement for the team.
• Manage system-wide investment recovery operations including salvage, sales, return, redeployment, or disposal of obsolete materials, equipment, and other significant assets that have been removed from service. Oversee the testing, repair, or replacement of capital and small tools. Effectively manage processes and transactions for warranty, repairs, returns, or sales of inventory items.
• Lead cost reduction and continuous improvement initiatives. Drive lean methodology throughout material and planning processes. Enhance operational effectiveness by fostering teamwork, commitment, ownership, and communication. Create and communicate effective warehouse and inventory performance metrics.
• Working knowledge of capabilities and functions of key systems (Maximo and Oracle) and support system upgrades. Leads strategy for system planning parameters like safety stocks and forecast levels. Oversee the analysis, operation, reporting, forecasting, and system metrics.
• Ensure the achievement of financial objectives by preparing and monitoring expense, capital, and inventory budgets; reconciling variances; developing and implementing cost improvement programs.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business or related discipline with a minimum of 5 years' experience.
• 3 years of supervisory or management experience.
• Requires excellent verbal and written communication skills. Strong interpersonal, team building, and customer relation skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, planning, organization, and negotiating skills required.
• Knowledge of material requirements planning, inventory management, lean principles, transactional processes and systems, planning, receiving, distribution, logistics, purchasing practices, and general accounting principles required. Experience with Oracle ERP preferred.
• APICS certification a plus as well as familiarity with materials used in utility operations.

Other Combinations Of Education And Experience May Be Considered.

Hiring Range: $96,517 to $126,439, ML 10

This position requires an in-person presence to support team and on-site responsibilities.

To Apply

We encourage you to apply as many of our positions have multiple levels to account for an incoming employee's various knowledge, skills, and experience. Complete an online application and attach your resume and cover letter to your profile. All documents must be attached to your application at the time of submitting your application for review. No documents can be attached after you click "Submit".

Total Rewards

At Avista, our employees are the foundation of our success. Their dedication drives the value we deliver to our customers and communities. That's why we prioritize the physical, mental, and financial well-being of our team members and their families.

We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards program designed to support every stage of life and career. Our offerings include:

• Affordable healthcare options including medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Retirement benefits with an enhanced 401(k) match
• Incentive programs rewarding performance and contributions
• Competitive paid time off including holidays, personal days, and vacation
• Life and disability insurance for added peace of mind
• Wellness resources supporting mental and physical health
• Education and development support including tuition assistance
• Community giving programs encouraging employee engagement and impact
• Other optional benefits from Legal insurance, Pet insurance, and more (Eligibility subject to Bargaining Unit affiliation)

To learn more, please visit our benefits website at

We are committed to maintaining a competitive and equitable total rewards package that attracts and retains a diverse, skilled, and engaged workforce.

In compliance with state laws, we provide the full salary range for each position, along with the typical hiring range based on qualifications, experience, and internal equity. The full salary range for this position is [Insert Full Range $min to $maximum]. Questions regarding compliance with this requirement can be directed to

Pre-employment Screening Requirements

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a drug test, background check and motor vehicle records review.

Avista's Commitment to Equal Opportunity

Avista is a safe, inclusive workplace for people of all backgrounds, and we are committed to Equal Opportunity Employment. All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, age, sensory, mental or physical disability (unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification), Veteran status or any other classification protected by nondiscrimination laws.

Please view Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here. Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you require any special accommodations to participate fully in our recruitment process. Avista will make reasonable accommodation to assist a qualified person with a disability in the job application, interview process, and to perform the essential functions of the job whenever possible, where undue hardship would not be created for Avista. Please contact us at if you would like assistance.