Sr. Materials Manager - Fenton, United States - 8th Ave Food & Provisions

Description

Business Unit Description:

8th Avenue Food & Provisions is a growing organization made up of businesses that produce and sell quality products including pasta, peanut butter, granola, and fruit and nut trail mixes to retail, foodservice and ingredient customers. The company was formed in October 2018 through a combination of Post Holdings private brands businesses and is owned by Post Holdings and funds affiliated with Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. (THL), a private equity firm.

Position Summary:

As the Senior Materials Manager, you will play a crucial role in managing the end-to-end materials supply chain to ensure the seamless production and delivery of high-quality food products. Working closely with materials managers at 10 owned production facilities and with 3d Party suppliers, you will be responsible for overseeing the ordering, inventory management, and supplier performance in the areas of raw materials, packaging supplies, and other essential components required in the manufacturing process to help ensure delivery of the perfect order at the lowest total supply chain cost.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Inventory Management

• Oversee the inventory levels of raw materials and finished goods to optimize production efficiency while minimizing holding costs.
• Implement a robust inventory tracking system to monitor stock levels and trigger reorder points.
• Analyze historical data and demand patterns to optimize inventory levels and reduce carrying costs.
• Coordinate with production planning to align inventory levels with production schedules.
• Implement FIFO (First In, First Out) and other inventory control strategies to minimize waste.
• Conduct regular audits to ensure inventory accuracy and address discrepancies promptly.

Quality Assurance

• Develop and implement quality control procedures for incoming materials.
• Collaborate with the quality assurance team to conduct supplier audits and assess compliance with quality standards.
• Establish and maintain a system for tracking and reporting quality-related issues.
• Implement corrective and preventive actions to address quality deviations.
• Stay informed about changes in food safety regulations and industry quality standards.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Facilitate regular meetings with cross-functional teams to share information and address challenges in the supply chain.
• Collaborate with production teams to align material procurement with production schedules.
• Work closely with logistics teams to optimize transportation and delivery schedules.
• Engage with quality assurance teams to address and resolve issues related to material quality.
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders to ensure a unified approach to supply chain management.

Continuous Improvement

• Lead cross-functional teams in identifying and implementing process improvements in materials management.
• Utilize data analytics to identify inefficiencies and areas for optimization.
• Stay informed about emerging technologies and automation solutions in supply chain management.
• Encourage a culture of continuous improvement through training and development programs within the plant materials management teams.
• Conduct regular performance reviews of the materials management process and implement adjustments as needed.

Supply Chain Risk Management

• Conduct risk assessments of the materials supply chain to identify potential vulnerabilities.
• Develop and implement risk mitigation strategies and contingency plans.
• Monitor geopolitical, economic, and environmental factors that may impact the supply chain.
• Identify slow-moving raw materials and own the end-to-end process of reducing those at-risk inventories.
• Communicate closely with Finance to ensure that any financial risk for expired/obsolete materials is clearly understood.

Competencies / Skills/ Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment.
• Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite or similar software with the ability to learn new or updated software.

Education and Experience Required:

• Bachelors degree from a 4-year college or university in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field required, along with 8-10 years of related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. An advanced degree or professional certification is a plus.
• Proven experience in materials management, procurement, or supply chain roles within the food industry.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements related to food safety and quality.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to use data to drive decision-making.
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency in JD Edwards or similar ERP software system.

Certification / Licenses:

• Must possess a valid U.S. Drivers License

Physical Requirements:

• This position is regularly required to communicate with others, both oral and written.
• This position is occasionally required to stand, walk, use hands handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Travel:

• This position may travel up to 20% of the time.