Manufacturing MP&L Manager

Location : 10501 NW Transcon Dr, Kansas City, MO 64153

Who We Are:

Challenge is a leading employee-owned tier 1 supplier of complex metal assemblies for the global automotive industry. Challenge fosters a culture of collaboration, diversity, and innovation. We believe the best ideas come from individual unique perspectives. These ideas combined with the teamwork of industry experts allow us to accomplish any challenge. Our team members take pride in the work we do every day and they are the true driving force in our operations.

Challenge is proud to be one of the largest employee-owned automotive companies in North America. One of the many benefits of joining the Challenge team is the ESOP program. This program allows Challenge to give shares of the Company to all employee-owners annually. These shares are an additional retirement benefit that will continue to grow during your time at Challenge. Being part of an ESOP means our employee-owners share in Challenge’s success!

Challenge is #PeoplePowered and #EmployeeOwned !

Who We Want:

The MPL (Material Planning and Logistics) Manager is responsible for managing a group of Materials Analysts and Packaging Engineers, ensuring adherence to customer requirements and execution of the CMC shipping and receiving policies and procedures.  Responsible for managing KPI reporting and improvement for the following: freight costs, on-time delivery, inventory adjustments, line items past due, and cycle counts completed. The MPL Manager will work to train and develop the plant materials teams, materials analysts, and packaging engineers. They are subject matter experts in our ordering, receiving, shipping, and cycle counting processes and procedures. They will also develop processes to maximize stewardship, safety, quality and productivity across the company.

What You'll Do:

  • Assess the skill level of Materials Managers, Materials Analysts, and Packaging Engineers to provide training as needed to advance skills
  • Train newly hired Material Managers and create and implement continual education to material management
  • Monitor material analyst KPI’s for accuracy and lead efforts to improve metrics
  • Plan and manage results of Annual Physical Inventories
  • Track production volume and monitor customer demand patterns
  • Participate in launch meetings to plan out activities in future time periods and audit for BOM accuracy and forecasting parameters
  • Drive team for thorough analysis of material adjustments and ensure detailed investigation and comprehensive corrective actions are put in place
  • Driving continuous improvements, problem solving activities and stretch Delivery targets
  • Review demand and supply to understand bottleneck and propose alternative capacity or areas needing capacity improvement to meet demand
  • Participate in business planning meetings to plan out activities in future time periods
  • Promote transparent communications between supplier and customer regarding manufacturing limitations and/or opportunities
  • Participate in launch of new Challenge Mfg plants
  • Performing other duties as necessary in support of business objectives

When and Where:

This will be a 1st Shift / 7AM-4PM M-F position located at our Plant in Kansas City, MO. 

What You Need to Have:

  • Bachelor’s degree (major or concentration in Supply Chain Management/Logistics is a strong plus
  •  Minimum of five years’ work experience in a manufacturing environment
  • Proven leadership experience required
  • Ability to create accountability and to lead by example
  • Strong team building, decision-making and people management skills
  • In depth understanding and working knowledge of Inventory Control, Shipping, and Receiving
  •  Masters’s degree preferred (MBA or concentration in Supply Chain Management/Logistics is a strong plus)
  • 5+ years of experience in material planning, inventory management, purchasing, or a related position
  •  Experience with Plex Systems ERP strongly preferred
  •  Previous experience in automotive industry preferred

 

What We Offer:

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, Health Savings Account with annual employer contributions, Flexible Spending Accounts, Company-Paid Short-Term Disability and Basic Life, Voluntary Life and LTD, Employer 401k Match, ESOP shares, tuition reimbursement, and paid time off.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.