Senior Manager, Materials - 3rd Shift

At GE Appliances, a Haier company, we come together to make “good things, for life.”  As the fastest-growing appliance company in the U.S., we’re powered by creators, thinkers and makers who believe that anything is possible and that there’s always a better way.  We believe in the power of our people and in giving them the freedom to explore, discover and build good things, together.

The GE Appliances philosophy, backed by three simple commitments defines the way we work, invent, create, do business, and serve our communities:  we come together ,  we always look for a better way , and  we create possibilities .

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and must be able to maintain such authorization without current or future employer or school sponsorship. GE Appliances will not sponsor employment-based visas for this position now or in the future.

Interested in joining us on our journey?

The Senior Materials Manager provides strategic and operational leadership for materials management, ensuring efficient material flow, production readiness, and inventory control to support plant objectives. This role leads and develops the hourly Materials team while partnering closely with Manufacturing, Quality, and other cross-functional teams to drive improvements in safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance. The Senior Materials Manager oversees material availability, scheduling execution, and inventory management through Oracle EBS, leveraging data-driven decision-making and structured problem-solving to improve operational efficiency. This role champions Lean continuous improvement, reinforces standard work and visual management, leads EHS initiatives, and drives variable cost productivity to achieve business goals. Through strong team development and a culture of accountability, the Senior Materials Manager ensures materials processes consistently support production requirements and long-term operational excellence.
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Senior Manager, Materials - 3rd Shift
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USA, Decatur, AL

How You'll Create Possibilities

- Lead and Develop Materials Operations: Lead, coach, and develop the hourly Materials team, including team leaders, to ensure reliable material flow, production readiness, and alignment with plant performance objectives.
- Own Third-Shift Operational Performance: Provide hands-on leadership across materials operations during third shift, proactively addressing material shortages, scheduling disruptions, inventory discrepancies, and other issues that could impact production, quality, or delivery.
- Drive Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Manufacturing, Quality, Maintenance, and other support teams to resolve operational challenges, minimize production downtime, improve ergonomics, reduce scrap, and strengthen overall plant performance.
- Lead Lean Continuous Improvement: Champion Lean methodologies and the Appliance Production System to eliminate waste, improve material flow, strengthen standard work, and deliver measurable improvements in safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
- Optimize Material Availability and Inventory: Oversee material scheduling, inventory accuracy, and production readiness using Oracle EBS and supporting data. Identify trends, resolve systemic issues, and implement sustainable solutions to improve material availability and inventory control.
- Build a Culture of Accountability and Problem-Solving: Establish clear expectations for team performance and operational goals. Apply structured problem-solving tools, including A3s and root cause analysis, to address recurring issues, track corrective actions, and sustain results.
- Develop Frontline Leadership: Strengthen team leader capability through coaching, performance management, and accountability. Build a team that can independently identify problems, prioritize competing demands, and execute daily operating routines effectively.
- Champion Safety and Employee Engagement: Foster a proactive safety culture through consistent EHS compliance, safe starts, safety contacts, and timely incident investigations. Lead initiatives that reduce OSHA recordables and lost-time incidents while improving employee engagement and safe work practices.
- Improve Quality and Reduce Cost of Poor Quality: Ensure materials processes support plant quality objectives by improving material handling, inventory accuracy, and process adherence while reducing scrap, defects, and other quality-related costs.
- Deliver Labor and Productivity Improvements: Drive variable cost productivity through labor optimization, reduced overtime, improved hours per unit, and more efficient allocation of materials resources without compromising safety, quality, or production requirements.
- Use Data to Drive Performance: Leverage Oracle EBS reporting, operational KPIs, and visual management to identify performance gaps, anticipate material constraints, prioritize corrective actions, and improve decision-making across the Materials team.
- Ensure Effective Shift Execution and Handoffs: Maintain alignment with other shifts and plant leadership through clear communication, disciplined escalation, and effective handoffs to ensure continuity of material flow, consistent execution, and sustained operational performance.

What You'll Bring to Our Team

- 5+ years of leadership experience in a manufacturing or supply chain environment, with demonstrated success leading teams, implementing projects, and improving operational performance.
- Demonstrated technical and operational knowledge across supply chain functions, including materials management, manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, procurement, quality, and fulfillment.
- Proven ability to lead teams in a fast-paced, high-volume manufacturing environment while balancing safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives.
- Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify root causes, implement corrective actions, and deliver sustainable results.
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives, influence stakeholders, and drive process improvements through collaboration and accountability.
- Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
- Experience leading Materials or Supply Chain operations in a high-volume manufacturing environment, including responsibility for material availability, inventory accuracy, production scheduling, and operational performance.
- Demonstrated leadership experience in a unionized manufacturing environment, including the development of hourly employees and frontline leaders.
- Experience using ERP systems, preferably Oracle EBS, to manage materials planning, inventory control, scheduling, and operational reporting.
- Working knowledge of Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, DMAIC, A3 problem-solving, and other continuous improvement methodologies. Six Sigma certification is a plus.
- Proven ability to improve operational KPIs, including material availability, inventory accuracy, production downtime, labor productivity, overtime, scrap, and cost performance.
- Strong organizational and prioritization skills, with the ability to make timely decisions and manage competing demands in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrated success leading team-based projects, implementing process changes, and sustaining improvements through standard work, visual management, and accountability.
- Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate operational priorities, performance expectations, and improvement plans effectively across all levels of the organization.
- High level of initiative, adaptability, and accountability, with a commitment to employee development, workplace safety, and continuous improvement.

Working Conditions

- Work is performed in both office and high-volume manufacturing environments, requiring regular presence on the production floor.
- This position supports third-shift operations. Candidates must be able to work the designated shift schedule and provide operational leadership during overnight production hours.
- The role requires the ability to navigate the manufacturing environment and comply with all applicable safety requirements, including the use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, and protective footwear.
- May occasionally require lifting materials or products weighing up to 25 pounds.

Our Culture

Our work is centered on our People and Culture as reflected in our Zero Distance philosophy and we recognize the importance of reaffirming our commitment to inclusion and diversity (I&D). This underscores our commitment to fostering an environment where every individual feels valued, connected, and empowered to contribute, while positioning our organization to adapt seamlessly to the evolving needs of our workforce and communities.

This reflects our dedication to creating solutions that: Empower colleagues by fostering an environment where all voices are heard, valued, and encouraged to contribute. Strengthen communities where we live and work. Reinforce a culture of belonging, purpose, and engagement. Reflect the diversity of the communities we serve through our workforce, products, and practices.

By further embedding Zero Distance into our People and Culture framework, we will continue to build a deeply connected organization. We are cultivating a culture of engagement, belonging, and connection, because while attracting new talent remains a priority, retention is a cornerstone of our strategy.

GE Appliances is a trust-based organization. It is important we offer our employees the flexibility they need to do their best work while balancing the needs of the business and individuals. When you join GE Appliances, you will have the opportunity to work with your leader to create a flexible work arrangement that balances the needs of the individual, team, and organization.

GE Appliances is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

GE Appliances participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance or an accommodation to use our website or to apply, please send an e-mail to [email protected]