Materials, Logistics, & Customer Service Team Lead

Materials, Logistics, & Customer Service Team Lead

Danville, KY, US, 40422-9560 Requisition: 63833

The focus of this role would be on Customer Service/Shipping Management providing leadership for customer service/order management and shipping & warehouse operations. This role owns on time delivery, inventory accuracy, and order to cash execution using the company's MRP/ERP environment—SAP required—to translate customer demand and forecasts into executable plans. The manager leads cross functional coordination with Production, Quality, Engineering, Purchasing, Sales/Customer Service, and Finance to exceed safety, quality, delivery, and cost targets.

Responsibilities / Duties to include but not limited to the following:

• Own the end to end order management process: order entry/changes, acknowledgements, status updates, expedites, and issue resolution in SAP.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for customers; maintain regular communication on delivery status, constraints, and recovery plans.
• Ensure customer portal/website requirements, labeling, and documentation are met; proactively identify delivery risks and implement corrective actions.
• Establish and track service KPIs (e.g., OTIF, past due order aging, response time) and drive continuous improvement in customer experience.
• Lead receiving, warehousing, picking, packing, staging, and on time shipment of quality parts to customers.
• Reduce backorders and shipping errors; optimize warehouse layout and re warehousing for maximum storage and flow.
• Oversee shipping documentation, labeling, and routing compliance; collaborate with carriers to trace, expedite, or resolve delayed/missing shipments.
• Maintain system integrity for all inventory movements and transactions in SAP.
• Review weekly/daily sales and forecast data; analyze forecast error/bias; set priorities based on customer need and production availability.
• Coordinate engineering changes, special trials, and PPAP runs with cross functional teams, revising schedules as needed for material/labor constraints.
• Own the cycle count and physical inventory programs: training, execution, variance analysis, corrective actions, and reporting of accuracy trends within the Shipping Department.
• Partner with Quality to prevent recurrence of nonconformances; lead corrective and preventive actions impacting delivery or inventory.
• Champion Lean methods (5S, value stream mapping, kaizen, continuous flow) to reduce costs, improve cash flow, and enhance safety and quality.
• Support the implementation of new technology and standard operating procedures (DOS, SOPs); present key summaries in staff meetings.
• Lead, coach, and develop Customer Service and Shipping/Warehouse teams; plan labor and schedules aligned to demand.
• Set clear goals, conduct performance reviews, and build a culture of accountability, safety, and teamwork.
• Manage departmental processes and adhere to budget, expense control, and audit/compliance expectations.
• Perform any additional duties as assigned by the manager to support departmental or organizational needs.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in manufacturing (materials/customer service/warehouse/logistics), including 7+ years in a supervisory or manager role.
• Automotive manufacturing experience. Knowledge of Customer Base across Light Vehicle, Heavy Duty and Off Highway.
• Bachelor's degree in business, Supply Chain, Operations, or related field preferred (or equivalent experience).
• Experience with customer portals/websites, shop floor reporting, and PPAP coordination.
• SAP ERP required (ECC or S/4HANA) with hands on experience in MRP, order management, inventory transactions, and basic planning (SD/MM/PP exposure).
• Strong knowledge of MRP system operation, production planning/scheduling, capacity planning, and inventory control.
• Demonstrated success in resolving customer issues and improving delivery, inventory accuracy, and data integrity.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, Word); strong analytical, organizational, and problem solving skills.
• Proven ability to lead cross functional teams, manage competing priorities under pressure, and communicate clearly (written and verbal).
• Knowledge of Lean principles (5S, value stream mapping, kaizen, continuous flow).

Physical Demands

• Frequent use of hands to type, write, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms.
• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods; talk and hear to communicate effectively.
• Occasional climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling.
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Special vision requirements include close vision, ability to see detail, adjust focus, and view a computer screen for extended periods.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.