Materials Manager - Power Systems Division

Miller is about building things that matter. We lead the welding industry in building advanced, solution-focused products and meeting crucial needs for welding safety and health. Our products are designed with our users for manufacturing, fabrication, construction, aviation, motorsports, education, agriculture, and marine applications. Headquartered in Appleton, Wisconsin, and wholly owned by Illinois Tool Works (acquired in 1993). Miller Electric maintains its industry leadership by setting the standard for reliability, quality, and responsiveness. Our tagline, "The Power of Blue," is inspired by the blue color of Miller equipment.

The company began with an innovation that responded to customer needs, growing from a one-man operation in 1929, to the world's largest manufacturer of arc welding products. Miller keeps the tradition alive by focusing on its top priority: people. Fun fact: Niels Miller started the company in his little garage; similar to Jeff Bezos and Steve Jobs!

Are you an experienced people leader within Materials or Supply Chain that is looking for an opportunity to make an impact?

As the Materials Manager at Miller Electric's Power Systems Division, you will spearhead the development and performance of all global procurement and supply chain activities, managing approximately $200 million in direct and indirect spend. You will lead procurement and supply chain operations, driving both short-term and long-term initiatives with a focus on strategic sourcing. Your expertise will ensure our new product development remains competitive through meticulous evaluation of the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

In this pivotal role, you will lead and mentor a team of high-performing exempt-level professionals, coaching and developing them to achieve success. Your efforts will significantly impact the division, as you collaborate closely with Suppliers, Engineering, Operations, and the Sourcing Category Manager to create synergies that propel our business forward.

How you will make an impact:

Supplier Management

• Negotiate with suppliers, manage contracts and build strong relationships.

• Track supplier performance and provide feedback for opportunities through quarterly business reviews, root cause analysis, and audits.

• Analyzes supplier financial position to assess viability by assessing strengths, weaknesses, tracking KPIs and financial development of supplier.

• Utilize historical and current demand to provide Market Rate of Demand (MRD) outlook to suppliers on an as-needed basis to support customer demand and production, ensuring supplier compliance with MRD commitments for lead time and holding of finished goods.

• Monitor contract compliance and re-negotiate contract improvements.

• Support ITW supplier diversity metrics.

Strategic Sourcing Strategies

• Develop category-specific sourcing strategies, by analyzing internal and external data.

• Develop, implement and drive sourcing strategies through data analysis and purchasing expertise.

• Monitor results and adjust strategy as market conditions evolve.

• Determine best manufacturing process; insource vs outsource.

• Manage New Product Development projects; materials through end of life controlling scrap, onboarding new suppliers, and ramp up of new parts working closely with engineering.

Risk Management

• Manage supply risk analysis for multiple locations working with internal/external teams to validate raw material alternatives to maintain supply and offset price increases.

• Monitoring and ownership of KPIs: MOH (months on hand) and inventory grading risk for raw materials as well as cycle counts, PPV.

• Present key materials trends, issues, and inflation & deflation forecast to the Division to manage monthly, quarterly, and annual outlook.

People Leadership

• Strategically lead the Materials & Supply Chain team.

• Build a positive and inclusive workplace culture and continue strong employee engagement.

• Coach and develop work teams to have positive and proactive attitudes, personal accountability, and superior quality.

What you need to do to be successful in this role:

• Driven to make a positive impact: Self-starter, conscientious, detail-oriented, enthusiastic with a positive attitude and able to work with ambiguity. Able to work effectively and efficiently under tight timelines in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

• People leadership and drive accountability: Empower team members to take initiative, make decisions, and contribute to strategic goals.

• Negotiate and Influence: Knowledgeable in category management and strategic sourcing with knowledge of business improvement techniques and their practical application.

• Analysis & Strategy: understand category-specific business, technology, and market trends. Ability to understand supply market and alternative/competitive products within the industry.

• Communication & Presentation Skills: Excellent verbal and written skills both business and technical nature with strong presentation skills.

• Build collaborative relationships: Ability to identify, assess and execute savings initiatives beyond the traditional Raw Material price negotiations (e.g., Value Analysis/Value Engineering) and to successfully work cross-functionally (primarily engineering) to get these projects completed.

• Business Acumen: Ability to understand financial concepts, invoicing, accounts payable, and other financial business processes. Interprets financial data, analyzes cost structures, and determines financial impacts of decisions.