Material Group Leader
On Site : This role is categorized as onsite. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to the GM Defense Production Facility on a full-time basis (shift is four 10's, Monday - Thursday).
The Role
The Material Group Leader provides frontline leadership for material handling teams in General Motors Defense manufacturing environment. This role owns safe and reliable material flow to the line, leads daily manpower and scheduling, and manages SPQRCE performance through GMS tools including BPD, layered audits, standardized work, and practical problem solving.
What You Will Do (Responsibilities)
Safety and Compliance
- Champion a safety first culture through safety talks, safety contacts, and ongoing coaching for Team Members and Team Leaders.
- Manage safety processes including Safety Observation Tours, Employee Safety Concerns, and incident reporting via Cority or equivalent systems.
- Ensure completion and documentation of required safety, HazMat and mobile equipment training for all team members in the group.
- Maintain safe dock and storage operations including adherence to stacking and storage guidelines, equipment pre operation checks, and traffic management standards.
Material Flow, Inventory, and Dock Operations
- Own material availability to the line through daily management of inventory levels, min and max controls, and inventory banks.
- Monitor and react to FIFO, min and max, and inventory violations
- Coordinate containment and non conforming material processes, including segregation, scrap and rework handling, and communication of quality alerts to the team.
GMS, Standardized Work, and Performance Management
- Lead team meetings and own Level 4 and Level 5 BPD boards, SPQRCE metrics, and countermeasures.
- Conduct layered audits and workstation readiness checks, correct deviations, and drive continuous improvement through GMS tools and practical problem solving methods.
- Maintain and update standardized work, TIS references, and job instructions for material processes.
- Track key performance indicators such as scrap, material availability, downtime drivers, overtime utilization, and suggestion system actions; escalate risks and barriers appropriately.
People Leadership
- Lead a group of Team Leaders and material Team Members, providing daily direction, coaching, performance feedback, and recognition.
- Prepare and manage daily manpower plans, including coverage, rotations, vacations, training, and overtime equalization.
- Conduct regular huddles and team meetings to share safety, quality, and production information and to engage employees in problem solving and suggestions.
Cross Functional Collaboration and Change Management
- Participate in daily department and plant meetings, representing material flow status, issues, and countermeasures.
- Support model changes, engineering changes, process trials and packaging changes by aligning material routing, documentation, and training with the appropriate stakeholders.
- Coordinate with maintenance, quality, production and logistics teams on issues such as equipment downtime, non conforming material, and special material routing needs.
Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)
- 2+ years of experience in manufacturing, material handling, logistics or supply chain
- Candidate must either be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, asylee or refugee) or a non-U.S. Person who is eligible to obtain any required export control authorization.
- Demonstrated knowledge of material flow and inventory control practices including pull systems, FIFO, min and max management and dock operations.
- Strong coaching and communication skills with the ability to set clear expectations, provide feedback, and build engagement across diverse teams.
What Will Give You A Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)
- Prior people leadership responsibility.
- Prior experience as a Group Leader, Team Leader or equivalent frontline leader in materials or production.
- Hands on experience with GMS including BPD, SPQRCE, layered audits, standardized work and practical problem solving.
- Experience leading or supporting continuous improvement projects focused on cost, delivery, safety or quality performance.
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