Materials Analyst (NPI)

Position Overview: 

As an NPI Materials Analyst, you will serve as a key project team member responsible for managing material ordering activities for externally sourced components on new vehicle programs. You will own order placement, supplier communication, and logistics management, while tracking and reporting the key project metrics that drive successful pilot builds. Serving as a subject matter expert for materials management during the new product development phase, you will partner with cross-functional teams to keep programs on schedule and mitigate risk. This role offers meaningful business impact and broad exposure across the product development lifecycle, giving you the opportunity to influence how new products are brought to market at scale. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Place purchase orders based on MRP schedules for new parts and ensure timely PO placement. 

• Manage material planning across multiple projects and provide clear, concise, and accurate material status to program leaders and teams. 

• Track and meet key project metrics related to pilot builds. 

• Facilitate pilot build readiness meetings with cross-functional teams to review material readiness, address schedule risk, and establish mitigation plans. 

• Coordinate transportation and manage shipping schedules with suppliers to ensure on-time delivery while mitigating logistics costs. 

• Attend pilot builds within the plant as part of the immediate response team to quickly resolve potential parts issues. 

• Communicate shortage risk to plant materials and sourcing teams. 

• Facilitate the smooth transition of materials management responsibility from the development team to the Production Planning team upon release for production. 

• Coach, mentor, and train others on materials management processes, and support continuous improvement initiatives related to processes and standard work instructions. 

Desired Competencies: 

• Communication: You clearly convey information, ideas, and expectations to diverse audiences, adjusting your message to ensure understanding and alignment. 

• Planning & Organization: You manage time, resources, and priorities effectively to meet deadlines and deliver consistent results. 

• Data & Analytical Literacy: You interpret data, metrics, or reporting to inform decisions, identify trends, and measure outcomes relevant to your role. 

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in business or supply chain/operations preferred. 

• Minimum 2 years of relevant experience in materials, planning, logistics, or sourcing. 

• Solid understanding of material requirements planning (MRP) and Bill of Materials (BOM) structure. 

• Superior analytical skills, including the ability to synthesize large amounts of data quickly and remain effective under pressure. 

• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and conflict-management skills. 

• Effective time management, prioritization, and multitasking skills. 

• Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including intercultural communication. 

• Proficiency in MS Office, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. 

• Knowledge of International Trade Compliance rules and practices. 

• Project management experience desired. 

• This role requires approximately 10% travel as needed. 

• This position is not eligible for sponsorship. 

The starting pay range for Minnesota is $67,000 to $88,000 per year. Individual salaries and positioning within the range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, skills, and geography.  While individual pay can fall anywhere in the range based on these factors, it is uncommon to start at the high end or top of the range. 

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