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 Manager of Materials – 3rd Shift is responsible for leading and overseeing all overnight materials operations within a high-volume appliance manufacturing environment. This position ensures the safe, efficient, and accurate flow of materials to support production schedules, maintain inventory integrity, minimize downtime, and ensure operational readiness for subsequent shifts.
The Senior Manager provides strategic and operational leadership across material handling, warehouse operations, inventory control, production line replenishment, and internal logistics. This role is accountable for developing high-performing teams, driving continuous improvement, and collaborating with Manufacturing, Quality, Maintenance, Logistics, and Supply Chain leadership to achieve plant performance objectives.
As the senior Materials leader on 3rd shift, this individual must demonstrate strong independent decision-making, effective problem-solving, and the ability to manage operational priorities with limited on-site senior leadership support.
Position
Senior Manager, Materials -3rd Shift
Location
USA, LaFayette, GA
How You'll Create Possibilities
Materials Operations & Production Support
- Direct all third-shift materials operations to ensure uninterrupted production and timely delivery of components to manufacturing lines.
- Oversee material receiving, storage, staging, replenishment, and movement throughout the facility.
- Ensure production lines are supplied with the correct materials in the required quantities and at the appropriate times.
- Proactively identify and resolve material shortages, delivery delays, and inventory discrepancies that could impact production.
- Coordinate materials readiness for production start-up, changeovers, and subsequent shifts.
- Monitor warehouse capacity, material flow, and equipment utilization to maximize operational efficiency.
Leadership & Workforce Management
- Provide leadership, direction, and accountability for Materials Supervisors, Team Leaders, and hourly material-handling personnel.
- Establish clear performance expectations and ensure consistent execution of operational standards.
- Manage staffing levels, labor allocation, overtime, and workforce productivity to meet business requirements.
- Coach and develop frontline leaders to strengthen decision-making, problem-solving, and employee engagement.
- Address employee performance, attendance, and workplace conduct issues in accordance with company policies.
- Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
Inventory Control & Material Accuracy
- Ensure inventory accuracy through effective material transactions, cycle counting, and inventory control procedures.
- Monitor and investigate inventory discrepancies, material losses, and process failures.
- Ensure accurate execution of inventory movements within applicable ERP and warehouse management systems.
- Partner with Inventory Control, Production Planning, and Supply Chain teams to resolve material availability concerns.
- Maintain effective controls for obsolete, damaged, rejected, and excess materials.
- Drive improvements that reduce inventory adjustments, material shortages, and unnecessary handling.
Safety, Quality & Compliance
- Champion a safety-first culture and ensure compliance with all Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) requirements.
- Ensure safe operation of forklifts, tuggers, pallet jacks, and other material-handling equipment.
- Maintain compliance with established material storage, pedestrian safety, and traffic management procedures.
- Ensure proper material-handling practices to prevent component damage, quality defects, and production disruptions.
- Lead investigations and corrective actions involving safety incidents, near misses, and material-handling concerns.
- Maintain clean, organized, and safe work areas through established 5S and housekeeping standards.
Operational Performance & Continuous Improvement
- Monitor and improve key performance indicators related to safety, delivery, inventory accuracy, labor productivity, material shortages, and operational efficiency.
- Identify opportunities to eliminate waste, reduce material-handling costs, and improve internal logistics processes.
- Apply Lean Manufacturing principles and structured problem-solving methodologies to improve operational performance.
- Lead process improvements involving material presentation, warehouse layout, replenishment methods, and equipment utilization.
- Support the implementation of automation, digital manufacturing systems, and process standardization initiatives.
- Ensure corrective actions are implemented and sustained to prevent recurring operational issues.
Cross-Functional Coordination & Shift Accountability
- Serve as the primary Materials leadership contact during overnight operations.
- Collaborate with Manufacturing leadership to prioritize material movement based on production requirements.
- Coordinate with Maintenance, Quality, Logistics, and other support functions to resolve operational barriers.
- Ensure effective communication of material shortages, production risks, staffing concerns, and operational issues.
- Conduct structured shift handoffs to communicate performance results, unresolved issues, and priorities to incoming leadership.
- Escalate critical operational issues appropriately while exercising independent judgment to minimize business disruption.
What You'll Bring to Our Team
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, Logistics, Engineering, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
- At least 7 years of progressive experience in Materials Management, Supply Chain, Warehouse Operations, or Manufacturing Logistics.
- At least 5 years of leadership experience managing supervisors and/or large hourly workforces.
- Demonstrated experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
- Strong knowledge of inventory management, warehouse operations, material flow, and production support.
- Experience using ERP systems, warehouse management systems, and manufacturing performance reporting tools.
- Ability to lead complex operations, resolve issues independently, and manage competing priorities.
- Strong communication, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work third shift, with flexibility for overtime, weekends, and operational demands.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in appliance or automotive manufacturing, or a similarly complex, high-volume assembly environment.
- Experience managing multiple Materials Supervisors and large teams across multiple production areas.
- Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, 5S, and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Experience with SAP, Oracle, or comparable enterprise resource planning systems.
- Familiarity with automated material-handling systems, tugger routes, line-side replenishment, and just-in-time material delivery.
- Demonstrated success improving inventory accuracy, reducing material shortages, and increasing labor productivity.
- Experience leading operational change and implementing standardized work processes.
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 ask.recruiting@geappliances.com
