Group Lead - Materials

Founded in 1918, Kearfott Corporation, a global Aerospace and Defense supplier for over 100 years, is a leader in the design and manufacture of precision motion control products and inertial navigation components.  

Kearfott has a very long history of innovation and excellence and is the go-to brand for many of our global clients.  Kearfott is trusted, respected and plays a vital role in the success of America’s aerospace and defense industries. With over a century of expertise & experience, Kearfott is dedicated to providing quality, reliability, and cutting-edge technology to customers worldwide to meet their sea, land, air, and space navigation and guidance requirements.

Kearfott offers a comprehensive benefits package including a 401K, and Tuition Reimbursement.   We offer a 9/80 schedule with every other Friday off. 

We are looking for talented individuals who want to be part of a world-class work force. Join Kearfott and become part of a company that is recognized for technical expertise and respected world-wide as a ‘full service’ provider.

For more information, visit our website at www.kearfott.com

Under minimal supervision from the Department Manager, the Group Lead, Materials plans and organizes the daily activities and work flow for employees within the Shipping, Receiving, and Stock Rooms (Materials team). The position is also responsible for the administration of all intercompany orders within Kearfott’s Black Mountain, NC and Matamoros, Mexico locations (Motion Systems Division) including, but not limited to, purchase order receipt, customer order placement, order alignment within the ERPS, kitting, and shipping for orders between both sites. The Group Lead, Materials is ultimately responsible for the coordination of cross-training within the work group and assisting the Department Manager cross training between other groups and departments. Working knowledge of ERP systems and controls (IFS, SAP, etc.) are required.

• Reviews production and delivery commitments with Planning, Purchasing, and Materials team.
• Plans and prioritizes daily/weekly activities to accomplish production requirements.
• Informs team members regarding any special conditions or requirements necessary to meet production commitments i.e. overtime or change to regular work schedule.
• Sets up work areas, assigns work to individual employees, monitors work flow and progression of units to subsequent work areas.
• Processes all material receipts for correct disposition and processing internally.
• Monitors daily work activities for equipment/operational problems, quality issues, hazards, material shortages or resources availability that may impact production.
• Monitors system generated requirements processing purchases against those requirements for all inter-site orders. This includes, but is not limited to, the review of requirements (for the Matamoros location and the Black Mountain purchasing orders), ensuring order alignment, expediting internal and external resources (manufacturing and suppliers through Kearfott’s procurement team), purchase order and customer order release and all subsequent follow up.
• Consults with Materials Manager concerning issues impacting flow of materials between sites and within the Black Mountain, NC location.
• Provide for alternate plans in the event of unforeseen contingencies.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by supervisor.

• Demonstrate leadership abilities. High level of interpersonal skills to work within a fast-paced, team-focused environment.
• Demonstrate understanding of MRP and its output. Prior experience with MRP exception message management.
• Solid understanding of materials management best practices and supply chain management best practices.
• Drives for performance, tenacious, meets commitments, plans contingencies.
• Organized, capable of multitasking and setting priorities.
• Detail oriented.
• Makes timely, effective decisions, uses financial and quantitative data.
• Demonstrates a commitment to Quality and Continuous Improvement.
• Solid communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to communicate across all functions and with all levels of the organization.

• Must have a High School Diploma or Equivalent.
• 3–5 years of experience in materials, inventory control, warehouse operations, or manufacturing support.
• At least 1 year of experience leading, training, or coordinating a team strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of ERP systems (IFS, SAP, etc.) and standard office software required.
• Familiarity with material handling, inventory accuracy, production support, and workplace safety practices.
• Prior experience with a pallet jack (manual and motorized) and commercial best practices packing and shipping.
• Must be a US Citizen.

• Experience in a manufacturing environment required, aerospace manufacturing industry preferred.
• Hazardous waste management and hazardous shipping experience (RCRA and IATA) preferred or ability to gain within 4 months of hire date.

Equal Opportunity Employer/including Disabled/Veterans