Materials and Logistics Lead

About Ingredion:

Join Ingredion, where innovation impacts lives worldwide! Without even realizing it, you’ve experienced our work in your favorite chocolate, your pet’s food, the paper you write on, and your everyday snacks. As a global powerhouse across more than 60 industries, we harness the potential of natural ingredients to transform lives. Whether you’re just starting your career or bringing years of experience, there's a place for you here to make a real difference. Be part of our team that values a wide range of perspectives and is committed to shaping a better world with every product we create.

Location: Argo Plant – Bedford Park, IL.

Workplace type: On Site

Step into a pivotal role where logistics meets leadership. As a Material and Logistics Lead, you’ll shape the future of supply chain operations, drive key performance metrics, and help build the next generation of talent in a high-impact, high-visibility position.

As a Material and Logistics Lead, you will you will be responsible for material and resource scheduling for an assigned business unit (Dextrose, Refinery, Starch, Oil) at the Argo Plant, including coordination of toll packaging activities. You will also be assigned as the leader for one of the key team functions (Rail, Truck, Inventory/Planning, Special Projects), and will be accountable for your team’s operational performance and deliverables. The Materials and Logistics Lead role combines multiple phases of supply chain expertise in support of manufacturing operations and has an opportunity to deliver a positive customer experience by ensuring stock levels, lead times, and production schedules are aligned to deliver finished product in full and on time.

This role reports to the Materials, Warehouse & Logistics Manager at the Argo plant.

What you will do: 

• Establish production requirements for operating unit(s), based on the Sales & Operations Plan, maintenance schedule, customer orders, and annual production goals

• Set weekly and daily production schedules for assigned operating unit(s) and update the production planning module in SAP

• Monitor product and resource inventories, including warehouse and break station finished goods inventories, railcar counts, and packaging supplies

• Coordinate between supply planning, customer service, order coordination, product management, quality, logistics, maintenance, procurement, sales, warehousing, and production operations teams to manage risk of delivery shortfalls

• Define packing schedules for operating units and toll packers, and communicate supply requirements, inventory risks, and scheduled direct shipment

• Drive performance in key functional accountability (Rail, Truck, Inventory/Planning) through ownership of relevant KPI’s and leadership of team members and partners

• Support knowledge continuity and technical proficiency to further the continuous improvement culture of the team

• Partner with Quality and Operations groups to manage constraints and expedite production/release activities where necessary

• Execute special projects and other related supporting tasks as assigned

• Participate in audits and mock recalls as required

• Provide back-up support for other team members

What you will bring: 

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical or business discipline or equivalent in work experience.

• Proficiency with SAP and Microsoft Office products, with an emphasis on using spreadsheets and word processing

• Experience collecting data from numerous sources; organizing and maintaining accurate records and files, and generating concise reports

• Lean Six Sigma background is a plus

Who you are: 

• Demonstrated ability to influence others without a direct line of authority

• Strong verbal and written skills, with the ability to effectively communicate across functional lines

• Decision-making and proactive planning skills

• Broad experience in multiple areas of supply chain (planning, inventory management, warehousing, logistics, toll manufacturing, transloading, and/or production operations)

• The capacity to resolve problems through creative, innovative solutions and the ability to challenge traditional methods of accomplishing tasks

• Ability to work independently, balancing multiple tasks simultaneously, and delivering results timely and accurate manner

• Strong time management and attention to detail

• A passion for data analytics