Material Planning and Logistics Director

Reposted 3 Days Ago
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Troy, MI, USA
Hybrid
50K-150K Annually
Senior level
Automotive • Hardware • Robotics • Software • Transportation • Manufacturing
Dream big. With Us. Let's create the future of mobility, together.
The Role
The Material Planning and Logistics Director will define and execute global strategies for material planning, logistics, and effective material flow while optimizing costs and improving service performance across the organization.
Summary Generated by Built In
Job descriptions may display in multiple languages based on your language selection.
What we offer:
At Magna, you can expect an engaging and dynamic environment where you can help to develop industry-leading automotive technologies. We invest in our employees, providing them with the support and resources they need to succeed. As a member of our global team, you can expect exciting, varied responsibilities as well as a wide range of development prospects. Because we believe that your career path should be as unique as you are.
Group Summary:
The Magna Exteriors portfolio of products includes access systems such as liftgates, exterior trim, modular systems, front-end modules including fascia, active aerodynamic systems and other lightweight structural components for automotive, commercial truck and other industrial markets.
Recognized globally as an innovator in all aspects of vehicle exteriors, Magna provides everything needed, from materials development and design through manufacturing and assembly, to help automakers create sleek, state-of-the-art vehicles across the world.
Job Responsibilities:
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Material Planning and Logistics Director is accountable for defining and executing the global strategy for material planning, logistics, and material flow across Magna Exteriors. This role drives enterprise-wide alignment, cost optimization, and operational excellence spanning packaging, logistics, warehouse management, inventory, and material movement. The position partners cross-functionally to support growth initiatives, improve service performance, and deploy scalable, data-driven supply chain solutions worldwide.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Strategy & Global Alignment
  • Establish and execute the global Material Planning & Logistics strategy to support business growth, operational resilience, and customer performance.

  • Drive standardization and best-practice deployment across regions for material planning, packaging, logistics, warehouse management, and material flow.

  • Provide strategic leadership for greenfield and brownfield expansions, ensuring scalable and cost-effective material and logistics solutions.

  • Operational Excellence & Cost Optimization

  • Lead cost and efficiency improvements across material handling, packaging, transportation, warehousing, facility utilization, indirect labor, scheduling, and third-party logistics providers.

  • Improve inventory accuracy, inventory turns, freight performance, and overall material availability while minimizing working capital.

  • Ensure MP&L capital investments are optimized, delivering strong return on investment (ROI) and long-term sustainability.

Planning, Controls & Performance Management
  • Define and govern KPIs for material planning and logistics performance, including inventory levels, service levels, schedule attainment, freight cost, and annual savings targets.

  • Leverage analytics and digital tools to enable proactive planning, risk mitigation, and decision-making across the supply chain.

Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Support business development, quoting, and launch activities by providing robust material and logistics strategies that mitigate risk and improve launch readiness.

  • Maintain strong alignment with OEM and Tier 1 customer requirements, ensuring compliance, service excellence, and satisfaction.

  • Innovation, Capability Building & Knowledge Sharing

  • Identify, evaluate, and pilot emerging technologies related to logistics, packaging, warehouse management systems (WMS), material flow automation, and planning systems.

  • Reduce logistics-related CO₂ emissions through network optimization, packaging redesign, modal shifts, and supplier collaboration.

  • Drive a culture of continuous improvement, Lean thinking, and innovation across global teams.

  • Facilitate structured knowledge sharing, benchmarking, workshops, and "read-across" of best practices, lessons learned, and innovations across regions.

  • Leadership & Talent Development

  • Develop global budgets and resource plans aligned to growth initiatives and operational priorities.

  • Lead, influence, and develop talent within a complex global matrix organization, fostering accountability and collaboration.

  • Build a global materials and logistics competency framework, including training pathways and succession planning.

QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Purchasing, Engineering, or related discipline; or equivalent experience (15+ years in automotive or diversified manufacturing).

  • Minimum 10 years of senior leadership experience with demonstrated progression in materials, supply chain, logistics, or operations.

  • Proven success in global, matrixed organizations and complex automotive environments (OEM/Tier 1).

  • Strong background in material planning, logistics, manufacturing, purchasing, and supply chain operations.

  • Experience with Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, and performance-driven cultures preferred.

  • Solid knowledge of quoting, launch processes, industry standards, and supply chain performance metrics.

  • Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.

Physical Demands/Work Environment - Normal amount of sitting or standing, average mobility to move around an office environment, able to conduct normal amount of work at a computer, may require travel.
Awareness, Unity, Empowerment:
At Magna, we believe that a diverse workforce is critical to our success. That's why we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We hire on the basis of experience and qualifications, and in consideration of job requirements, regardless of, in particular, color, ancestry, religion, gender, origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability or gender identity. Magna takes the privacy of your personal information seriously. We discourage you from sending applications via email or traditional mail to comply with GDPR requirements and your local Data Privacy Law.
AI-Assisted Screening Disclosure
As part of our commitment to a fair, consistent, and efficient recruitment process, we may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the initial screening of applications submitted through our Workday system. These tools help identify qualifications and experience that align with the role requirements. Please note that AI is used solely to support our recruiters. Final decisions are always made by the hiring manager and the hiring team. Importantly, no applicant data is shared externally through these AI tools. All information remains securely within our systems and is handled in accordance with our privacy and data protection policies.
Under conditions defined by applicable law, you may have the right to request an explanation of how AI is used to support decision-making.
If you have any questions or concerns about this process, feel free to contact our Talent Attraction team.
Worker Type:
Regular / Permanent
Group:
Magna Exteriors

Skills Required

  • Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Purchasing, Engineering, or related discipline
  • 15+ years in automotive or diversified manufacturing
  • 10 years of senior leadership experience
  • Background in material planning, logistics, purchasing, and supply chain operations
  • Experience with Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement

What the Team is Saying

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Magna International Compensation & Benefits Highlights

  • Strong & Reliable Incentives Profit sharing is formalized in the corporate constitution, allocating a portion of qualifying pre‑tax profits to employees and typically delivered in cash and/or Magna equity. This structure is positioned as unusually strong for a large manufacturer.
  • Healthcare Strength Core U.S. coverage includes medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, plus flexible spending accounts and an Employee & Family Assistance Program. The breadth of this lineup aligns with mainstream comprehensive employer healthcare.
  • Retirement Support Retirement offerings include a 401(k) with company match and profit‑sharing eligibility, with some regions/plants still maintaining defined‑benefit pensions. This mix provides multiple avenues for long‑term savings beyond base pay.

Magna International Insights

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The Company
HQ: Aurora, Ontario
171,000 Employees
Year Founded: 1957

What We Do

We are a mobility company that innovates like a start-up and thinks like a technology company. This helps us anticipate change in one of the most complex industries in the world and respond quickly. We depend on a team of 171,000 dynamic, entrepreneurial-minded employees in an environment where great ideas flourish. Our presence spans 343 manufacturing operations and 88 product development, engineering and sales centers in 29 countries. We understand that you need a career as unique as you are. Whether you want to advance your existing expertise or try something completely different, we are committed to your growth.

Why Work With Us

At Magna, our engineering team is advancing mobility for everyone and everything. Joining this team means being a part of the design, development, and manufacturing of the world’s most advanced mobility technology. Innovations that move families, shape communities, and improve lives. You can follow your passions and shape your own career path.

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Magna International Teams

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About our Teams

Magna International Offices

Hybrid Workspace

Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.

Majority of roles are hybrid with flexibility. Please speak with our recruiting team for specific details on hybrid work.

Typical time on-site: Not Specified
HQGlobal Headquarters - Aurora, Ontario, Canada
Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Graz, Austria
Lowell, Massachusetts
Monterrey, Mexico
Munich, Germany
Pune, Maharashtra, India
Sailauf, Germany
Saltillo, Mexico
US Headquarters - Troy, Michigan
Learn more

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