Materials Specialist

Materials Specialist Essential Utilities, Inc. - 2.8 Cary, NC Job Details Full-time 10 hours ago Benefits Opportunities for advancement Qualifications High school diploma or GED Full Job Description Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, employs people in a variety of roles within our eight-state footprint, ranging from field workers and customer service representatives who are on the front lines working with customers, to scientists and engineers who help ensure we're delivering reliable water and wastewater services to our communities. If you're looking for a rewarding career helping improve our environment and protect our natural resources, we encourage you to join our team! About Essential Utilities Essential Utilities, Inc. delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities. Operating as the Aqua (water and wastewater services) and the Peoples and Delta (natural gas) brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across 10 states. We are committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status - including a competitive and comprehensive benefits package as well as a commitment to career growth opportunities. We are advocates for the communities we serve and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting more than 7,600 acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint. Our company is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service and natural gas providers in the U.S. The Materials Specialist is responsible for maintaining, monitoring, and supporting material and inventory operations to ensure timely availability, accuracy, and cost‑effective supply of materials. This role operates with minimal supervision, supports day‑to‑day material activities, and contributes to process improvements across inventory control, procurement support, and material distribution. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Responsible for all inventory activity in three sites (Cary, Fayetteville, and Hampstead). Maintain accurate inventory levels through reordering, receiving, issuing, tracking, and reconciling materials. Verify incoming materials against purchase orders, packing slips, and documentation; resolve discrepancies, damages, or shortages. Coordinate and maintain material availability to support operational, maintenance, field, and/or engineering teams Assist with procurement activities, including vendor communication, pricing inquiries, and order/reorder placement as needed. Ensure proper internal and physical controls are maintained over inventory, including performing inventory audits, cycle counts, and reconciliations; investigate and resolve variances. Ensure proper storage, labeling, and organization of materials in accordance with safety and compliance requirements. Utilize inventory management systems to document transactions, generate reports, and maintain data accuracy. Identify opportunities to improve material handling processes, inventory accuracy, and operational efficiency. Support department projects and initiatives related to inventory optimization and materials management. Comply with all company policies, safety procedures, and regulatory requirements. Provide guidance and informal support to less experienced materials or warehouse staff. All other duties as assigned. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Working knowledge of inventory control, materials management, and supply chain principles. Proficiency with inventory management systems and Microsoft Office tools. Specifically, experience with excel and inventory management using SAP is a plus. Strong attention to detail and organizational skills. Ability to analyze inventory data and resolve discrepancies. Effective communication skills for working with vendors, internal teams, and leadership. Ability to prioritize tasks and work independently with minimal supervision. Problem‑solving skills with a continuous improvement mindset. Performs routine and moderately complex tasks with limited supervision. Demonstrates sound judgment within defined guidelines and procedures. Actively contributes to team goals and departmental improvements. Escalates non‑routine or complex issues appropriately.

Education and Experience Education:

High school diploma or GED required;

Experience:

Minimum of 2-5 years of materials, inventory, warehouse, or supply chain experience. Forklift operator license is needed for this role or willing to obtain. Company will pay for certification. Work Environment and Physical Requirements Work is primarily performed in a warehouse, stockroom, or operational environment. May require standing, walking, bending, and lifting materials up to established safety limits. Use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as required. Aqua, an Essential Utilities company is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. Equal employment opportunity is provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to the following legally protected characteristics: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions, including medical conditions related to lactation), physical or mental disability, covered-veteran status, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law. Aqua is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you have a condition that may prevent you from applying for a job online or need to request an accommodation during the interview process, please call (1-877-271-9012). To maintain the integrity of the recruitment process and to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest due to employment and/or assignment of family members and personal referrals, specific guidelines apply to the hiring and assignment of these individuals including, but not limited to: Family members cannot result in a supervisor/subordinate reporting relationship Family members cannot work in the same department.