Memes

I don't think you want to play the "experience" game here regarding industrial production. Not only does it not constitute a point, but you'd lose in this instance. That's all I'll say on the matter.

Management isn't "great man theory." Coordination of tasks and functions, especially in an industrial environment, is tremendously useful and necessary. Factories don't control supply chains themselves, but they typically have quotas often pre-sold, and work with distributors and suppliers directly. Task planning, resource allocation, and more is a useful role, which is why it exists. None of this is "Great Man Theory," you calling it that makes it obvious that you don't know what the term means.

This may shock you, but some of us see materialism as a useful tool for understanding what we see in the world, and not just an identity to project into everything around us in a manner indistinguishable from idealism.