Lead Materials Specialist

Wabtec; Erie (Erie County); On-site; USD 69,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

Wabtec in Erie, PA is seeking a Material Planning & Execution Specialist – Scheduling & Inventory to ensure efficient material flow, optimized inventory levels, and on-time delivery across the cab manufacturing operation. You will collaborate with operations, engineering, sales, quality, and supply chain teams to drive continuous improvement using data-driven decision making.

The role requires a minimum of two years in manufacturing materials, a bachelor’s in engineering or related field, and

Qualifications

• Minimum two years’ experience in production or materials roles in manufacturing.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, or Business (or equivalent).
• Experience with MRP systems and data-driven decision making.
• Strong organizational and communication skills with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Oversees Production Scheduling and Material Planning
• Collaborate with operations, quality, sales, and supply chain teams
• Review and improve inventory accuracy; lead cycle counting
• Lead material presentations on production lines
• Ensure work orders reflect changing material requirements for upgrades
• Meet inventory targets and support year-end physical inventory
• Drive year-over-year inventory reduction and on-time delivery performance
• Present materials metrics and improvements to leadership
• Work in a cross-functional team focused on customer success

Skills

Production planning

Inventory management

MRP systems

Excel

Access

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Supply Chain

Tools

MRP software

MES software

Microsoft Office

Job description

• Job Family: Production Planning and Control

Job Description

How will you make a difference?

As a Material Planning & Execution Specialist – Scheduling & Inventory you will play a critical role in ensuring the efficient flow of materials, optimized inventory levels, and on-time delivery performance across the cabs manufacturing operation. Through collaboration with operations, engineering, sales, quality, and supply chain teams, you will drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance production planning, improve inventory accuracy, reduce operational variances, and strengthen supplier performance. This role will use data-driven decision making to identify opportunities for greater efficiency, improved customer delivery performance, and year-over-year inventory optimization.

What do we want to know about you?

Do you have:

• A minimum two current years’ experience in a production or materials role in manufacturing industry.
• Comprehensive knowledge of manufacturing techniques and processes.
• Bachelor's Degree, required in Engineering, Supply Chain, or Business (or equivalent demonstrated combination of education and experience).
• Strategic and creative thinking to analyze issues that may arise and create solutions.
• Experience with MRP systems.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while having a high degree of attention to details.
• Knowledge of production/materials control system.
• Understanding of continuous improvement, lean manufacturing concepts and production schedules preferred.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Demonstrates effective communication skills and interpersonal skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to influence, motivate, coach, and drive accountability.
• Experience working with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and Access.

What will your typical day look like?

• Oversees Production Scheduling and Material Planning
• Work with various MRP, quality, and MES software systems to manage material and other systemic requirements.
• Collaborates with warehouse team to review and improve inventory accuracy and cycle counting programs
• Lead material presentation on all the production lines.
• Ensure work order and transactional accuracy as our customers and internal stakeholders change material requirements for modernization and new build locomotive programs.
• Meet inventory targets including month-end and quarter-close processes for inventory in addition to achieving an elevated level of accuracy during yearly physical inventory.
• Drive YOY inventory reduction and accuracy improvements & customer on-time performance.
• Provide clear communication and technical materials guidance to management and other Wabtec employees daily.
• Be expected to occasionally report on and present materials metrics and project improvements to senior and executive leadership.
• Work as part of a cross functional team, driving a "one team" focus, dedicated to customer success within the shop.
• Be expected to take ownership of and lead projects for plantwide materials process improvement in addition to your scheduling and inventory responsibilities.
• Be expected to take a leadership role in your department, flexing outside your traditional job responsibilities to assist and improve other shop operations functions.
• Be expected to respond to issues and communicate quickly and effectively when time is of the utmost importance and to work long hours to ensure that the job gets done.

Who will you be working with?

Wabtec is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions, and value-added services. Our team is focused on continually improving our best-in-class production capabilities. We combine deep domain expertise and tenured experience to deliver unparalleled products for our customers. Here you’ll interact daily with team members during the problem resolution process and will partner with other key stakeholders to support our internal customers and their responsibilities.

Additional Information

Our job titles may span more than one career level. The salary rate for this role is currently $68900-98200 The actual salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors, such as: training, transferable skills, work experience, education, business needs, market demands and work location. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. More information on offered benefits, which include health, welfare, and retirement, are available at mywabtecbenefits.com. Other benefit offerings for this role may include annual bonus, if eligible.

What could you accomplish in a place that puts People First?

At Wabtec, it’s not just a job - it’s about the impact you make. When our people come together, we’re Expanding the Possible by continuously improving what we do and how we do it - for our clients and each other.

If you’re ready to revolutionize how the world moves for future generations, Wabtec is the place for you.

Who are we?

Wabtec is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions, and value-added services for the freight and transit rail sectors. Drawing on more than 150 years of experience, we are leading the way in safety, efficiency, reliability, innovation, and productivity. Whether it’s freight, transit, ports, logistics, mining, industrial, or marine, our expertise, technologies, and people together – are accelerating the future of transportation. With roots that date back to George Westinghouse, Thomas Edison, and Louis Faiveley, Wabtec has always built technologies and implemented solutions for a variety of sectors that are critical to meeting the needs of customers and governments alike.

Our global team of about 30,000 employees worldwide delivers performance that moves the world forward. We’re lifelong learners, obsessed with better. Learn more at www.WabtecCorp.com.

Culture powers us and the possibilities.

We believe the best ideas come from a mix of experiences and backgrounds. At Wabtec, we strive every day to create a place where everyone belongs. We’re building a culture where leadership, inclusion and your unique perspective fuel progress.

We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome talent of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities, including race, gender, age, disability, veteran status and more.

Need accommodation? Just let us know - we’ve got you.