Lead Materials Specialist

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Annual bonus (eligible)

Job summary

Wabtec Corporation is seeking a Lead Material Specialist to manage materials for multiple production lines, drive inventory accuracy, and oversee kitting and lineside processes. You will lead hourly staff, coordinate with planning, and optimize parts planning using ERP/MES systems.

Ideal candidates have 2+ years in manufacturing materials, a degree, and strong lean/continuous improvement skills. The role requires attention to detail, teamwork, and the ability to work long hours when needed.

Qualifications

• Two years’ experience in a production or materials role in manufacturing.
• Bachelor’s degree or technical degree preferred.
• Comprehensive knowledge of manufacturing techniques and processes.
• Strategic and creative thinking to analyze issues and create solutions.
• Basic shop math and ability to read gauges and measuring instruments.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with high attention to detail.
• Understanding of continuous improvement and lean manufacturing concepts.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience with ERP systems (Oracle preferred).

Responsibilities

• Forecast and avoid part shortages with fulfillment and planning teams.
• Own all internal kitting and lineside management of direct material for multiple lines.
• Present direct material through kits and lineside bins for production lines.
• Lead a team of hourly associates for receiving, stocking, kitting and replenishment.
• Develop an optimal plan for every part with other material specialists.
• Use Oracle ERP and MES systems to manage material and system requirements.
• Ensure inventory and transactional accuracy amid changing material needs.
• Provide timely disposition for discrepant and non-conforming material.
• Maintain accuracy during yearly physical inventory.
• Communicate and provide technical materials guidance to management and staff daily.
• Work with cross-functional teams in a 'one team' approach for customer success.
• Ensure compliance with regulations, OSHA practices, and site rules.
• Lead plantwide materials process improvement projects and line support.
• Take leadership in the department and assist other shop operations as needed.
• Present materials metrics and project improvements to senior leadership as required.
• Be prepared to work long hours to ensure completion of tasks.

Skills

Production experience

Inventory management

Lean manufacturing

Attention to detail

Communication

Microsoft Office

ERP systems

Education

Bachelor's degree or technical degree

Tools

Oracle ERP

MES software

Job description

Job Description

How will you make a difference?

As a Lead Material Specialist, you will provide materials management expertise to the operations team in addition to maintaining inventory accuracy, work order consumption, and ordering of direct materials. In this role, you will utilize your experience and expertise to solve problems, drive process adherence, develop and execute objectives for self and others, and can affect short-term and some long-term business goals.

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.
• Bachelor’s degree or technical degree preferred.
• Comprehensive knowledge of manufacturing techniques and processes.
• Strategic and creative thinking to analyze issues that may arise and create solutions.
• Basic shop math skills in all units of measuring, along with ability to read and use gauges and measuring instruments.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while having a high degree of attention to details.
• Understanding of continuous improvement, lean manufacturing concepts and production schedules preferred.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to influence, motive, coach, and drive accountability.
• Experience working with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience with ERP systems (Oracle preferred).

What will your typical day look like?

• Work closely with the fulfillment and planning teams to forecast and avoid part shortages impacting production, escalating issues, and communicating to the operations teams, as necessary.
• Own all internal kitting and lineside management of direct material for multiple production lines simultaneously.
• Be responsible for direct material presentation through kits and lineside bins for production lines.
• Lead a team of hourly associates responsible for receiving, stocking, kitting and replenishment of material.
• Work with other material specialists to develop an optimal plan for every part.
• Work with Oracle ERP and MES software systems to manage material and other systemic requirements.
• Ensure inventory and transactional accuracy as our customers and internal stakeholders change material requirements for modernization and new build locomotive programs.
• Provide timely disposition resolution for discrepant and non-conforming material.
• Achieve an elevated level of accuracy during yearly physical inventory.
• Provide clear communication and technical materials guidance to management and other Wabtec employees daily.
• Work as part of a cross functional team, driving a "one team" focus, dedicated to customer success within the shop.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulations, OSHA work practices, and industry/site-specific work rules.
• Be expected to take ownership of and lead projects for plantwide materials process improvement in addition to your lineside and kitting 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 occasionally report on and present materials metrics and project improvements to senior and executive leadership.
• 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 about 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.