Materials Manager

Transco - A Marmon Rail Company; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 95,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k) with company match

Company-paid life and disability

Paid time off + holidays

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Transco Rail Services, part of Marmon Holdings, is seeking a Materials Manager to lead materials operations, inventory control, and kitting across a busy facility in Houston. You will develop Line Side Supervisors, partner with Site Buyers, and drive continuous improvement through Kaizen events and accurate inventory management, ensuring production flow and on-time deliveries.

This role requires strong leadership, strategic planning, and practical, hands-on execution in a manufacturing/rail

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in business, supply chain, or logistics.
• 5+ years across multiple supply chain functions including inventory, planning, warehousing, or manufacturing.
• Experience leading teams in manufacturing or industrial settings.
• Strong inventory management and material planning experience.
• Proven project management and continuous improvement experience.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret data from multiple sources.
• Ability to influence others and drive results without direct authority.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop Line Side Supervisors and Material Handlers.
• Partner with Site Buyers to ensure material availability and support production needs.
• Implement material control processes that reduce costs and improve efficiency.
• Maintain balanced inventory levels while preventing stockouts and delays.
• Monitor material movement and manage digital picklists.
• Oversee kitting schedules and material staging activities.
• Ensure organized storage locations for efficiency and accessibility.
• Conduct daily plant walks and participate in the Daily Management System.
• Lead or participate in Kaizen and continuous improvement events.
• Perform cycle counts, inventory reconciliation, and accuracy initiatives.

Skills

Lead teams

Inventory management

Kaizen / continuous improvement

Analytical skills

Cross-functional communication

Project management

Inventory control processes

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Logistics

Tools

ERP systems

Warehouse management systems

Inventory management systems

Job description

Transco Rail Services

As a part of the global industrial organization Marmon Holdings—which is backed by Berkshire Hathaway—you’ll be doing things that matter, leading at every level, and winning a better way. We’re committed to making a positive impact on the world, providing you with diverse learning and working opportunities, and fostering a culture where everyone’s empowered to be their best.

Lead Inventory Strategy, Develop Teams, and Keep Operations Moving

At Transco Rail Services, we don’t just repair railcars, we keep critical industries moving. As part of Marmon Rail (a Berkshire Hathaway company), we operate a growing network of facilities and field service teams across North America, supporting customers in transportation, energy, and manufacturing.

What You’ll Do

The Materials Manager is responsible for leading materials operations, inventory management, kitting activities, and material handlers while supporting continuous improvement initiatives throughout the facility.

On Any Given Day, You Will

• Lead and develop Line Side Supervisors and Material Handlers
• Partner with Site Buyers to ensure material availability and support production requirements
• Implement material control processes that reduce costs and improve efficiency
• Maintain balanced inventory levels while preventing stockouts and production delays
• Monitor material movement through TREX and manage digital picklists
• Oversee kitting schedules and material staging activities
• Ensure storage locations are organized for maximum efficiency and accessibility
• Conduct daily plant walks and actively participate in the Daily Management System
• Lead or participate in Kaizen and continuous improvement events
• Perform and oversee cycle counts, inventory reconciliation, and inventory accuracy initiatives
• Track supplemental material requests across work centers
• Communicate inventory shortages, shipment delays, and vendor issues to plant leadership
• Build strong communication channels across departments to support operational needs
• Maintain accurate inventory records and materials documentation
• Ensure safe, organized, and efficient material storage and handling practices

What Makes This Role Different

Direct Impact on Operations: Your team's ability to provide the right materials at the right time directly impacts production throughput, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

Leadership Opportunity: Lead and develop frontline materials teams while helping shape inventory and material strategies for the facility.

Continuous Improvement Focus: Drive process improvements through Kaizen events, inventory optimization, and material flow enhancements.

Cross-Functional Visibility: Work closely with production, purchasing, supply chain, operations, and plant leadership to solve challenges and improve performance.

What We’re Looking For

We're seeking a collaborative supply chain professional who can balance strategic planning with hands-on operational execution.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or a related field, or equivalent experience
• 5+ years of experience across multiple supply chain functions, including inventory management, production planning, warehousing, logistics, or manufacturing operations
• Experience leading teams in a manufacturing or industrial environment
• Strong inventory management and material planning experience
• Proven project management and continuous improvement experience
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, organize, and interpret data from multiple sources
• Experience generating reports and maintaining accurate inventory records
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work across multiple departments
• Ability to influence others and drive results without direct authority
• Strong organizational, planning, and time management skills
• Demonstrated problem-solving and root cause analysis capabilities
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail

Preferred

• Experience with inventory management systems, ERP systems, or warehouse management systems
• Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, or Continuous Improvement experience
• Manufacturing, industrial, rail, or heavy equipment industry experience
• Experience leading inventory optimization and material flow initiatives

Work Environment

• Significant time spent in a manufacturing and railcar repair environment
• Frequent interaction with operations, warehouse, and production teams
• Exposure to varying weather conditions, noise, dust, and industrial equipment
• Requires use of PPE, including safety glasses, work boots, hearing protection, and respiratory protection as required
• Ability to walk, climb, lift up to 50 pounds, and perform physical activities throughout the workday
• Ability to maintain focus and attention to detail in a fast-paced environment

Site Specific Details: (To be customized per posting/location)

• Location: Houston, Texas
• Shift: First Shift, Monday - Friday 6:00am - 4:30pm
• Compensation: $95,000 - $110,000

Compensation & Benefits

We know this role requires skill, flexibility, and commitment, and we compensate accordingly.

What You Can Expect

• Competitive base salary
• Stable, long-term career within a growing organization

Full Benefits – Day One

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• 401(k) with company match
• Company-paid life and disability insurance
• Paid time off + paid holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid time off and holidays
• Career growth opportunities across Marmon/Berkshire Hathaway companies

Why Transco?

At Transco, you’re not just taking a job, you’re joining a company that:

• Prioritizes safety and people first
• Invests in training and development
• Offers real career mobility, not just lateral moves
• Is backed by the strength and stability of a global organization

Equal Opportunity Employer

Transco is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to protected status.

Pay Range

85,500.00 - 104,500.00

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that may include medical, dental, vision, 401k matching, and more!

Following receipt of a conditional offer of employment, candidates will be required to complete additional job-related screening processes as permitted or required by applicable law.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all applicants will be considered for employment without attention to their membership in any protected class.

If you require any reasonable accommodation to complete your application or any part of the recruiting process, please email your request to [e-mail], and please be sure to include the title and the location of the position for which you are applying.