Materials Manager

Wabtec; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 89,100 - 126,900; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus eligibility

Comprehensive health benefits

Job summary

A global leader in transportation solutions seeks a Materials Manager in Kansas City to oversee material flow and manage supply chain operations. The ideal candidate will have 5-7 years of experience in materials management, strong leadership, and excellent problem-solving skills. This role focuses on optimizing inventory, ensuring timely procurement, and improving processes to support production schedules. The position offers a competitive salary and opportunities for continuous improvement within the team's operations.

Qualifications

• 5 - 7 years of experience in materials management, inventory management, purchasing, supply chain, shipping/receiving, and production planning.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills.
• Knowledge of lean principles and inventory optimization.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all material flow from suppliers, customers, and internal departments.
• Manage hiring, training, performance evaluations, and discipline.
• Monitor inventory levels for components and finished goods.
• Implement process enhancements to reduce waste and improve efficiency.

Skills

Materials management

Purchasing

Supply chain operations

Leadership

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Oracle/MRP systems

Job description

Job Description

It’s not just about your career or job title… It’s about who you are and the impact you will make on the world. Because whether it’s for each other or our customers, we put People First. When our people come together, we Expand the Possible and continuously look for ways to improve what we create and how we do it. If you are constantly striving to grow, you’re in good company. We are revolutionizing the way the world moves for future generations, and we want someone who is ready to move with us.

Who are we?

Wabtec Corporation is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions, and value-added services for freight and transit rail as well as the mining, marine, and industrial markets. Drawing on nearly four centuries of collective experience across Wabtec, GE Transportation, and Faiveley Transport, the company has grown to become One Wabtec, with unmatched digital expertise, technological innovation, and world-class manufacturing and services, enabling the digital-rail-and-transit ecosystems. Wabtec is focused on performance that drives progress and unlocks our customers’ potential by delivering innovative and lasting transportation solutions that move and improve the world. We are lifelong learners obsessed with making things better to drive exceptional results. Wabtec has approximately 27K employees in facilities throughout the world. Visit our website to learn more!

Who will you be working with?

In this role, you will lead the purchasing and supply chain functions while collaborating closely with production teams to ensure materials are available according to schedule. You’ll work alongside quality assurance to maintain standards for incoming and outgoing parts, partner with shipping and receiving to manage logistics and documentation, and support customer service to meet client expectations. Additionally, you will communicate regularly with leadership to report on KPIs, inventory status, and continuous improvement initiatives.

How will you make a difference?

As a Materials Manager, you will be the driving force behind the efficient flow of materials that keeps our locomotive repair operations running smoothly. In addition to overseeing material movement from suppliers to customers and through internal departments, you will manage purchasing and supply chain functions, ensuring timely procurement and strategic sourcing to support production schedules. Your leadership will optimize inventory, reduce downtime, and maintain quality standards while fostering collaboration across departments. By implementing lean practices and continuous improvement initiatives, you will help us deliver exceptional service and high‑quality products to our customers.

What do we want to know about you?

We’re looking for a proactive leader with a solid background in materials management, purchasing, and supply chain operations within a manufacturing or remanufacturing environment. You should bring strong organizational skills, the ability to manage complex material flows, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college (or a high school diploma/GED with at least 4 years of equivalent work experience).
• 5 - 7 years of proven experience in materials management, inventory management, purchasing, supply chain, shipping/receiving, and production planning.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills with experience supervising teams.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and solve problems effectively.
• Computer proficiency (Microsoft Office Suite required; Oracle/MRP systems a plus).
• Experience in a (re)manufacturing environment, preferred.
• Knowledge of lean principles and inventory optimization.
• Strong analytical and decision‑making skills.

What will your typical day look like?

As a Materials Manager, your day will involve leadership, planning, and operational oversight to keep materials flowing efficiently. Typical responsibilities include:

• Oversee all material flow from suppliers, customers, and internal departments.
• Ensure processes align with production schedules and company standards.
• Manages the team that verifies incoming and outgoing parts for quantity, quality, and proper documentation.
• Coordinate logistics for timely delivery and customer requirements.
• Manage hiring, training, employee communications, performance evaluations, discipline, and terminations.
• Provide daily direction and resolve operational challenges within the materials and production team.
• Monitor inventory levels for components and finished goods.
• Investigate and resolve discrepancies to maintain system accuracy.
• Support transactional processes in ERP/MRP systems.
• Maintain appropriate stocking levels for components and finished goods.
• Adjust based on production needs and customer demand.
• Track and manage customer‑owned cores to ensure proper handling and documentation.
• Align material flow with production plans and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Report progress and metrics to leadership.
• Maintain constant awareness of lean principles and quality improvement processes.
• Identify and implement process enhancements to reduce waste and improve efficiency.
• Work closely with production, quality assurance, shipping/receiving, and customer service.
• Communicate priorities and resolving material-related issues.
• Present metrics, project status, and research findings to internal teams.
• Communicate regularly with direct team and supervisors.

What about the physical demands of the job?

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods in a manufacturing environment.
• Occasional lifting of parts or materials up to 50 lbs.
• Exposure to noise, machinery, and varying temperatures.
• Use of required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• You may also be asked to perform other duties outside of your function or trade, for which adequate training will be provided if necessary.

Additional Information

Our job titles may span more than one career level. The salary rate for this role is currently $8,9100 - 126,900. 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.

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.