Section Chief Storehouses

Cadient, LLC; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Experience in rail/transport

Labor relations experience

C.P.I.M. certification

Incident Command Certification

Job summary

Metra, America's fourth busiest commuter rail system, is seeking a Section Chief, Storehouses to oversee material planning across six storehouses and coordinate purchasing strategies.

You will lead staff, manage inventory balance, and align with Engineering, Mechanical and Transportation operations while ensuring compliance with policies and safety standards. This role requires strong leadership, analytical skills, and a willingness to travel within the six-county region.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Management, Materials Management, Industrial Distribution or equivalent education/experience.
• Five years of experience in procurement, supply chain, or materials management.
• Three years of supervisory experience including staffing, training, and performance management.
• Knowledge of warehouse layout, procedures and safety rules.
• Experience with inventory controls and warehouse management systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance and supervision to staff at all storehouse locations to meet goals.
• Maintain staff levels across locations; address inventory balance errors.
• Oversee requisitioning, releasing, and services for multiple operations.
• Coordinate annual physical inventories and define control parameters.
• Ensure alignment of inventory control with purchasing strategies.

Skills

Staff leadership

Analytical skills

Inventory management

Microsoft 365 (Word/Excel)

Communication skills

Driving license

Vehicle operation

Travel willingness

Team supervision

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Management / Materials Management / Industrial Distribution

Tools

ERP systems (D365 or similar)

Job description

Metra is America’s fourth busiest commuter rail system, providing essential transportation services to a community of over 9.4 million residents. As an organization of over 2,600 professionals, we are committed to safely and efficiently meeting the growing and changing transportation needs of the commuters and businesses we serve.
To meet those needs, Metra employs a diverse workforce in an environment that fosters creativity and drives innovation. We invite you to learn more about Metra and the many career opportunities we offer.

The final salary will depend on the candidate's qualifications. Those with 8 years or more of required experience can expect offers up to the midpoint of the salary range. Metra provides full pay ranges so candidates can consider their growth potential.

Qualified veterans who meet the minimum requirements will receive outreach during the recruitment process in accordance with Federal and State laws, including the Illinois Veterans Preference Act. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview or job offer. The most qualified candidate will be selected.

Metra is one of the largest and most complex commuter rail systems in North America, serving Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane, and McHenry Counties. The agency is linking communities in Northeastern Illinois by providing safe, reliable, and efficient commuter service.

The Asset Management and Supply Chain Operation Division consists of all Storehouse and Warehouse Operations, Enterprise Asset Management (EAM), and Transit Asset Management (TAM). The purpose of the department is to service various customers within Metra. Managing the continuous supply of inventory materials and services required to support Engineering, Mechanical and Transit Operations. The department operates Metra's six storehouses. Additionally, the department manages the agency's Transit Asset Management (TAM) program and the Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) systems.

Reporting directly to the Director, Materials & Stores, the Section Chief, Storehouses will be responsible for overseeing material planning activities for all storehouses and provide accountability for inventory that includes requisitioning, receiving, releasing, issuing of materials, and services for Mechanical, Engineering, and Transportation operations.

The primary duties include: Provide guidance and supervision to staff at all storehouse locations to ensure department goals and objectives are met; maintain appropriate staff levels in all locations; provide direction on the identification and resolution of inventory balance errors; and monitor performance.

Utilize cost efficient material controls practices to monitor and forecast inventory investments for all storehouses; and assist with the establishment and update of guidelines for stock versus non-stock decisions.

Provide oversight and accountability for inventory and material planning activities; ensure requisitioning, releasing of materials, and services are appropriately processed; and coordinate the identification, documentation, and sale of obsolete and scrap materials.

Coordinate and manage the procurement and inventory control planning activities including annual physical inventory; and establish and maintain control parameters, manage proper inventory levels, replenishment methods, reorder points, quantities, and classifications.

Ensure maximum efficiency and compatibility between inventory control and purchasing strategies; and inventory information is maintained, processed, and updated in appropriate electronic systems.

Approve time off, coordinate staff schedules, fill vacancies as necessary, and ensure compliance with departmental and company policies and objectives.Decide/implement staffing decisions, performance evaluations, and performance improvement, disciplinary, and/or termination procedures.

Make recommendations regarding hiring, performance evaluations, disciplinary and/or termination procedures.

Perform otherrelated duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Metra is a railroad employer subject to the provisions of the Railroad Retirement Tax Act, not the Social Security Administration.

• Bachelor's degree in Business Management, Materials Management, Industrial Distribution OR in lieu of specified degree, any combination of education and experience may be substituted for the required degree that equals four (4) years in materials management.
• In addition to #1, five (5) years of experience in procurement, supply chain, or materials management.
• Three (3) years of supervisory experience that includes day-to-day employee management, assigning tasks, providing guidelines and training, monitoring performance, conflict management, budgeting, hiring, disciplinary and/or termination.
• Considerable knowledge of inventory, inventory controls, and public purchasing methods.
• Considerable knowledge of warehouse layout, procedures, and safety rules.
• Considerable knowledge of warehouse management systems to help enhance operational efficiency and overall productivity.
• Proficient in Microsoft 365 (Word and Excel); familiar with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems such as D365 or similar.
• Strong written and verbal communications and interpersonal skills to interact collaboratively with employees at all levels to articulate storehouse and agency issues and maintain effective working relationships.
• Strong organization and analytical skills with attention to detail to identify trends in seasonal demands, ordering patterns to adjust replenishment needs, and meet schedules and deadlines.
• Ability to lead and supervise employees with varying duties and responsibilities related to inventory management in a team or individually.
• Ability to effectively prioritize and delegate work.
• Ability to analyze cause and effect relationships, clarify input from different sources, and reach appropriate decisions in a timely manner.
• Ability to exercise discretion, good judgment and maintain confidentiality.
• Must posses and maintain a current valid driver's license.
• Must be able to operate a vehicle.
• Must be willing to travel within and outside of Metra's 6-county region.
• Must be available to work flexible hours in the early morning, late afternoon, evenings, or weekends.

Preferred :

• Experience in the railroad or transportation industry.
• Experience working in a union environment with labor relations and collective bargaining agreements.
• Certified Production Inventory Manager (C.P.I.M.).
• Incident Command Certification.

Metra employees in an active review period under the current discipline policy or who have documented attendance or performance issues will not be considered and/or selected for this position.

Please note: Regardless of any state laws that legalize marijuana, Metra prohibits applicants andemployees’ use or possession of marijuana (or marijuana paraphernalia), or having detectable amounts of marijuana in their bodies, including synthetic and/or non-synthetic substances such as THC for any reason for preemployment screening purposes, while on duty, subject to duty, on Metra property, or in Metra work equipment and vehicles.

Metra is committed to ensuring that our career website and recruiting process are accessible to all individuals. If you encounter difficulties or limitations in using or accessing our online application, or if you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, participate in interviews, complete any pre-employment testing, or engage in any other aspect of the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to [e-mail].

Metra is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is our policy to fill vacant positions with qualified candidates without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, disability, or any protected categories, assuming an individual can perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.

Please note: Regardless of any state laws that legalize marijuana, Metra prohibits applicants and employees’ use or possession of marijuana (or marijuana paraphernalia), or having detectable amounts of marijuana in their bodies, including synthetic and/or non-synthetic substances such as THC for any reason for preemployment screening purposes, while on duty, subject to duty, on Metra property, or in Metra work equipment and vehicles.
Metra is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is our policy to fill vacant positions with qualified candidates without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, disability, or any protected categories, assuming an individual can perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.

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