Site Materials Buyer

Transco - A Marmon Rail Company; Waterloo (IA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) with company match

Life and disability insurance

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Transco Rail Services, part of Marmon Rail and Berkshire Hathaway, is seeking a Materials Buyer in Waterloo, IA. The role supports site operations by ensuring timely procurement of materials to keep production moving.

You will plan, purchase, and track material needs, maintain supplier relationships, and work with inventory and production teams to optimize stock and delivery performance. Strong Excel and ERP/MRP experience required.

Qualifications

• 2-4 years of purchasing, procurement, or supply chain experience in a manufacturing, industrial, or operations environment.
• Experience creating and managing purchase orders through ERP/MRP systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to monitor inventory requirements and support demand planning activities.
• Experience communicating with suppliers and resolving delivery or quality issues.
• Strong Microsoft Excel and reporting skills.
• Excellent organizational and time-management abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining high accuracy and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Create and issue purchase orders to approved suppliers based on system demand.
• Maintain accurate purchase order information, pricing, and delivery dates within ERP/MRP systems.
• Coordinate material availability with site Materials Management and production teams.
• Monitor supplier delivery performance and address shortages or delivery concerns.
• Work with the Expediting team to resolve supplier issues and improve on-time delivery.
• Support inventory optimization by utilizing existing stock and reducing excess inventory.
• Challenge supplier lead times, cost increases, and delivery commitments when appropriate.
• Escalate supplier quality, cost, and delivery concerns to Category Management.
• Participate in cost savings and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Generate daily, weekly, and monthly purchasing and inventory related reports.
• Assist with procurement audits and annual physical inventory activities.
• Support resolution of supplier discrepancies, return authorizations, and data integrity issues.

Skills

Analytical skills

Excel

Reporting

Supplier communication

Time management

Attention to detail

Education

Associate's degree or equivalent experience

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain or related field

Tools

ERP/MRP 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.

Build Your Career in Operations Leadership

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.

We are seeking a Materials Buyer to support site operations by ensuring the timely procurement and availability of materials needed to keep production moving. This role is ideal for a detail-oriented supply chain professional who enjoys working cross-functionally, managing supplier relationships, and driving operational efficiency.

What You’ll Do

As a Materials Buyer, you will play a critical role in supporting production by planning, purchasing, and tracking materials while maintaining strong supplier relationships and inventory accuracy.

On Any Given Day, You Will

• Create and issue purchase orders to approved suppliers based on system demand
• Maintain accurate purchase order information, pricing, and delivery dates within ERP/MRP systems
• Coordinate material availability with site Materials Management and production teams
• Monitor supplier delivery performance and address shortages or delivery concerns
• Work with the Expediting team to resolve supplier issues and improve on-time delivery
• Support inventory optimization by utilizing existing stock and reducing excess inventory
• Challenge supplier lead times, cost increases, and delivery commitments when appropriate
• Escalate supplier quality, cost, and delivery concerns to Category Management
• Participate in cost savings and continuous improvement initiatives
• Generate daily, weekly, and monthly purchasing and inventory related reports
• Assist with procurement audits and annual physical inventory activities
• Support resolution of supplier discrepancies, return authorizations, and data integrity issues

What Makes This Role Different

• Supply Chain Impact - Directly influence production success by ensuring critical materials arrive on time and at the right cost.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration - Work closely with operations, inventory management, suppliers, expediting teams, and leadership to drive results.
• Team Development – Opportunity to lead, coach, and grow a skilled workforce
• Fast-Paced Environment - Every day brings new challenges, from resolving supplier issues to supporting operational priorities and inventory needs.

What We’re Looking For

We're seeking a motivated procurement professional with strong analytical skills and a commitment to operational excellence.

Requirements

• Associate's degree or equivalent experience
• 2-4 years of purchasing, procurement, or supply chain experience in a manufacturing, industrial, or operations environment
• Experience creating and managing purchase orders through ERP/MRP systems
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skillsAbility to monitor inventory requirements and support demand planning activities
• Experience communicating with suppliers and resolving delivery or quality issues
• Strong Microsoft Excel and reporting skills
• Excellent organizational and time-management abilities
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining high accuracy and attention to detail

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or a related field
• Experience in rail, manufacturing, heavy industrial, transportation, or maintenance environments
• Understanding of inventory management and material planning concepts
• Experience supporting cost reduction and supplier performance initiatives

Work Environment

• Combination of office and operational facility environments
• Frequent interaction with production, warehouse, and materials teams
• Fast-paced environment with changing priorities and production schedules
• Extended computer and system usage
• Occasional participation in inventory counts and facility audits

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

• Location: Waterloo, Iowa
• Shift: First Shift, Monday- Friday 6:00am - 4:00pm
• Compensation: $55,000 - $65,000 Salaried Exempt Role

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

53,100.00 - 64,900.00

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.