Materials Manager

About the role

As part of Marmon Rail (a Berkshire Hathaway company), Transco Rail Services operates a growing network of facilities and field service teams across North America, supporting customers in transportation, energy, and manufacturing. We are seeking a Materials Manager to lead inventory control, material planning, warehousing, and material flow activities that support daily production operations.

Responsibilities

• 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

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 Qualifications

• 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

Location: Houston, Texas
Shift: First Shift, Monday - Friday 6:00am - 4:30pm

Pay

$95,000 - $110,000

Benefits

• 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
• Career growth opportunities across Marmon/Berkshire Hathaway companies