Job Information
Wabtec Corporation Manager, Supply Chain and Operational Excellence in Wytheville, Virginia
Job Description
The Supply Chain and Operational Excellence Manager at Longwood Elastomers, will lead and manage site-level forecasting, production planning, operational excellence (OPEX) systems, and supply chain processes. Oversee the Chemist and Buyer to ensure alignment across raw material formulations, procurement, costing, and production readiness. Implement corporate OPEX tools and ensure Oracle routings and costing structures accurately reflect operations and overhead.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Lead deployment and sustainment of corporate OPEX systems including SIOP, forecasting tools, KPI systems, and readiness for MES integration.
Implement standard work, visual management systems, tiered meetings, and CI routines across departments.
Develop and maintain site-level forecasting models aligned to customer demand, capacity, and historical trends.
Translate forecasts into master production schedules and planning parameters within Oracle.
Maintain accurate planning parameters including lead times, lot sizes, MOQs, and safety stock levels.
Oversee Buyer activities including supplier performance, shortages, and purchasing strategies.
Improve inventory accuracy, entitlement levels, material flow, and cycle count processes.
Lead Chemist activities to support material formulations, testing protocols, qualifications, and engineering alignment.
Ensure Chemist activities align with planning requirements, production schedules, and raw material availability.
Manage the full annual price lift cycle: Q1 costing evaluation, Q2 Engineering/Sales review, Q3 customer communication, Q4 updated price books.
Maintain Oracle routings with accurate labor and machine times, overhead applications, and standard cost alignment.
Coordinate with Finance to validate overhead rates, cost absorption impacts, and routing accuracy.
Facilitate PSI and SIOP reviews to align Sales, Operations, Materials, and Finance functions.
Prepare and present performance metrics and planning outputs to leadership.
Other Duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities
Managing staff of 2 employees: Rubber Chemist and Buyer
Monitoring and reviewing the work of staff members, including conducting annual performance reviews.
Ensuring staff compliance with Company policy, SOI’s, Etc.
Participate in hiring and recruitment efforts, including interviews for employees in Supply Chain department.
Minimum Qualifications: (To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.)
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Business, or related field.
Minimum 5 years of experience in supply chain, planning, or OPEX roles within manufacturing.
Leadership experience required.
Lean Six Sigma certification preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Strong understanding of supply chain planning, forecasting, procurement, and production scheduling.
Experience leading Lean, OPEX, or Continuous Improvement processes.
Ability to analyze complex data, develop planning models, and evaluate cost structures.
Experience with Oracle or equivalent ERP systems.
Ability to facilitate cross-functional collaboration and lead improvement events.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Problem-solving capability and strong attention to detail.
Physical Demands: (The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job . Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)
Employee is regularly required to talk and hear.
Employee is occasionally required to stand for 2 hours at a time, with minimal breaks.
Employee is regularly required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move 50 pounds.
Employee is occasionally required to walk for 2 hours a day.
Employee is regularly required to see and observe small handwriting, labels, and components.
Employee is required to be on site to supervise employees, etc.
Requires daily face-to-face interaction with employees on production line.
Work Environment: (The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.)
- The employee will normally work in a temperature-controlled office environment, with frequent exposure to electronic office equipment. During visits to areas of operations, may be exposed to extreme cold or hot weather conditions. Is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and loud noise.
Additional Information
Our job titles may span more than one career level. The salary rate for this role is currently $91100-129800 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.
Our global team of about 30,000 employees worldwide delivers performance that moves the world forward. We’re lifelong learners, obsessed with better. Learn more at www.WabtecCorp.com.
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.
Need accommodation? Just let us know - we’ve got you.