Lead Buyer

Job Description

Who will you be working with?

Wabtec employees at the Germantown location operate in a team environment in the digital electronic and component field of creating productive and reliable transportation. Our Wabtec Germantown facility includes highly sophisticated production processes that integrate advanced manufacturing technologies with precision assembly techniques. Team members collaborate across engineering, production, and quality assurance functions to deliver innovative products that meet the evolving demands on the transportation industry.

How will you make a difference?

As a member of the procurement team you will manage the buying process for a given set of goods to support Germantown, MD, own the day-to-day management of a group of vendors, and be the point of contact between the vendors and the shop, ensuring there is no material impact to the production lines.

What do we want to know about you?

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college OR high school diploma with minimum 3 years of experience in Buying/Procurement/Materials/Sourcing

• Strong oral and written communication skills in English

• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills

• Ability to coordinate several projects simultaneously

• Strong problem-solving skills

• Strong organization, prioritization, and execution skills

• Desirable Knowledge in Oracle

• Basic computer skills (Microsoft Excel)

• Experience utilizing and ERP system (Oracle Preferred)

• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.

What will your typical day look like?

• Place and follow-up on purchase orders to support delivery to internal customers

• Create and update purchase orders to support production.

• Communicate deliveries to internal customers

• Manage relationships with suppliers for purchase order execution, promising, and shipments

• Analyze vendor promises and proactively communicate and expedite when promises don’t meet business needs

• Manage through schedule changes and shop adjustments

• Own and resolve day-to-day issues with suppliers (accounts payable issues, NCMR resolution, delivery issues, lead time accuracy, etc.)

• Work cross functionally with Engineering, Sourcing and Quality teams to resolve material issues when required

• Identify opportunities in fulfillment and lead improvement projects

• Perform other duties as assigned.

What about the physical demands of the job?

• Employee is required to sit and perform repetitive motions.

• Employee is required to do minimal walking, climbing, stooping, bending, and lifting.

• Employee is required to wear Wabtec required PPE when necessary.

You may also be asked to perform other duties outside of your function or trade, for which adequate training will be provided if necessary. Occasional travel may be required.

Relocation assistance may be provided if eligibility requirements are met.

Wabtec will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the U.S. for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen (as applicable) and fitness for duty test (as applicable).

Additional Information

Our job titles may span more than one career level. The salary rate for this role is currently $68900-98200 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

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.