Senior Manager of Material Planning & Operations

Senior Manager of Material Planning & Operations Location: Sacramento, California, United States. Join the growing team at our world‑class train manufacturing facility in Sacramento, CA. Siemens Mobility, Rolling Stock Division is the North American market leader in the production of passenger locomotives, coaches, and light rail vehicles. Position Overview: We are seeking a strategic Senior Manager of Material Planning & Operations who thrives in complex production environments and knows how to translate material readiness into operational success. In this highly visible leadership role, you will operate at the center of our production organization, driving alignment, execution, and results. Lead a team of Project Material Managers, set strategies and direction to ensure material readiness for demanding production schedules, and provide leadership with clear real‑time material visibility. Collaborate closely with Engineering, Strategic Purchasing, Change Management, Order Management, Production, and Procurement to proactively manage risk, optimize inventory, and maintain smooth material flow. What your day may look like: Lead and develop a high‑performing team of Material Project Managers, setting clear goals, expectations, and performance standards Drive material availability to meet production demand, providing accurate, timely, and transparent material status to production leadership Serve as the strategic leader for Project Materials, delivering world‑class supply chain and production support results Own and report key performance metrics including inventory projections, performance to plan, OTD, and Excess & Obsolete (E&O) analysis Establish and continuously improve supply chain planning practices, order release strategies, and planning parameters to optimize production efficiency Collaborate cross‑functionally with Engineering, Program Management, Purchasing, Production, and Suppliers to resolve availability issues and ensure continuity of supply Develop and execute inventory strategies, analyzing demand variability and lead times to balance production needs with enterprise inventory objectives Proactively manage inventory levels, maintain KPI scorecards, and implement contingency plans to protect production flow Lead talent management activities including hiring, coaching, development, performance feedback, and corrective action Direct the annual budgeting and planning process for the Project Materials function Ensure compliance with Safety, ISO, and TL9000 standards while driving continuous improvement through metrics and cross‑departmental collaboration Drive initiatives to minimize excess materials by periodic leave‑to‑buy analysis and driving PO cancellations for unneeded material Work with Finance and Procurement Project Managers to analyze material budgets vs spend Drive the integration and development of data analytics, robotics, or AI solutions to enhance efficiency and decision‑making within materials management What you will need to be successful: 10+ years of progressive experience in Materials Management, Procurement, Inventory Control, and Production Planning within a manufacturing environment, including people leadership Bachelor’s degree in Business, Manufacturing, Engineering, or a related discipline Strong ability to analyze, interpret, and clearly communicate complex business and material data to diverse stakeholders Advanced proficiency in SAP MRP and strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel; proficient across MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) Experience working in a rail manufacturing or comparable engineered product environment Working knowledge of ISO 9000 standards; TS16949 and/or AS9100 experience highly valued A confident, tenacious leadership style with strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills Proven ability to lead teams through ambiguity, solve complex problems, and apply advanced analytical thinking to develop innovative, practical solutions We would be impressed if you had: Experience in Rail Manufacturing or heavy manufacturing of capital equipment Master’s degree in supply chain, Business, Operations, or related field (or equivalent experience) APICS CSCP or Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent advanced supply chain certification 8+ years leadership managing a team or as an individual contributor manager Previous experience with data analytics, robotics or AI solutions development Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision Insurance, HSA/FSA, Commuter Benefits – starting Day 1 Competitive total rewards package with annual incentive target 10% of base salary Tuition Reimbursement program, Mentor Programs, and online learning development opportunities 401(k) match and generous Paid Time Off Employee perks and discounts Pay Range: $130,000 – $160,000 annually with a target incentive of 10% of the base salary. Actual wage may vary. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Siemens is an Equal Opportunity Employer encouraging inclusion in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, sex, age, disability, marital status, family responsibilities, pregnancy, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, transgender status, veteran or military status, or any category protected by federal, state or local law. EEO is the Law: Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any characteristic protected by Federal or other applicable law. Reasonable Accommodations: If you require a reasonable accommodation in completing a job application, interviewing, completing any pre‑employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please let us know and we will provide the necessary support. #J-18808-Ljbffr