Section Chief Storehouses

Metra•Chicago, IL

About The Position

Metra’s Asset Management and Supply Chain Operation Division oversees storehouse and warehouse operations, Enterprise Asset Management (EAM), and Transit Asset Management (TAM). The department supports Engineering, Mechanical, and Transit Operations by managing the ongoing supply of inventory materials and services, and operates Metra’s six storehouses. Reporting directly to the Director, Materials & Stores, the Section Chief, Storehouses oversees material planning across all storehouses and is accountable for inventory requisitioning, receiving, releasing, and issuing materials and services. The role provides guidance and supervision to staff across storehouse locations, monitors performance and inventory controls, coordinates procurement and inventory planning, and ensures inventory information is maintained in the appropriate electronic systems. The Section Chief also manages staffing activities and ensures compliance with departmental and company policies and objectives. The position requires a valid driver's license, ability to operate a vehicle, willingness to travel within and outside Metra’s six-county region, and availability for flexible hours, including early mornings, late afternoons, evenings, or weekends. Final salary depends on qualifications; candidates with eight or more years of required experience may receive offers up to the midpoint of the salary range.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business Management, Materials Management, or Industrial Distribution; alternatively, a combination of education and experience may substitute for the degree if it equals four years in materials management.
Five years of experience in procurement, supply chain, or materials management.
Three years of supervisory experience, including day-to-day employee management, task assignment, providing guidelines and training, performance monitoring, conflict management, budgeting, hiring, and disciplinary or termination matters.
Considerable knowledge of inventory, inventory controls, and public purchasing methods.
Considerable knowledge of warehouse layout, procedures, and safety rules.
Considerable knowledge of warehouse management systems and how they can enhance operational efficiency and productivity.
Proficiency in Microsoft 365, including Word and Excel, and familiarity with ERP systems such as D365 or similar.
Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills to work collaboratively with employees at all levels, articulate storehouse and agency issues, and maintain effective working relationships.
Strong organizational and analytical skills, attention to detail, and ability to identify seasonal demand and ordering trends, adjust replenishment needs, and meet schedules and deadlines.
Ability to lead and supervise employees with varied inventory management duties, individually or as a team.
Ability to prioritize and delegate work effectively.
Ability to analyze cause-and-effect relationships, clarify input from different sources, and make appropriate decisions promptly.
Ability to exercise discretion and good judgment and maintain confidentiality.
Must possess and maintain a current, valid driver's license and be able to operate a vehicle.
Must be willing to travel within and outside Metra's six-county region.
Must be available to work flexible hours, including early mornings, late afternoons, evenings, or weekends.

Nice To Haves

Experience in the railroad or transportation industry.
Experience working in a union environment, including labor relations and collective bargaining agreements.
Certified Production Inventory Manager (C.P.I.M.).
Incident Command Certification.

Responsibilities

Provide guidance and supervision to staff at all storehouse locations to meet department goals and objectives, maintain appropriate staffing levels, resolve inventory balance errors, and monitor performance.
Use cost-efficient material control practices to monitor and forecast inventory investments, and assist with establishing and updating stock versus non-stock guidelines.
Oversee and ensure accountability for inventory and material planning, including appropriate processing of requisitions and material and service releases.
Coordinate identification, documentation, and sale of obsolete and scrap materials.
Coordinate procurement and inventory control planning, including annual physical inventory.
Establish and maintain inventory control parameters, levels, replenishment methods, reorder points, quantities, and classifications.
Ensure inventory control and purchasing strategies operate efficiently and compatibly, and that inventory information is maintained, processed, and updated in electronic systems.
Approve time off, coordinate staff schedules, fill vacancies as necessary, and ensure compliance with departmental and company policies and objectives.
Make and implement staffing decisions, performance evaluations, and performance improvement, disciplinary, or termination procedures; make recommendations regarding hiring and these personnel actions.
Perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.