Materials Manager, Transformers

What you'll do

The Materials Manager for Transformers owns the flow of materials behind our transformer production — metal tanks, core & coil, dielectric oil, and assembly components — from BOM accuracy and demand planning through to materials staged and ready to build. You will manage materials planning and scheduling across our transformer contract manufacturers, keep production supplied against manufacturing capacity, and manage the risk, lead time, and tariff exposure of a global transformer supply base. This role is the connective tissue between Procurement, Production, Engineering, and our contract manufacturers.

Where you'll work

This role is based out of our Houston location and will require 25% travel. 

Responsibilities

BOM & Materials Planning

• Own BOM accuracy and structure for transformer products — tanks, core & coil, oil, and assembly hardware — in the ERP/MRP system
• Translate the production schedule into materials requirements (MRP); convert demand into supplier releases and purchase requisitions
• Manage engineering change (ECO) impact on existing transformer inventory and open orders
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) — ensure long-lead components (core steel, copper/aluminum winding, tanks) are ordered early enough to hit pilot build and factory acceptance test (FAT) dates

Scheduling & Capacity

• Build and maintain the master production schedule (MPS) for the transformer line, reconciled against real contract manufacturer capacity
• Coordinate build schedules with tank fabricators, core & coil winders, and final assembly contract manufacturers
• Participate in S&OP/demand planning to align transformer production plans with sales forecasts

Inventory & Stock Management

• Own inventory strategy — safety stock levels, buffer stock, and build-to-order vs. build-to-stock decisions for tanks, core & coil materials, and oil
• Manage kitting and staging so the right components are ready at transformer build and final assembly stations
• Track inventory health: turns, excess & obsolete (E&O) inventory, and cycle count accuracy

Lead Time & Risk Management

• Manage lead times and allocation for long-lead transformer items — core steel, copper/aluminum winding, custom-fabricated tanks, and dielectric oil
• Make allocation calls during component shortages, balancing customer commitments and production priorities
• Identify and mitigate single-source, capacity, and geopolitical risk across the transformer supply base

Global Planning & Tariff Management

• Coordinate materials flow and inventory visibility across transformer contract manufacturers and Giga facilities
• Own tariff and trade compliance planning for transformer components — HTS classification, Section 301/232 exposure, USMCA qualification, and country-of-origin tracking
• Evaluate sourcing and inventory strategies (e.g., bonded warehousing, duty drawback) to manage tariff cost impact
• Manage logistics and expediting decisions — air vs. ocean freight — when schedules are at risk

Requirements

• 4+ years in materials management, production planning, or supply chain, ideally in transformer, electrical equipment, or heavy industrial manufacturing
• Hands-on experience with BOM management, MRP/ERP systems, and master scheduling
• Experience managing long lead-time materials — core steel, magnet wire, custom tank fabrication — in a transformer or similar heavy electrical equipment environment
• Working knowledge of tariff classification and trade compliance (Section 301/232, USMCA, HTS)
• Experience coordinating materials across multiple sites, including offshore contract manufacturers
• Strong analytical skills — comfortable building inventory, capacity, and risk models
• Ability to read BOMs, drawings, and specifications to support planning decisions
• Strong communication skills; able to work cross-functionally with Procurement, Engineering, Quality, and Operations

Benefits

• Subsidized health, dental, and vision insurance
• Equity (options) in a rapidly growing startup
• 401(k) with 4% employer match
• Unlimited PTO
• Parental leave
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Commuter benefits
• Team on-sites where all offices come in–person to collaborate