Assistant Trainmaster - Thunder Bay, ON

CPKC; Northwestern Ontario; On-site; CAD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible benefits package

Pension/retirement plans

Employee share purchase plan

Performance incentive plan

Annual fitness subsidy

Part-time studies program

Job summary

CPKC in Thunder Bay, Ontario is seeking an Assistant Trainmaster to oversee daily yard-terminal/road operations, ensuring a safe and cost-effective plan.

You will coordinate train movements, supervise personnel, and drive safety, service, productivity and financial metrics while maintaining required certifications.

This role requires a high school diploma, railroad experience as conductor or locomotive engineer is asset, and availability for all shifts; strong communication essential.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Proven leadership and supervision abilities.
• Strong communication and radio protocol skills.
• Read and understand safety instructions and operating rules in English.
• Proficient in MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel).

Responsibilities

• Coordinate all train movements within the yard and mainline via active supervision of personnel and cross-department communication.
• Standardize processes related to operating plan, arrival, classification, building, inspecting and dispatching trains.
• Provide leadership accountability for safety, service, productivity and financial metrics.
• Lead Trains and Engines operating employees and promote safety through active observations and staff engagement.
• Occasionally operate trains and maintain required certifications/qualifications (CROR/GCOR).
• Assist in crew transportation to and from trains.

Skills

Leadership

Problem solving

Communication

Adaptability

Education

High School Diploma

Tools

MS Office

Outlook

Excel

Job description

Join CPKC, North America’s first transnational railroad connecting U.S. Canada and Mexico, where your career drives progress and safety is paramount. We connect communities, fuel economic growth, and provide meaningful work in a culture that values diversity, accountability, and pride. With opportunities for training, development, and advancement, you’re not just building a career—you’re part of something bigger. Together, we move goods, connect people, and create lasting change. Your future starts here.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The Assistant Trainmaster will support the efficient movement of traffic within the road territory and yard-terminal by developing, coordinating and ensuring the daily yard-terminal/road operating plan is completed in a safe and cost-effective manner.

POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Coordinate all train movements within the yard and mainline through active supervision of personnel and communication across departments ensuring compliance to Local Service Operating Plan and Operating Plan
• Coordinate and standardize processes related to operating plan, arrival, classification, building, inspecting and dispatching of trains
• Provide leadership accountability for inputs and outputs of safety, service, productivity and financial metrics
• Effectively lead Trains and Engines operating employees acting as a safety leader through active observations and discussions about rule compliance and by implementing preventative measures through staff engagement
• Occasionally operate trains; maintain certifications and licenses (Canadian Rail Operating Rules (CROR) for Canada, General Code Operating Rules (GCOR) for U.S., Engineer, etc.) as per industry regulations
• Assist in crew transportation to and from trains

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• High school diploma/general equivalency diploma
• Previous railway experience as a conductor and or locomotive engineer qualification is an asset
• Valid driver’s license
• Available to work all types of shifts, including nights, weekends and holidays in all weather conditions
• Leadership presence with the drive and commitment to career advancement
• Strong troubleshooting skills; ability to drill down to understand root cause and resolve complex issues
• Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability to changing task priorities and work situations
• Excellent communication skills (provide clear and concise instructions/directions including over radio)
• Read and understand safety instructions, operating rules, regulations, and other written or printed material in English
• Proficient in MS Office Outlook, Word, and Excel

WHAT CPKC HAS TO OFFER

• Flexible and competitive benefits package
• Competitive company pension and/or retirement plans
• Employee share purchase plan
• Performance incentive plan
• Annual fitness subsidy
• Part-time studies program

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

Medical and Drug Testing

This is a safety critical position and a successful pre-employment medical assessment including physical, vision, hearing, and a negative company drug test is required. Post hire qualification drug testing may also be required.

Background Investigation

• Criminal history check
• Education verification
• Professional references
• Driver’s license verification and driving history

BECOMING A RAILROADER

As an employee with a North American presence, the possibility does exist that the location of your position may be changed based on organizational requirements.

Management Conductor Program

Becoming a qualified conductor or locomotive engineer is the single best way for a management employee to learn the business at CPKC. You may be required to obtain a certification or to maintain your current certification/qualification as a conductor or locomotive engineer.

CULTURE OF INCLUSION

For our U.S. applicants, CPKC is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, inclusive of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For Canadian applicants CPKC is an employment equity employer committed to the principles of employment equity and inclusion. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply including: women, Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), members of the LGBTQ+ community and people with disabilities. Accommodations for the job application process can be provide, as appropriate, upon request. All applicant information will be managed in accordance with the federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).

• Department: Operations Eastern Region
• Job Type: Full-Time
• Position Type: Non-Union
• Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario
• Country: Canada
• % of Travel: 50-60%
• # of Positions: 1
• Job Grade: 5
• Job Available to: Internal & External