Transportation Manager- EN

CN; Smithers; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

CN is seeking a Transportation Manager to supervise day-to-day train operations within a territory or terminal, ensuring safety, efficiency and CN operating rules compliance. The role may involve on-call duties and direct customer contact, managing 24/7 operations in a dynamic environment.

The position emphasizes safety, coaching of unionized crews, and adherence to the collective agreement, with responsibilities across planning, problem solving, and performance management.

Qualifications

• Education and certifications as listed in the job posting.
• Higher level supervision and safety responsibilities are expected.
• Experience with rail operations and safety practices is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day train operations within a territory or terminal.
• Coach and train unionized employees on safe procedures.
• Oversee safety compliance and incident response according to regulations.
• Monitor crew utilization, delays and service commitments to improve reliability.
• Lead frontline supervision development and enforce collective agreements.

Skills

Safety focus

Leadership

Time management

Project management

Decision making

Communication

Education

High School Diploma

Valid Driver’s Licence

Certified Conductor or Locomotive Engineer

Degree in Business or Logistics

Tools

Excel

Word

SRS

SAP

PAP

RTBI

DataCity

SmartYard

Job description

At CN, everyday brings new and exciting challenges. You can expect an interesting environment where you’re part of making sure our business is running optimally and safely―helping keep the economy on track. We provide the kind of paid training and opportunities that long-term careers are built on and we recognize hard workers who strive to make a difference. You will be able to thrive in our close-knit, safety-focused culture working together as ONE TEAM. The careers we offer are meaningful because the work we do matters. Join us!

Job Summary

The Transportation Manager is an entry-level front line supervisor position responsible for meeting CN’s service commitments by managing the day-to-day train operations within a territory or terminal and the unionized train crews associated. The incumbent is responsible for learning the operation and organizing the territory in order to ensure train departures and operations are performed safely, efficiently and in compliance with governing regulations and CN’s operating rules. The Transportation Manager may also be an on-call position that reports to remote locations (line points) and deals directly with customers and main line concerns. The incumbent will manage the day to day operations of a 24/7 function.

Main Responsibilities

Safety Orientation, Understanding, Compliance and Enforcement

• Attend Front Line Supervisor Development Programs in order to learn and understand the organization, operational rules and regulations
• Coach and train unionized employees on safe and productive work procedures
• Build safety compliance and improve safety results through regular safety observations; provide feedback (positive and constructive) to subordinates and take action on non-compliant behaviour
• Ensure safe operation as measured by accidents and incidents and employee injuries
• Achieve weekly and monthly safety observation expectations and objectives in regards to the safety management plan
• Respond and provide support to the Trainmaster and Assistant Superintendent for crossing accidents and incidents or site of an injury to support employee reaction, work with police and manage the site until the track and service have been restored
• Responsible for the draft submission of accident and injury investigation close out
• Respond and provide support to the Trainmaster and Assistant Superintendent for a dangerous good incident or leak in a yard, liaise with the Dangerous Goods Officer and ensure employee and public well-being is upheld
• Train, audit and enforce Standard Operating Procedures
• Play a role in the investigation

Problem Solving and Decision Making

• Attend Front Line Supervisor Development Programs in order to learn and understand our internal systems, process, policies and procedures for solving issues and making decisions
• Maintain teamwork and order amongst staff, contractors, and internal clients by acting with a sense of urgency and respond to issues as they may arise
• Use operational data in CN systems to identify opportunities to improve asset utilization and service reliability, taking action for own territory and making recommendations to CN’s network implication
• Oversee crew utilization, track deadheads, recrews and labour costs as well as improve the operations and cost control in conjunction with the Trainmaster and Assistant Superintendent for the terminal
• Set recover plans for service exceptions in conjunction with Rail Traffic Control (RTC) centre, Trainmaster and Assistant Superintendent
• Responsible for overseeing accurate timely reporting of delays and identifying ways to reduce delays, managing, monitoring and improving Initial Terminal Delay and Final Terminal Delay

Planning and Organizing Workload

• Attend Front Line Supervisor Development Programs to understand service design and support tools in order to plan and organize workflow
• Work with rail traffic control to manage train line ups and train meets to predict estimated time of arrival and train crew needs
• Manage crew productivity against switching standards, recommend improvements when appropriate
• Keep track of the yard status, service commitments, old dates, inbound arrivals, process traffic to reduce dwell, and ensure train connections and departures meet the service plan
• Determine best opportunity to move traffic against multiple demands
• Give recommendations to cost control and asset utilization in all planning and implementation
• Monitor customers service plan and adjust

General Leadership and Supervisions of both Union Workforce

• Attend Front Line Supervisor Development Programs to understand the organizations desired leadership behaviours, communication expectations and enforcement of the collective agreement
• Communicate company goals and policies to create clear understanding of direction and expectations to unionized employees
• Conduct investigations per collective agreement and issue discipline with support from Trainmaster or Assistant Superintendent as well as Labour relations
• Develop and sustain the right employee behaviours with feedback, recognition, reinforcement and coaching
• Process the administration leave of absence and time off requests (varies depending on location)

Performance Management, Training and Onboarding

• Evaluate employee performance and review performance expectations, actual performance, and overall performance ratings
• Conduct onboarding conversations to ensure employees are adopting proper work practices, and have the knowledge, tools and understanding to perform their job safely and efficiently
• Identify and coach performance deficiencies, and take action to build required behaviour
• Share best practices, information, operational concerns and company information in order to create transparency and clear understanding of company direction and expectations

Working Conditions

The role has irregular hours (including nights, weekends, holidays). The incumbent will work in a combination of an office environment and the outdoors in various types of weather and environmental conditions. The role requires travel for company business without advance notice which may include responding to unexpected emergency or urgent situations. The Transportation Manager has an overall commitment to safety, while working in conjunction with collective agreement.

Requirements

Experience

• Industrial work experience demonstrating progression of responsibility and complexity in a safety-compliant environment
• Experience working with heavy machinery
• 4 years of supervisory experience - management or with unionized employees*
• 3 years of experience on railroad as conductor*
• Any experience for these above would be considered as an asset

Education/Certification/Designation

• High School Diploma
• Valid Driver’s Licence
• Certified Conductor or Locomotive Engineer*
• Degree in Business or Logistics*
• Any education for these above would be considered as an asset

Competencies

• Knows the business and stays current with industry trends to elevate expertise and work
• Tracks metrics to achieve ambitious targets and holds self accountable to meet performance expectations
• Inspires others with impactful communications and adapts well to its audience
• Makes informed and timely decisions to succeed
• Shows initiative and empowers others to raise our collective game
• Improves processes on a continuous basis to enhance safety, security and to reduce CN's environmental footprint
• Identifies risks and anticipates impacts to ensure a safe and secure environment
• Time management
• Project management

Technical Skills/Knowledge

• General Microsoft and computer skills; especially: Excel, Word, SRS, SAP, PAP, Applications such as RTBI, DataCity, SmartYard
• Comprehensive knowledge of safe rail operating practices

About CN

CN is a premium railroad that sustainably generates value for our customers, shareholders, employees, and stakeholders with an unwavering commitment to safety and service. Essential to the economy, to the customers, and to the communities it serves, CN safely transports more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year. CN's network connects Canada's Eastern and Western coasts with the U.S. South through a 20,000-mile rail network. CN and its affiliates have been contributing to community prosperity and sustainable trade since 1919. CN powers the North American economy and is committed to programs supporting social responsibility and environmental stewardship.

At CN, we are dedicated to building North America's safest , most inclusive and sustainable railroad, which includes reflecting the communities in which we operate. Research shows that candidates often don't apply unless they feel they fit the job posting at 100%. To all potential applicants, even if you don't meet every job requirement listed in a posting, we still encourage you to apply. If you require an accommodation for the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials, accessible meeting rooms or other accommodations), please get in touch with our team at [e-mail] .

As an equal opportunity employer, qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law.

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