Head of Operations (gn)

Blue Line Search Group; Bottrop; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Professional development

Long-term stability

Job summary

Blue Line Search Group seeks an experienced Head of Operations to lead our rail freight dispatch and operations team in Bottrop, Germany. You will manage daily operations, ensure safety and regulatory compliance, and drive continuous improvement across the organization.

You will build a high-performing team, optimize dispatch, monitor SMS compliance, and report KPIs to senior leadership, shaping safe, efficient rail services for customers.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in rail freight operations or equivalent rail transport background.
• Formal training or degree in rail operations, business, or a technical field.
• Deep knowledge of railway operator requirements and processes.
• Strong dispatch, operations, personnel management, and safety systems understanding.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 (MS Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams) and operational management software.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, analyze data, and make sound decisions.
• Familiarity with German railway regulations (AEG, EBO, TfV) and EU directives (CSM-RA).

Responsibilities

• Lead dispatch operations and optimize rail freight scheduling.
• Ensure SMS requirements are implemented and followed.
• Manage staffing, qualifications, route knowledge, vehicle maintenance, and scheduling.
• Identify operational risks and drive corrective actions to completion.
• Improve communication between dispatch, operations, infrastructure, and other departments.
• Report performance metrics to leadership and drive process improvements.
• Develop and present KPIs to senior management.

Skills

Rail experience

Leadership

Data analysis

MS 365

Regulatory knowledge

Dispatch operations

Team management

Railway regulations

Education

Rail operations degree or training

Formal training in rail operations

Tools

Tableau

Power BI

Job description

Head of Operations

About This Role

We are looking for an experienced Head of Operations to lead our rail freight dispatch and operations team. You will manage daily operations, ensure safety and regulatory compliance, and drive continuous improvement across our organization. This is a leadership role that directly impacts how we serve our customers and maintain the highest operational standards.

What You'll Do

• Lead dispatch operations and optimize rail freight scheduling across all routes.
• Ensure all safety management system (SMS) requirements are implemented and followed consistently.
• Manage staffing, qualifications, route knowledge, vehicle maintenance, and work scheduling requirements.
• Identify operational risks and deviations, then track corrective actions to completion.
• Build clear communication between dispatch, operations, infrastructure, and other departments.
• Report performance metrics to leadership and continuously improve operational processes.
• Develop and present key performance indicators (KPIs) to senior management.

What You'll Need

• 15+ years of experience in rail freight operations (or equivalent rail transport background).
• Formal training or degree in rail operations, business, or technical field.
• Deep knowledge of railway operator requirements and processes.
• Strong understanding of dispatch, operations, personnel management, and safety systems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 (MS Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams) and operational management software.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, analyze data, and make sound decisions.
• Familiarity with German railway regulations (AEG, EBO, TfV) and EU directives (2016/798, 2018/762) and Common Safety Methods (CSM-RA).

Nice-to-Have

• Leadership experience in a unionized or heavily regulated industry.
• Experience with digital KPI and reporting platforms (Tableau, Power BI, or similar).
• Background in process improvement or operational transformation.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Opportunity to lead a skilled operations team in a safety-critical industry.
• Professional development and training in railway operations and management.
• Collaborative culture with clear communication and transparency.
• Secure role in an established, regulated industry with long-term stability.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and actively encourage underrepresented groups to apply. We provide accommodations for qualified candidates throughout the hiring process.

Location: Bottrop, Germany