Manager Rail Logistics Food Grain Silos

Leap India Food And Logistics; Chandigarh; On-site; INR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Leap India Food And Logistics seeks an experienced Rail Logistics Manager to plan, coordinate, and manage rail movements for food grain silo operations. You will collaborate with Indian Railways, FCI/CWC, and other agencies to ensure timely, safe, and cost-effective movement of grain and efficiency across siding facilities.

You will oversee planning, loading/unloading, documentation, and KPI reporting while driving continuous improvements in detention and turnover.

Qualifications

• 8–12 years of relevant experience in rail logistics and silo operations.
• Experience in handling railway rakes and siding operations preferred.
• Experience in FCI / CWC operations or bulk commodity handling advantageous.
• Experience in large food grain silo projects or rail-connected silo terminals preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate inward and outward railway rake movements as per operational requirements.
• Coordinate rake indents, placement, loading/unloading schedules and rake release.
• Monitor railway rake placement and ensure minimum rake detention.
• Prepare daily/weekly/monthly rail movement plans.
• Coordinate with railway authorities and stakeholders for timely placement.
• Monitor rake availability, movement status and expected arrival.
• Ensure optimum utilization of railway infrastructure and siding facilities.
• Develop contingency plans for delays, cancellations and disruptions.
• Coordinate with silo operations teams for readiness before rake placement.
• Ensure adequate manpower, equipment, storage capacity before operations.
• Coordinate food grain receipt from railway rakes into silos and dispatch from silos through rail.
• Coordinate loading/unloading sequencing; monitor material-handling systems.
• Coordinate with maintenance teams for equipment downtime.
• Maintain records relating to rake placement, release and detention.

Skills

Rail logistics

Siding & shunting

Food grain handling

Logistics planning

Vendor management

Inventory reconciliation

Weighbridge systems

MIS reporting

Problem solving

Government coordination

Communication skills

Time management

Tools

(none)

Job description

Role & responsibilities

1. Position Details

Position: Manager Rail Logistics
Department: Silo Operations / Logistics
Industry: Food Grain Storage & Handling / Silo Operations
Location: Project / Silo Sites
Reporting To: Head Silo Operations / Cluster Head

2. Job Purpose

To plan, coordinate, and manage all rail logistics and rake movement activities associated with food grain silo operations, ensuring timely placement, loading/unloading, documentation, safety, quality compliance, and efficient turnaround of railway rakes.

The position will be responsible for coordinating with Indian Railways, railway authorities, FCI/CWC/state agencies, terminal operators, transporters, contractors, and internal operations teams to ensure smooth and cost-effective movement of food grains through rail.

3. Key Responsibilities

A. Rail Logistics & Rake Planning

• Plan and coordinate inward and outward railway rake movements as per operational requirements.
• Coordinate rake indents, placement, loading/unloading schedules and rake release.
• Monitor railway rake placement and ensure minimum rake detention.
• Prepare daily/weekly/monthly rail movement plans.
• Coordinate with railway authorities and concerned stakeholders for timely placement.
• Monitor rake availability, movement status and expected arrival.
• Ensure optimum utilization of railway infrastructure and siding facilities.
• Develop contingency plans for delays, cancellations and operational disruptions.

B. Silo Loading & Unloading Operations

• Coordinate with silo operations teams for readiness before rake placement.
• Ensure adequate manpower, equipment, storage capacity and material availability before operations.
• Coordinate food grain receipt from railway rakes into silos and dispatch from silos through rail.
• Ensure proper sequencing of rake loading/unloading operations.
• Monitor conveyor, bucket elevator, wagon loading/unloading and associated material-handling systems.
• Coordinate with maintenance teams in case of equipment breakdown affecting rake operations.
• Ensure timely completion of loading/unloading within permissible railway time limits.

C. Railway Siding Management

• Manage day-to-day operations of the railway siding connected to the silo.
• Ensure siding readiness and compliance with applicable railway requirements.
• Coordinate shunting, placement and removal of rakes.
• Monitor wagon positioning and safe movement within the siding.
• Ensure proper coordination with railway staff, shunting personnel and siding operators.
• Maintain records relating to rake placement, release and detention.

D. Coordination with FCI / Government Agencies

• Coordinate with FCI, CWC, State Civil Supplies Departments and other government agencies, as applicable.
• Ensure availability of required documentation and approvals for movement of food grains.
• Coordinate dispatch and receipt schedules with concerned authorities.
• Resolve operational issues related to rake allotment, documentation, quantity reconciliation and delivery.

E. Inventory & Quantity Reconciliation

• Coordinate reconciliation of food grain quantities received/dispatched through rail.
• Verify railway documents, weighbridge records and silo stock records.
• Monitor transit losses, shortages, excess quantities and discrepancies.
• Ensure proper documentation of shortages, damages and claims.
• Coordinate with Accounts/Commercial teams for reconciliation and settlement of claims.

F. Cost & Efficiency Management

• Monitor rail logistics costs and operational expenses.
• Reduce rake detention and improve rake turnaround time.
• Monitor siding utilization and equipment productivity.
• Identify opportunities for improving rail logistics efficiency and reducing avoidable costs.
• Track key logistics KPIs and prepare performance reports.

G. Safety & Compliance

• Ensure strict compliance with railway safety procedures and silo safety standards.
• Ensure PPE compliance for employees, contractors, and workers.
• Ensure safe movement of wagons and personnel within the railway siding.
• Conduct toolbox talks and safety briefings related to rail operations.
• Ensure compliance with fire, electrical, mechanical and emergency safety requirements.
• Immediately report and investigate accidents, near misses and unsafe conditions.

H. Contractor & Manpower Management

• Coordinate with railway siding contractors, handling contractors, labour contractors and transport agencies.
• Monitor contractor manpower deployment and productivity.
• Ensure contractors comply with company safety and operational procedures.
• Verify contractor bills against actual work and operational records.
• Address manpower-related operational issues affecting rake turnaround.

Preferred candidate profile

Experience

• 8-12 years of relevant experience in rail logistics, railway siding operations, food grain logistics, bulk material handling, warehousing, silo operations or infrastructure logistics.
• Experience in handling railway rakes and siding operations is highly preferred.
• Experience in FCI / CWC / food grain movement / bulk commodity handling will be an advantage.
• Candidates with experience in large food grain silo projects / rail-connected silo terminals preferred.

Required Skills

• Strong knowledge of railway rake operations.
• Knowledge of railway siding and shunting procedures.
• Food grain handling and storage knowledge.
• Logistics planning and coordination.
• Vendor/contractor management.
• Inventory and quantity reconciliation.
• Good understanding of weighbridge and material-handling systems.
• Strong MIS and reporting skills.
• Problem-solving and decision‑making ability.
• Strong coordination with government agencies and railway authorities.
• Good communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage time‑critical operations.

Preferred Candidate Profile

Candidates from large food grain silo projects, FCI/CWC operations, railway logistics, bulk commodity terminals, grain handling facilities, ports, warehouses or large-scale material-handling projects will be preferred.

Experience in managing railway rakes, railway sidings, food grain loading/unloading and silo terminal operations will be a major advantage.