Finishing Supervisor

CF Rail Services; East Chicago (IN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

CF Rail Services is seeking a Finishing Supervisor to lead railcar finishing operations. You will oversee a crew of 1 to 50, ensure safety compliance, maintenance of quality standards, and timely production flow across shifts. Strong leadership, timekeeping, and communication skills are essential to manage diverse stakeholders on site.

The role requires the ability to train and motivate staff, administer documentation, and uphold environmental and safety requirements in a heavy industry setting.

Qualifications

• AA degree or equivalent education/experience.
• Pass CF Rail Management training courses with 80%+ (forklift, manlift, crane, back hoe, skid loader, hoist, hydraulic boom).
• Valid Driver’s License.

Responsibilities

• Lead safety initiatives and railcar safety procedures.
• Supervise 1–50 employees in mechanical servicing of railcar rolling stock.
• Meet or exceed budgeted goals for KPI metrics (efficiency, margin, labor hours).
• Plan, organize, and supervise shift production with available resources.
• Perform in-process quality inspections and maintain production flow.
• Train, counsel, and motivate workforce; manage timekeeping/documentation.
• Ensure proper application of labor time, safety rules, and plant policies.

Skills

MS Office

ADP

Time accounting

MSDS

Delegation

Education

AA degree or equivalent

Job description

Recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in Chicago by Fortune Magazine and Great Place to Work, Sasser prides itself on supporting an employee-driven, opportunity-based culture that empowers, recognizes, and rewards its employees. From highly competitive benefits to exciting employee events to organic, grassroots philanthropy and volunteerism, Sasser is an awesome place to begin and grow your career. We are a transportation asset services and management company with roots dating to 1928. Sasser’s subsidiary units are leaders in providing commercial- and industrial-focused rail, automotive, and containerized shipping solutions, including asset leasing, fleet administration management, asset repair and maintenance, and innovative technology services.

Sasser family of companies includes subsidiaries Chicago Freight Car Leasing, CF Rail Services, Moventum Fleet Management, Express 4x4 Truck Rental, and Falcon Lease. To learn more about what makes Sasser special, visit www.sasser.com.

This role supports our CF Rail Services team. Delivering the highest-quality railcar repairs quickly and safely with uncompromising customer service, CF Rail Services is a leading railcar repair and maintenance provider offering quality repair work for railroads, private car owners, lessors, contracts agents, and shippers across North America.

The Finishing Supervisor is responsible for leading and directing railcar rolling stock production for the Finishing departments. The impact of this position on the business is critical as it ensures that daily safety, quality, production, and environmental goals are achieved.

The Finishing Supervisor will be accountable for leadership of skilled labor employees and will have a high level of interaction with all employees, including upper management, safety, human resources, quality, maintenance, corporate representatives, customers, and vendors. This position requires the ability to maintain consistent communication with hourly employees throughout the daily schedule. An employee in this position can meet all job requirements at the highest level while serving in a leadership capacity.

As a Finishing Supervisor, Here's What You Will Do

• Set an example and conduct activities consistent with the core values of CFRS contributing to a positive environment for communication, empowerment, and continuous improvement.
• Lead all employees in the safety initiatives and adhere to all railcar safety procedures.
• Supervise and direct a workforce of between 1 and 50 employees in the mechanical servicing of railcar rolling stock in accordance with established quality control, engineering, safety, and customer standards while complying with established repair schedules.
• Ensure the workforce is managed to meet or exceed budgeted goals and standards for Key Performance Measurements, e.g., efficiency, margin, labor hours, delays, cross-over, etc.
• Plan, organize, and supervise shift production in accordance with priority goals and availability of resources to ensure adequate and timely operational flow.
• Perform in-process quality inspections.
• Communicate work area status to site personnel to ensure consistent and efficient production flow.
• Utilize technical experience, expertise, and problem-solving abilities to achieve and maintain a quality repair.
• Maintain an efficient workforce by training, counseling, and motivating.
• Ensure that all necessary documents are accurate and completed on a timely basis.
• Ensure the appropriate application of the labor time collection, quality standards, safety rules, as well as other plant work rules as defined by the Company. If appropriate, initiate corrective action.
• Assist in employee personnel matters including hiring, recognition, development, discipline, training and termination.
• Wear PPE in appropriate locations

Note: Responsibilities include the expectation to always act to support the interests of the department and organization and to perform other duties as assigned to ensure the successful achievement of departmental and company objectives.

Qualifications And Experience

• Associate’s degree (A.A.) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school; or six months to one year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Successfully pass the following courses with an 80% or higher score coordinated by CF Rail Management:
  • Documented training to set up and operate or drive equipment such as, but not limited to: forklift, manlift, crane, back hoe, skid loader, hoist, hydraulic boom.
  • Basic AAR auditor training.
  • Lean Sigma training.
  • The Carman’s Dictionary
  • Lettering and Marking
  • Blast Media & Blast Profile
  • Paint Millage Wet/Dry Mils
  • Leadership Training 101
  • Participate in additional internal/external training; TBD by management.
• Valid Driver’s License

Hard Skills

• Strong knowledge of computer applications including, but not limited to, Microsoft Office suite, and ADP to manage accurate work team time accounting.
• Understanding MSDS's
• Basic knowledge of finance and accounting (KPI’s, income statements, budgeting, margin, NOC, etc.).

Soft Skills

• Delegation skills
• Leadership experience in communication, interviewing, performance management, etc.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Work will be performed outdoors and indoors, on and around heavy equipment. The employee is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, and fumes or airborne particles and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. May be required to work overtime and/or varied shifts to meet the demands of the business. Work assignments involve standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, reaching, climbing, crawling, and crouching in strained and awkward positions for prolonged periods of time at various heights up to 20 feet. Uses hands, legs, and arms to climb vertical ladders to staging or suspended platforms. Lifts, carries, and sets up equipment and components that weigh up to 50 lbs. Employee must be medically certified to wear a respirator, as well as be able to wear respirators for prolonged periods of time.

The Company provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.