General Manager - Baton Rouge

Watco; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid on-the-job training

Watco University leadership programs

Career advancement opportunities

Job summary

Watco in Baton Rouge, LA is seeking a General Manager to lead railroad operations and drive safe, profitable performance. You will develop budgets, analyze financial data, and oversee multiple departments to meet goals while ensuring compliance with all regulations and company policies.

You will mentor leaders, manage customer relations, and optimize railcar movements. The role demands hands-on leadership, strategic thinking, and a commitment to safety and continuous improvement across the

Qualifications

• Must be able to pass and obtain all reporting, testing, and certifications as required for this position.
• Must have a valid driver’s license
• Minimum of 5 years of job-related experience or combination of education and experience

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all departments within the railroad operation, monitoring compliance with all state, provincial and federal regulatory requirements
• Establish and adhere to operating budgets by reviewing annual projections, forecasts, historical data, and department manager input to meet quantitative and financial measurement goals
• Establish performance goals and quality standards to monitor both quality and quantity of all facets of the railroad to ensure safety, profitability, and efficiency
• Teach, train, develop and mentor leadership team to ensure proficiency within positions and preparedness for advancement
• Manage and ensure a positive relationship between all customers including, but not limited to our other railroad partners, freight customers, contractors, and municipalities
• Ensure customer satisfaction through personal contact and management of systems providing accurate accountability of railcar location, car hire, demurrage, receivables, and efficient movements of each railcar move
• Evaluate railroad asset utilization and perform routing evaluation of the railroad requirements to include capital improvement projects to maximize efficiency
• Develop, approve, and periodically review operating procedures for all railroad activities to include technical, operational and support functions
• Develop and adhere to safety and environmental law compliance to include company policies and procedures for team member protection and to prevent future company liability
• Prepare and administer performance appraisals for direct reports
• Provide support to management team on performance appraisals to include training, review, and approval as required
• Implement succession planning and assist with team member career path illumination
• Select, train, lead, and motivate management team to conduct all railroad business and guide its day-to‑day management and profitable growth
• Ensure team understanding and compliance with company safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and federal, and state, and provincial regulations
• Review results of internal and external audits conducted on the railroad and take remedial action to provide support for continuous improvement of the facilities, property, and people
• Respond promptly to all accidents, incidents, or emergency calls
• Conduct efficiency testing and monitor safe working practices in the field, and monitor efficiency testing goals and results
• Interview and hire for vacant positions
• Demonstrate predictable, dependable, and timely attendance
• Supervise and coordinate activities of the railroad management team
• Prepare, communicate, and present quantitative data analysis, objectives, results, and trends in a professional manner to team members, customers and senior leadership using Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Word
• Performs other duties as assigned or required

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Regulatory compliance

Education

High School or GED equivalent

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Word

Job description

Start a Watco Career and Discover the Difference

Keep the world's supply chain moving. That's what the Watco team does every day at our short line railroads, switching sites, terminals, ports, and logistics hubs. Whether you're at one of these locations or in a support-services role, there's one thread that ties everyone together. We're all on the same team. One Watco.

Here's What You Can Expect From Watco

• Outstanding culture recognized by Forbes and Newsweek
• Competitive compensation and benefits
• Paid on-the-job training with peer trainers
• Training for conductors, engineers, mechanics, and MOW Team Members at Watco's Safe Performance Center
• Leadership and development programs offered through Watco University
• Career advancement opportunities

Job Summary

Salary Range: $90,000 to $100,000.

The General Manager is responsible for developing and managing operating budgets using historical data, future projections, and departmental input. Ongoing monitoring of financial performance comparing actual performance to established goals and budgeted projections. Controlling operational expenses, ensuring compliance with company policies and procedures, and maintaining a high-performing and motivated management team. This role also requires ongoing market awareness to support revenue growth and customer satisfaction. This General Manager description is general and illustrative of the type of duties required for this position. This description is not all inclusive and is not meant to be a detailed description of every duty performed. Workdays and hours may vary and may include mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and on-call responsibilities as required to support railroad operations and ensure safe and efficient service.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all departments within the railroad operation, monitoring compliance with all state, provincial and federal regulatory requirements
• Establish and adhere to operating budgets by reviewing annual projections, forecasts, historical data, and department manager input to meet quantitative and financial measurement goals
• Establish performance goals and quality standards to monitor both quality and quantity of all facets of the railroad to ensure safety, profitability, and efficiency
• Teach, train, develop and mentor leadership team to ensure proficiency within positions and preparedness for advancement
• Manage andensurea positive relationship between all customers including, but not limited to our other railroad partners, freight customers, contractors, and municipalities
• Ensure customer satisfaction through personal contact and management of systems providing accurate accountability of railcar location, car hire, demurrage, receivables, and efficient movements of each railcar move
• Evaluate railroad asset utilization and perform routing evaluation of the railroad requirements to include capital improvement projects to maximize efficiency
• Develop, approve, and periodically review operating procedures for all railroad activities to include technical, operational and support functions
• Develop and adhere to safety and environmental law compliance to include company policies and procedures for team member protection and to prevent future company liability
• Prepare and administer performance appraisals for direct reports
• Provide support to management team on performance appraisals to include training, review, and approval as required
• Implement succession planning and assist with team member career path illumination
• Select, train, lead, and motivate management team to conduct all railroad business and guide its day-to‑day management and profitable growth
• Ensure team understanding and compliance with company safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and federal, and state, and provincial regulations
• Review results of internal and external audits conducted on the railroad and take remedial action to provide support for continuous improvement of the facilities, property, and people
• Respond promptly to all accidents, incidents, or emergency calls
• Conduct efficiency testing and monitor safe working practices in the field, and monitor efficiency testing goals and results
• Interview and hire for vacant positions
• Demonstrate predictable, dependable, and timely attendance
• Supervise and coordinate activities of the railroad management team
• Prepare, communicate, and present quantitative data analysis, objectives, results, and trends in a professional manner to team members, customers and senior leadership using Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Word
• Performs other duties as assigned or required

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Must be able to pass and obtain all reporting, testing, and certifications as required for this position
• Must have a valid driver’s license
• Minimum of 5 years of job‑related experience or combination of education and experience

Education

High School or GED equivalent

Bachelor's degree in related field preferred