Operations Manager

Cando Rail & Terminals; Melvindale (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work Life Balance

Leadership Training Programs

Award‑Winning Safety Culture

Health & Dental Benefits

Growth Opportunities

Job summary

Cando Rail & Terminals seeks an Operations Manager to lead a hands‑on team focused on chemical loading, warehousing, and related operations in Melvindale, MI. This role emphasizes safety, environmental stewardship, and efficient execution in an outdoor setting.

You will drive continuous improvement, manage budgeting and P&L, and maintain strong relationships with customers and railroads to ensure smooth, compliant operations.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of management experience preferred.
• Ability to lead a team of 5–10 employees and manage safety initiatives.
• Strong planning, scheduling, and problem‑solving skills.
• Experience working with customers and coordinating with railroads.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a 5–10 person team in outdoor, operational settings.
• Oversee scheduling, budgeting, and daily communications with customers and railroads.
• Promote safety culture and ensure compliance with environmental standards.
• Build vendor relationships and manage operational plans and cost control.
• Teach and reinforce safety, quality, and customer service standards.

Skills

Management

Leadership

Safety initiatives

Budgeting & P&L

Customer coordination

Communication

Transloading experience

Outdoor supervision

Independent work

Education

Associate or Bachelor’s degree in logistics/supply chain/related field

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Requisition Number: MANAG001779

• Full-Time
• On-site

Locations

Melvindale, MI 48122, USA

Description

The Operations Manager leads a specialized team responsible for safe, environmentally responsible, and efficient chemical loading, warehouse activities, and related operations. This opportunity is well suited to a hands‑on leader who enjoys working outdoors, solving problems, and promoting a strong safety culture.

Cando Rail & Terminals is North America’s leading provider of specialized rail operating services and terminal infrastructure that allow industrial shippers to optimize their supply chains and connect to Class I railways by leveraging Cando’s operating capabilities and network of owned multi‑purpose rail terminals. The company provides a wide range of rail services including industrial switching, material handling, terminal & transload services, short line operations, railcar staging, train assembly, and related services.

• Work Life Balance
• Cando’s Technical and Leadership Training Programs
• Award-Winning Safety Culture
• Group Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Health and Dental Benefits with Voluntary Options
• Opportunities to Grow with Our Expanding U.S. Operations!
• Participate in budget preparation, profit‑and‑loss management, and daily communication with customers and railroads regarding scheduling and other issues to support smooth, safe operations.
• Provide “Worry-Free Consistency” service to customers on every shift, every day.
• Learn, implement, teach, and execute the Cando Operating Plan and standards.
• Build strong relationships with customer contacts.
• Understand customer contracts and rate structures.
• Delegate effectively and manage time well.
• Develop and execute a business plan, including budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and cost management.
• Promote a safety culture in which every team member is committed to preventing unsafe behaviors and conditions.
• Teach and reinforce personal responsibility for safe practices and environmental stewardship.
• Lead proactively by solving problems, making decisions, organizing work, directing team members, and coaching to improve performance.
• Develop innovative solutions that support team‑member retention.
• Build and maintain strong vendor relationships.
• Use administrative systems to support operations and meet deadlines.
• Model professionalism and excellent customer service.
• Provide hands‑on leadership and apply operational and technical expertise to ensure best practices are followed.
• Foster a workplace culture of professionalism and cleanliness.
• Create a team‑oriented environment that supports individual development and growth.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• Three or more years of management experience preferred.
• Ability to lead a team of 5–10 employees, support conflict resolution, and implement safety initiatives.
• Good listening skills and attention to detail.
• Shared leadership style with a coaching approach to team development.
• Experience working closely with customers.
• Prior transloading experience is A+.
• Ability to multi‑task.
• Mechanical maintenance background.
• Experience within safety compliance and profit/loss.
• Ability to hire, train, and treat all team members effectively.
• Leadership skills to ensure team members consistently follow procedures, even when unsupervised.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to perform basic computer operations, including spreadsheets, word processing, and email, and to maintain general office organization.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with co‑workers, customers, and other company personnel.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal requirements.
• Desire and willingness to learn.

Education & Experience

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in logistics, supply chain management, transportation, business, or a related field preferred.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Five or more years of chemical loading experience preferred.
• Three to five or more years of experience in transloading, warehousing, logistics, rail, trucking, refinery, or terminal operations required.
• Must be able to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions and climates.
• Must be available to work Monday through Friday.
• Must be able to meet the physical requirements of the position.
• Must satisfy all pre‑employment screening requirements, including, but not limited to, a background and criminal history check, drug and alcohol testing, a motor vehicle record review, and a physical or functional capacity evaluation.

Note: This description is not intended to limit the assignment of work or be construed as a complete list of the many duties to be performed by the incumbent. The qualifications are provided so interested candidates understand the level of expertise required in this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.