Operations Manager

Pinsly Railroad Company; Tallahassee (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Pinsly Railroad Company is seeking an Operations Manager to oversee day-to-day railroad operations in the Tallahassee area. The role focuses on on-time performance, coordinating with customers and staff, and ensuring safe, efficient movement of cars and trains.

The position may require irregular hours, weekend and holiday work as needed. You will supervise crews, read switching instructions, manage reports, and maintain compliance with GCOR standards.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in a railway operating environment.
• GCOR qualification required.
• Locomotive Engineer certification required.
• Ability to interact professionally with customers, government agencies and communities.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and coordinate train crew activities.
• Receive and interpret instructions for car switching.
• Conduct daily briefings with train crews to clarify switching orders.
• Manage cars and reporting using Wabtec tools and reports.
• Ensure daily train lists and crew worksheets are accurate and timely.
• Read locomotive event recorder outputs and monitor safety and rule compliance.
• Mentor employees on safety, rules, and preventive maintenance.
• Oversee car hire and demurrage understanding; approve man hours as needed.
• Investigate accidents/incidents with causes and corrective actions.
• Adjust locomotive requirements to optimize fuel use and throughput.
• Ensure awareness of track conditions affecting productivity.
• Fill in as Engineer or Conductor as required.
• Cover for other Transportation Managers when needed.

Skills

Customer interaction

Safety awareness

Leadership

Communication

Education

GCOR qualification

Locomotive Engineer certification

Tools

Wabtec systems

ADP payroll

Job description

The Operations Manager manages the day-to-day operation of their assigned territory and is responsible for dealing with both customers and staff. This role is critical to ensuring the on-time performance of the railroad. The railroad may operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and this position may work irregular hours and must be available to work weekends and holidays as needed.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervises and coordinates the activities of train crews.
• Receives oral or written instructions from General Manager, Customer Service or the customer indicating which cars are to be switched.
• Daily job briefings with train crews to ensure a clear understanding of switching orders.
• Manage cars online using Wabtec or MCrew and/or through various Wabtec reports.
• Must ensure daily train lists are accurate as generated by the customer service department, and accurate as completed by the train crews within his/her territory.
• Must ensure all reporting is done accurately and timely, including daily crew work sheets and weekly operational reporting.
• Download and effectively read a locomotive event recorder.
• Perform safety and rule efficiency test, document and mentor employees on an ongoing basis.
• Will perform DSLE responsibilities.
• Clearly understand car hire and demurrage.
• As needed approve all man hours under his/her area of responsibility, and process and approve using ADP or other payroll methods.
• Initiate and provide an accurate, complete, and timely investigation of all accidents and incidents, including causes, remedial action, and recommended solutions.
• Adjust locomotive requirements to consist based on HP and trailing tons on a daily basis, with a goal to minimize locomotive fuel and maximize locomotive utilization.
• Understand all outstanding track conditions within his/her territory, including slow orders, and their effect on productivity/efficiency.
• Fill in as required in Engineer or Conductor capacity.
• Cover for other Transportation Managers as required.
• Other duties as requested or required.

QUALIFICATION & EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 5 years' experience in a railway operating environment
• Must be GCOR qualified
• Must be qualified Locomotive Engineer.
• Ability and experience to interact with customers, government agencies and local communities in a professional manner.

Ability to read and comprehend written safety rules, procedure and safety manuals, government regulations, operating and maintenance instructions, memos and other work-related information.

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form; and/or to apply principles of logic to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; and/or to apply principles of rational systems to solve practical problems.

Ability to effectively communicate instructions, directions, processes, procedures, safety rules and regulations to co-workers, supervisors, and others in written, oral, diagrammatic and schedule form.

Ability to train switch crews and other yard personnel to perform job-related duties; and to provide training related to federal and company regulations, rules, safety guidelines and preventive maintenance.

Ability to make independent judgments using sound reasoning skills and knowledge base. Ability to think and act quickly in responding to emergency and non-emergency situations.

Ability to talk to and effectively communicate with co-workers, yard personnel, switching crew, engineers, conductors, railroad officials and others in a clear, concise, courteous, efficient and professional manner.

Ability to pass training and required testing.

Working schedule may vary based on operational requirements.

LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

An inspirational and approachable leadership style that serves as a positive role model for the organization.

A collaborative leadership approach that fosters teamwork, alignment, and effective problem solving.

A visible commitment to safety and regulatory compliance, consistently reinforcing safe operating practices.

Thoughtful and disciplined decision-making supported by sound judgment.

A strong commitment to mentoring, coaching, and developing future leaders.

Fair, balanced leadership with a strong sense of integrity and accountability.

Humility, empathy, and a purpose-driven leadership approach.

Clear, direct communication and the ability to represent the organization effectively both internally and externally.

Ability to pass a background check and drug screening.