Supervisor Chief Dispatcher-US

Canadian National Inc.; Homewood (IL); On-site; USD 132,000 - 141,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Employee share investment program (ES

Pension

Benefits

RRB benefits

Job summary

Canadian National Railway is seeking a front-line supervisor to manage day-to-day train operations, oversee unionized Rail Traffic Control Dispatchers, and ensure network fluidity and on-time performance. The role drives safety, crew utilization and transportation plan execution across a 24/7 operation.

Responsibilities include safety coaching, SOP implementation, data-driven optimization of assets, and coordinating with field teams to meet regional goals while adhering to the CBA.

Qualifications

• Minimum 4 years of supervisory experience of unionized employees.
• 2 years of experience as a Rail Traffic Control Dispatcher.
• Candidates with an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience will be considered

Responsibilities

• Safety Orientation, Understanding, Compliance and Coordinating: coach and train unionized employees on safe operating procedures; build safety compliance and improve safety results; train, audit, and implement SOPs; ensure safe operation as measured by accidents and injuries; meet safety observation objectives.
• Problem Solving and Decision Making: maintain teamwork, use CN data to improve asset utilization and service reliability, lead crew utilization and cost control.
• Planning and Organizing Workload: prepare daily meet plans; monitor track maintenance; set recovery plans; lead train lineups and meets; align crews and schedules; advise on cost control and asset utilization; manage crew allocation by territory per CBA.

Skills

Leadership

Safety orientation

Problem solving

Planning and organizing

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business or Logistics

High School Diploma

Tools

Excel

SRS

SAP

PAP

RTBI

DataCity

Job description

Please note that the language you select on this site will be the primary language used for all future communications regarding your application.

Highest Level Division: Transportation & Network Ops

Posting Start Date: 10/1/26

Posting End Date: 10/11/2016

Hiring Salary Range: $132000 - 141000

This range represents the hiring range. Salaries are determined individually depending on skills and experience. You will also be eligible to an annual bonus, employee share investment program (ESIP), Pension, Benefits, Railroad Retirement Benefits (RRB) and other perks.

At CN, we are committed to our pursuit of excellence. We take pride in delivering work of the highest standard, continually innovating to shape the railroad of the future. As responsible railroaders, we make the right decisions every time, putting safety first, acting with unwavering integrity, and holding ourselves accountable for our actions. We believe in succeeding together—by fostering inclusivity and collaboration, we sustainably deliver exceptional results for our customers.

Join us today and get your career moving!

Job Summary

The incumbent is a front-line supervisor position responsible for the management of day-to-day train operations of the territory and unionized Rail Traffic Control Dispatchers (RTC) to meet CN's service commitments. The incumbent's primary responsibility is to ensure network fluidity, optimal crew utilization and transportation plan implementation. The incumbent oversees the dispatching of trains by providing direction to the RTC based on regional goals and initiatives. Spearheading the day-to-day operations of a 24/7 function, the role is critical to ensuring the on-time performance of trains, and thus, CN's commitment to customers.

Main Responsibilities

Safety Orientation, Understanding, Compliance and Coordinating

• Coach and train unionized employees on safe operating procedures for train movement
• Build safety compliance and improve safety results through regular safety observations; provide feedback (positive and constructive) to subordinates and act on non-compliant behaviour
• Train, audit, and implement standard operating procedures
• Ensure safe operation as measured by accidents and incidents and employee injuries
• Achieve weekly and monthly safety observation expectations and objectives about the safety management plan

Problem Solving and Decision Making

• Maintain teamwork and order among staff, contractors, and internal clients by acting with a sense of urgency to respond to issues as they may arise
• Use operational data in CN systems to identify opportunities to improve asset utilization and service reliability
• Lead crew utilization, track deadheads, recrews and labour cost and act to improve the operations and cost control

Planning and Organizing Workload

• Prepare daily meet plans
• Monitor the oversight of track maintenance, track repairs, and upgrades while overseeing the operation of train movement
• Set recover plans for service exceptions in conjunction with field
• Lead train line ups and train meets and to predict estimated time of arrival and train crew needs
• Align train crews and schedule
• Determine best opportunity to move trains against multiple demands
• Give recommendations to cost control and asset utilization when planning workflow and implementing decisions
• Manage crew allocation by territory requirements as per CBA

General Leadership of Union Workforce

• Communicate company goals and policies to create clear understanding of direction and expectations
• Conduct investigations per collective agreement and issue discipline in collaboration with the leadership team
• Develop and sustain the right employee behaviours with feedback, recognition, reinforcement and coaching

Performance Management, Training and Onboarding

• Evaluate employee performance and review performance expectations, actual performance, and overall performance ratings
• Conduct onboarding conversations to ensure employees are adopting proper work practices, and have the knowledge, tools and understanding to perform their job safely and efficiently
• Identify and coach performance deficiencies, and act to build required behaviour
• Share best practices, information and operational concerns to create transparency and clear understanding of CN's direction and expectations

Working Conditions

The role has irregular hours (including nights, weekends, holidays). The incumbent has an overall commitment to safety, while working in conjunction with collective agreement.

Experience

• Industrial work experience that demonstrates progression of responsibility and complexity in a safety-compliant environment*
• Minimum 4 years of supervisory experience of unionized employees*
• 2 years of experience as a Rail Traffic Control Dispatcher*
• Candidates with an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience will be considered

Industrial Work

• Industrial work experience that demonstrates progression of responsibility and complexity in a safety-compliant environment*
• Minimum 4 years of supervisory experience of unionized employees*
• 2 years of experience as a Rail Traffic Control Dispatcher*
• Candidates with an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience will be considered

*Any requirement marked with (*) will be considered an asset (not mandatory)

Education/Certification/Designation

• High School Diploma
• Bachelor's Degree in Business or Logistics*
• Candidates with equivalent practical experience, education, or training will be considered

• High School Diploma
• Bachelor's Degree in Business or Logistics*
• Candidates with equivalent practical experience, education, or training will be considered

*Any requirement marked with (*) will be considered an asset (not mandatory)

• We Care About Each Other
• We Strive for Excellence
• We Succeed Together
• Vision and strategic thinking
• Impactful and inclusive leadership
• Performance and value delivery
• Empowerment and talent development
• Strategic communication and influence
• Managerial courage and decisiveness
• High
• Planning
• Coordination

Technical Skills/Knowledge

• Knowledge of operating rules, procedures and policies
• General Microsoft and computer skills; especially with Excel, Word, SRS, SAP, PAP, Applications such as RTBI and DataCity

Additional Information (If Any)

Schedule: 4x3 rotation, 12-hour shifts

Schedule: 4x3 rotation, 12-hour shifts
About CN

CN is a premium railroad that sustainably generates value for our customers, shareholders, employees, and stakeholders with an unwavering commitment to safety and service. Essential to the economy, to the customers, and to the communities it serves, CN safely transports more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year. CN's network connects Canada’s Eastern and Western coasts with the U.S. South through an 18,800-mile rail network. CN and its affiliates have been contributing to community prosperity and sustainable trade since 1919. CN powers the North American economy and is committed to programs supporting social responsibility and environmental stewardship.

At CN, we are dedicated to building North America's safest, most inclusive and sustainable railroad, which includes reflecting the communities in which we operate. Research shows that candidates often don't apply unless they feel they fit the job posting at 100%. To all potential applicants, even if you don't meet every job requirement listed in a posting, we still encourage you to apply. If you require an accommodation for the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials, accessible meeting rooms or other accommodations), please get in touch with our team at [e-mail].

As an equal opportunity employer, qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law.

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