Supervisor Transportation

Canadian National Inc.; Dubuque (IA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Employee share investment program (ESI

Pension

Railroad Retirement Benefits (RRB)

Other perks

Job summary

Canadian National Inc. in the United States (Iowa/Dubuque area) is seeking an entry-level frontline supervisor to manage day-to-day train operations, ensuring safety and compliance with CN rules.

The role may be on-call and reports to remote locations while coordinating with customers and crews to keep trains moving. The incumbent will supervise a 24/7 operation, learn CN procedures, and supervise unionized crews.

Qualifications

• Industrial work experience in a safety-compliant environment.
• Experience working with heavy machinery.
• 4 years of supervisory experience with or without a unionized workforce.
• 3 years of railroad experience as conductor; other combinations accepted.

Responsibilities

• Safety Orientation, Understanding, Compliance and Enforcement.
• Coach and train unionized employees on safe procedures.
• Improve safety compliance through observations and actions on non-compliant behavior.
• Monitor incidents and injuries and support management during emergencies.
• Develop recovery plans for service exceptions with leadership.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Safety awareness

Railroad knowledge

Communication skills

Education

High School Diploma

Valid Driver's Licence

Certified Conductor or Locomotive Engineer

Degree in Business or Logistics

Tools

Excel

Word

SRS

SAP

PAP

RTBI

DataCity

SmartYard

Job description

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Business Unit: Operations

Highest Level Division: Transportation & Network Ops

Posting Start Date: 10/22/26

Posting End Date: 11/05/2026

Hiring Salary Range: $105000 - 115000

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 an entry-level front line supervisor position responsible for meeting CN's service commitments by managing the day-to-day train operations within a territory or terminal and the unionized train crews associated. The incumbent is responsible for learning the operation and organizing the territory to ensure train departures and operations are performed safely, efficiently and in compliance with governing regulations and CN's operating rules. The incumbent may also be an on-call position that reports to remote locations (line points) and deals directly with customers and main line concerns. The incumbent will manage the day-to-day operations of a 24/7 function.

Main Responsibilities

Safety Orientation, Understanding, Compliance and Enforcement

• Attend Front Line Supervisor Development Programs
• Coach and train unionized employees on safe and productive work procedures
• Improve safety compliance through regular observations, feedback and action on non-compliant behaviour
• Ensure safe operations by monitoring accidents, incidents and employee injuries
• Meet weekly and monthly safety observation targets and safety management plan objectives
• Support the Transportation Manager and Assistant Superintendent during crossing accidents, incidents or injuries, including employee response, police coordination and site management until service is restored
• Draft accident and injury investigation close-out reports
• Support the Transportation Manager and Assistant Superintendent during dangerous goods incidents or leaks, liaising with the Dangerous Goods Officer to protect employees and the public
• Train, audit and enforce Standard Operating Procedures
• Participate in accident and incident investigations

Problem Solving and Decision Making

• Maintain teamwork and order among staff, contractors and internal clients by responding urgently to issues
• Use CN operational data to improve asset utilization and service reliability; act within own territory and recommend network improvements
• Oversee crew utilization, deadheads, recrews and labour costs; improve operations and cost control with the Transportation Manager and Assistant Superintendent
• Develop recovery plans for service exceptions with RTC, the Transportation Manager and Assistant Superintendent
• Oversee timely, accurate delay reporting and reduce Initial and Final Terminal Delay

Planning and Organizing Workload

• Work with Rail Traffic Control to manage train lineups, meets, ETAs and crew needs
• Manage crew productivity against switching standards and recommend improvements
• Track yard status, service commitments, inbound traffic and connections to reduce dwell and meet the service plan
• Prioritize traffic movement across competing demands
• Recommend cost control and asset utilization improvements in planning and implementation
• Monitor and adjust customer service plans

General Leadership and Supervisions of both Union Workforce

• Communicate company goals and policies to create clear understanding of direction and expectations to unionized employees
• Conduct investigations per collective agreement and issue discipline with support from Transportation Manager or Assistant Superintendent as well as Labour relations
• Develop and sustain the right employee behaviours with feedback, recognition, reinforcement and coaching
• Process the administration leave of absence and time off requests (varies depending on location)

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 take action to build required behaviour
• Share best practices, information, operational concerns and company information in order to create transparency and clear understanding of company direction and expectations

Working Conditions

The role has irregular hours (including nights, weekends, holidays). The incumbent will work in a combination of an office environment and the outdoors in various types of weather and environmental conditions. The role requires travel for company business without advance notice which may include responding to emergencies or urgent situations. The incumbent has an overall commitment to safety, while working in conjunction with collective agreement.

Experience

• Industrial work experience demonstrating progression of responsibility and complexity in a safety-compliant environment
• Experience working with heavy machinery
• 4 years of supervisory experience - management or with unionized employees*
• 3 years of experience on railroad as conductor*
• Candidates with an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience will be considered

Industrial Work

• Industrial work experience demonstrating progression of responsibility and complexity in a safety-compliant environment
• Experience working with heavy machinery
• 4 years of supervisory experience - management or with unionized employees*
• 3 years of experience on railroad as conductor*
• 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
• Valid Driver's Licence
• Certified Conductor or Locomotive Engineer*
• Degree in Business or Logistics*
• Candidates with equivalent practical experience, education, or training will be considered

• High School Diploma
• Valid Driver's Licence
• Certified Conductor or Locomotive Engineer*
• 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
• We lead responsibly
• Vision and strategic thinking
• Performance and value delivery
• Impactful and inclusive leadership
• Empowerment and talent development
• Strategic communication and influence
• Managerial courage and decisiveness
• Coordination
• High impact execution
• Planning
• Compliance

Technical Skills/Knowledge

• General Microsoft and computer skills; especially: Excel, Word, SRS, SAP, PAP, Applications such as RTBI, DataCity, SmartYard
• Comprehensive knowledge of safe rail operating practices

Additional Information (If Any)

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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