DESCRIPTION
This position oversees train operations and is responsible for the safe and efficient movement of all trains within an assigned territory or terminal. It oversees assignment of resources and the management of assets and processes within a terminal or territory. It is accountable for execution of the service plan to include production, quality, cost containment and reassignment of resources as necessary to achieve maximum efficiency. This position ensures the safety of crews and meets operational and financial targets as outlined by the service plan and associated key performance indicators.
Acts as a team lead and coordinates the work of others, supervising the daily activities of operations team members. Applies and enforces guidelines to ensure compliance and equitable application of policies, procedures, practices, programs, processes, and systems and makes suggestions for continued improvement or increased efficiencies. Delivers operational results that align with department commitments. Plans and prioritizes work to meet team commitments. Provides timely and constructive coaching and feedback; develops staff and provides challenging opportunities.
ACCOUNTABILITIES
- Ensures compliance to defined operating practices and procedures, promoting a safe work environment.
- Manages the operational testing program by observing, documenting, and evaluating safe work practices per operating rules and takes action as needed based on results.
- Meets the tactical goals of the service plan by managing assets, reporting results, defining problem areas and implementing solutions. Metrics include asset utilization, execution to plan, cost of quality and safety performance.
- Conducts regularly scheduled employee meetings and programs to emphasize safety and discuss mitigation of risks.
- Investigates incidents, determines root cause, escalates findings and implements corrective action as necessary to prevent recurrence.
- Manages resources and assets in a cost effective manner.
- Serves as a first responder to critical incidents when required.
- Makes recommendations regarding hiring and performance management of staff.
- Ensures execution to plan through defined performance expectations with internal service providers and addresses failures to service level commitments.
- Utilizes operating systems and planning tools to proactively identify problem areas and coordinates solutions to the service plan.
- Coordinates with commercial and/or customer solutions unit to satisfy customer expectations.
- Demonstrates operational excellence by knowing and applying the business requirements. Demonstrates customer focus and contingency planning to ensure stakeholder expectations are met.
- Understands the relevant business metrics and applies effective tactics to sustain a culture of operational effectiveness that produces teams of high performing, engaged and empowered operational leaders.
- Identifies when a rule/regulation/policy has been violated and has one-on-one accountability conversations with an individual who has not met expectations, using KCS Candor, Aligning the Stars & KCS ABC's, and have the individual produce better results.
- Demonstrates KCS's commitment to being ONE TEAM - Living a Speak Up Culture - by using communication and interpersonal skills to enhance inclusion, civility, respect, innovation, safety, customer focus, teamwork within KCS, while encouraging and enabling others to do the same.
- Defines and communicates clearly the teams roles and responsibilities; holds people accountable for accomplishing objectives; recognizes and rewards people who achieve results and deliver on performance expectations; provides pinpointed (specific & measurable) feedback on performance.
- Develops and retains a strong team of high performers; creates a challenging and rewarding work environment; organizes a diverse group of people into a cohesive team to leverage their energy, knowledge and skills; creates grassroots / localized events to train & develop others - including location-specific safety training, localized Speak Up events, regular recognition or team-building activities.
- Exemplifies KCS Vision, Values, and Culture in each and every interaction with team, clients, and stakeholders.
IDEAL CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS
REQUIRED
- High School diploma or equivalent
- Minimal relevant operations experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience
PREFERRED
- Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Transportation, Logistics, Business, General Studies or related field
- Experience managing employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement
- Two (2) years of experience supervising employees in a fast-paced, outdoor environment in all types of weather conditions
- Ability to relocate within the KCS Railway operating system upon career progression or to meet business needs
- Previous experience in the use and application of enterprise resource planning tools (e.g., operating systems, SAP, PeopleSoft, etc.)
- Bilingual - English/Spanish
- Previous Kansas City Southern experience
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Shift work is an essential function of this job. Employees must have the ability and willingness to support mission critical railroad operations 24 hours per day/7 days per week, working various shifts as assigned. Schedule assignments may include after-hours, weekends and holidays.
- Business travel is an essential requirement of this job. Employees must be able and willing to travel away from their primary work location up to 50% of the time.
WE OFFER
- Complete health and welfare benefits package
- Competitive salary
- Incentive Bonus plan
- Vacation plan
EEO STATEMENT
We value a culturally diverse workforce and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer while providing reasonable accommodations for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable law. The talent selection process for vacant positions at Kansas City Southern de México, S.A. de C.V. (KSCM) is governed by the principles established in its Labor Equality and Non-Discrimination Policy, in accordance with the provisions of section III of Article 1 of the Federal Law to Prevent and Eliminate Discrimination (LFPED), and applies to applicants internal and / or external alike. In addition, KCSM does not request clinical tests and / or desk tests from applicants as part of the decision-making process during selection.
COMPANY OVERVIEW
In 1887, Arthur Stilwell constructed a north-south railroad while others were heading east and west, setting the tone for a century-old legacy of outstanding vision; entrepreneurial spirit; resilience in the face of adversity; and, willingness to challenge conventional wisdom. Building on that legacy, our culture is further defined by a new vision for the future and a core set of values - Safety, Customer Focus, Communication, Teamwork, Initiative & Innovation, and Diversity & Civility. We believe that the way we do business is as important as the business we do.
In addition to a culture that allows employees to thrive, we encourage resourcefulness with an award, recognizing employees who see a problem (or opportunity), find a solution, and use whatever authority and resources are available to get a job done well - accomplishing what was previously thought could not be done.
If you want to do work that is creative and strategic, be heard, grow professionally, be valued by your employer, and know that you are making an important contribution to an essential industry, a global supply chain, and the larger economy, Kansas City Southern may be the place for you.
Required Skills
Required Experience