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
- 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
Any requirement marked with (*) will be considered an asset (not mandatory).
Competencies
- 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
- Prioritization
- 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
