At CN, everyday brings new and exciting challenges. You can expect an interesting environment where you’re part of making sure our business is running optimally and safely―helping keep the economy on track. We provide the kind of paid training and opportunities that long-term careers are built on and we recognize hard workers who strive to make a difference. You will be able to thrive in our close-knit, safety-focused culture working together as ONE TEAM. The careers we offer are meaningful because the work we do matters. Join us!

Job Summary

The Manager, Locomotive Reliability Center is responsible for managing the operation of a repair facility including overseeing Supervisors and employees working in the facility as well as mechanical inspections, maintenance, and repair of locomotives. The incumbent ensures the on-time performance of trains and delivery of locomotives as well as the interaction and management of escalated issues within Mechanical and from stakeholders. In addition, the role manages the performance of supervisory staff and hourly employees including monitoring, analysis of issues, and corrective actions, within a 24/7 operation. The incumbent will work as a member of a rotational team to support the locomotive facilities in Homewood, Illinois and Gary, Indiana.

Main Responsibilities

Operations Management

• Oversee and ensure workload planning and resources including monitoring inbound trains for locomotives requiring maintenance or repairs
• Coordinate with Transportation to ensure equipment is repaired in proper sequence and order
• Oversee deployment of crews to inspect equipment and test air brakes
• Oversee process of equipment repairs on trains and in the shop
• Manage wrecking response to yard and line of road outages in conjunction with Transportation, Engineering, and direct reports to efficiently restore service to the fleet
• Monitor and direct inspection and repair of tools, shop equipment and facility
• Drive equipment reliability as measured by bad order status, percentage of equipment active, and initial terminal delay
• Manage workforce productivity within the Department according to CN policies
• Monitor employee performance and identify ways of improving productivity and employee accountability
• Implement new technologies and review processes to identify efficiencies
• Set workforce productivity Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and analyze reporting regularly
• Formalize work activity processes and coordinate changes and enhancements with staff and Transportation Department peers

People Management

• Provide positive and constructive feedback and coaching to direct and indirect reports (Front Line Supervisors and unionized employees)
• Lead on-boarding process and training activities of new employees
• Oversee the daily management of assigned staff (scheduling)
• Ensure mechanical work is performed within the purview of collective bargaining agreements
• Manage day-to-day and hourly performance issues including conducting investigations, recommending appropriate discipline to correct performance issues, and responding to grievances
• Develop and implement action plans and goals for supervisory staff and monitor development to ensure continued improvement

Safety Management

• Lead and drive safety accountability compliance and improve safety results through regular efficiency testing and safety walkabouts
• Maintain facility and ensure staff have the right tools to operate safely
• Ensure Front Line Supervisors are maintaining staff accountability
• Participate in daily and weekly system safety calls
• Communicate learning events (e.g. injury-free milestones) on a terminal and system level to educate others and work to collaboratively address issues and identify solutions
• Maintain up to date knowledge on CN, Transport Canada and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) safety rules and regulations
• Lead by example through actions and decisions

Budget Management

• Manage budget and costs including service contracts, headcount, overtime, expenses, etc.
• Review budgeting and costing on a weekly basis
• Prepare and request capital expenditures

Working Conditions

The incumbent may be required to work on varying shifts to cover operations that run 24/7, 365 days a year. Work shifts may vary and can include weekdays, weekends and statutory holidays. Work is primarily carried out indoors, but requires field support which can be in varying types of weather. The incumbent must be available on-call based on territory and operational requirements, including all mainline issues or any other incident or occurrence in responsible zone. The role requires minimal travel (<10%) which may include overnight stays away from home based on territory and operational requirements.

Requirements

Experience

Railroad Mechanical Shop

• Minimum 5 years of experience in a supervisory railroad mechanical shop craft or equivalent

o Experience managing unionized employees*

• Any experience for these above would be considered as an asset

Education/Certification/Designation

• High School Diploma or General Educational Development (GED)
• Valid Driver’s License

Competencies

• Follows safety procedures, information security instructions and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles to lead by example
• Addresses risks in a timely manner to eliminate them
• Improves processes on a continuous basis to enhance safety, security and to reduce CN's environmental footprint
• Shares timely information within and across functions to get things done effectively
• Shows initiative and empowers others to raise CN’s collective game
• Inspires others with impactful communications and adapts to the audience
• Leverages feedback and coaching to improve performance
• Tracks metrics to achieve ambitious targets and holds self and others accountable to meet performance expectations
• Deals with pressure and change by staying calm to quickly adapt to changes
• Knows the business and stays current with industry trends to elevate expertise and work

Technical Skills/Knowledge

• Solid understanding of legal and mandatory requirements of the respective functions
• Knowledge of maintenance and repair of equipment to Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) specifications
• Knowledge of training techniques and ability to suggest enhancements to existing training programs
• Ability to write processes and procedures
• Knowledge of labour relations
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)

About CN

CN is a world-class transportation leader and trade-enabler. 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. As the only railroad connecting Canada’s Eastern and Western coasts with the Southern tip of the U.S. through a 19,500 mile rail network, CN and its affiliates have been contributing to community prosperity and sustainable trade since 1919. CN is committed to programs supporting social responsibility and environmental stewardship. At CN, we work as ONE TEAM, focused on safety, sustainability and our customers, providing operational and supply chain excellence to deliver results.

CN is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to fill vacant positions with qualified candidates without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, or disability, assuming an individual can perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation. Only qualified candidates under consideration will be contacted. Please monitor your email on a regular basis, as communication is primarily made through email.