Manager, Mechanical Car

At CN, every day 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

When stationed at a main terminal, the Manager, Mechanical Car is responsible for leading all mechanical operations on a day-to-day basis, including inspection, maintenance, and repair of freight cars and to ensure the on-time performance of trains and delivery of freight cars to meet customer requirements. This Manager may also oversee a team of supervisors stationed at remote locations (line points) and spearhead the maintenance, inspection, and repair of railcars and locomotives when required outside of a main terminal (line points). Ultimately, by monitoring, supervising, and correcting the performance of both supervisory and unionized employees in a 24-7 operation, the role is crucial in ensuring the on-time performance of trains, and thus, CN’s commitment to customers.

Main Responsibilities

Safety Orientation, Compliance and Implementation

1. Oversee the overall application of safety processes and procedures
2. Validate the completion of Front Line Supervisors efficiency testing and quality audits
3. Conduct and follow up on accident and injury investigations and corrective action
4. Build safety compliance and improve safety results through a team of supervisors and unionized employees via regular efficiency testing and safety walkabouts
5. Provide positive and constructive feedback as well as coaching to employees
6. Lead the on-boarding and training activities of new employees
7. Develop and revise standard operational and working practices and observe workers to ensure compliance with standards
8. Monitor and direct the safe inspection and repair of railcars
9. Coach Shift Supervisors on safe and productive work procedures and validate general employee understanding
10. Respond to a dangerous goods incident and leak in a yard. Liaise with Dangerous Goods Officer to ensure employee and public well-being is upheld
11. Ensure processes and point person are in place to audit and ensure compliance requirements are met (American Association of Railroads (AAR) inspections, chain inspections, qualification recertification, equipment)
12. Ensure an active involvement in Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) as well as ensuring subsequent follow-up
13. Ensure an active involvement in Apprentice Committee Workplace Location Joint Apprentice Committee (WLJAC)

Problem Solving and Decision Making

1. Lead budgets, workforce productivity and manpower within CN policy
2. Review production and operation reports and resolve operations and maintenance problems to ensure minimum costs and operational delays
3. Oversee wrecking response to yard and line outages, working with Transportation and Engineering and direct reports to efficiently restore service to the operation
4. Use CN’s data to analyze car inspection and repair productivity. Establish actions to improve fleet reliability as well as efficient inspection and repair processes
5. Maintain teamwork and order amongst staff, contractors, and internal clients by acting with a sense of urgency to respond to issues as they may arise

Planning and Organizing Workload

1. Ensure the cohesiveness and execution of mechanical activities across the zone
2. Establish effective strategies and metrics to measure, control and improve freight-car reliability and availability for internal and external customers safely, and within budget constraints
3. Create and maintain supervisory and unionized schedules to ensure adequate staffing
4. Ensure the timely processing of inbound and outbound car inspections
5. Direct and coordinate through subordinate supervisory personnel applying knowledge of production methods, processes, terminal layout and mechanical maintenance
6. Monitor inbound trains for freight cars requiring maintenance or repairs and coordinate with Transportation to ensure cars are repaired in proper sequence and order, requiring effective delegation and planning to front-line staff
7. Control car repair on the train or on the Repair in Place (RIP) track and in the shop
8. Drive freight car fleet reliability as measured by bad order status, percentage of cars available and initial terminal delay
9. Ensure overall utilization is maximized, as measured by productivity, attendance and labour costs
10. Validate proper inventory levels based on consumption

General Leadership and Supervision of both Union & Non-Union Workforce

1. Build and lead an effective, high performing team in a unionized environment
2. Lead, plan, and control the overall repair/maintenance of freight equipment as well as purchasing
3. Direct and develop a group of supervisors and ensure efficient deployment of people and assets
4. Ensure team unity amongst supervisory and unionized workforces while adhering to all provisions of the collective agreement and ensure effective labour and union relations
5. Oversee Mechanical Supervisors and ensure mechanical work is performed within CN, Federal Railroad Association, Transport Canada, and AAR standards
6. Direct the supervision of hourly employees and ensure mechanical work is performed in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement
7. Manage day-to-day issues, along with hourly performance issues including conducting investigations, recommending appropriate steps to correct performance issues and responding to grievances
8. Lead the onboarding and training activities of new employees
9. Formalize work activity processes and coordinate changes and enhancements with staff and Transportation Department peers
10. Develop and implement action plans and goals for supervisory staff and monitor development to ensure continued improvement
11. Communicate company goals and policies to create clear understanding of direction and expectations
12. Oversee Employee Performance Scorecard (EPS) process for front-line supervisors: evaluate supervisor performance and review performance expectations, actual and overall performance ratings for reports. Have EPS accountability for front-line supervisors and ensure completion
13. Develop and sustain the right employee behaviours with feedback, recognition, reinforcement and coaching

Working Conditions

1. The incumbent may be required to work on varying shifts for the operations that run 24 hours per day, 7 days a week including holidays
2. The work environment is primarily indoors, but can require field support outdoors
3. The working schedule may vary and will include weekdays, weekends and statutory holidays, based on territory requirements
4. Minimal travel requirements (up to 10%), which may include overnight stays away from home
5. The role requires to respond to some emergency situations

Requirements

Experience

1. Electrical and Mechanical
2. Minimum 3 years experience in railroad Mechanical Shopcraft or comparable position
3. Minimum 5 years supervisory experience of both unionized and non-union employees

Education/Certification/Designation

1. High School Diploma
2. Valid Driver’s Licence
3. Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering
4. Technician or Technologist Diploma in Mechanical or Electrical

Competencies

1. Follow safety procedures, information security instructions and ESC principles to lead by example
2. Improve processes on a continuous basis to enhance safety, security and to reduce CN's environmental footprint
3. Collaborate with key internal stakeholders to enable higher productivity
4. Provide timely feedback to recognize efforts, behaviours and results
5. Influence others with impactful communications and adapt well to its audience
6. Know the business and stay current with industry trends to elevate expertise and work
7. Track metrics to achieve ambitious targets
8. Apply analytical thinking to make recommendations that pursue sustainable performance
9. Bilingualism: French and English

Technical Skills/Knowledge

1. Leadership, Finance/business acumen, communication, planning and organizing, problem solving and decision making, process improvement, investigation of accidents budget control and customer service (internal and external)
2. Billing requirements
3. General Microsoft computer skills (Excel, Word), SRS, SAP, PAP, RTBI, DataCity, SmartYard
4. Comprehensive knowledge of car construction and operation, inspection and repair, operating rules, Transport Canada, AAR, and mechanical railroad operation measures
5. Comprehensive knowledge of car types, components and operation, inspection and repair, yard operating rules and regulatory requirements

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.