Assistant Superintendent Transportation

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 Assistant Superintendent is a mid level management position which is responsible for the oversight of front-line supervisors (FLS) (FLS - Trainmasters and Assistant Trainmasters), and unionized conductors and locomotive engineers as it relates to day-to-day train operations of the territory or terminal in order to meet CN's service commitments.  The incumbent's primary responsibility is to supervise the FLS in achieving the organization's targets, rules and regulation compliance, act as a point of escalation, intercede with other departments, coach and develop FLS to take on increased responsibility, and oversee the management of unionized employees. The role is critical to ensuring the FLS have the support structure in place to produce the on-time train performance, and thus, CN's commitment to customers in a 24/7 work environment.

Main ResponsibilitiesSafety Orientation, Understanding, Compliance and Enforcement

       Coach and train both management and unionized employees on safe and productive work procedures

       Build safety compliance and improve safety results through regular safety observations; provide feedback (positive and constructive) to subordinate and take action on non-compliant behaviour

       Audit and validate the safety discussions held by front-line supervisors with unionized employees

       Validate and qualify conductor trainees prior to moving onto the spare board

       Respond to crossing incidents and accidents or site of injury to support employee reaction, work with police and manage the site until the track and service have been restored

       Responsible for submission of accident and injury investigation close out

       Respond and coordinate to a dangerous good incident or leak in a yard, liaise with Dangerous Goods Officer and ensure employee and public well-being is upheld

       Train, audit, and implement Standard Operating Procedures

       Ensure safe operation as measured by accidents, incidents and employee injuries

       Achieve weekly and monthly safety observations expectations and objectives in regards to the safety management plan

       Co-chair and participate in Health & Safety Committee meetings on a regular basis

       Interaction with local communities including presentations

Problem Solving and Decision Making

       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

       Ensure the decisions being made consider a larger perspective - consider the territory not just the terminal

       Use operational data in CN systems to identify opportunities to improve asset utilization and service reliability, take action for territory and make recommendations with CN's network implication

       Oversee the management of crew utilization, track deadheads, recrews and unproductive labour cost as well as improve the operations and cost control

       Set recovery plans for service exceptions in conjunction with Rail Traffic Control (RTC) centre

       Oversee and support the front-line supervisors in accurate and timely reporting of delays and identifying ways to reduce delays, managing, monitoring and improving Initial Terminal Delay and Final Terminal Delay

Planning and Organizing Workload 

       Support FLS in working with rail traffic control to manage train line ups and train meets and to predict estimated time of arrival and train crew needs

       Support FLS in managing crew productivity against switching standards, recommend improvements when appropriate

       Keep track of the yard status, service commitments, old dates, inbound arrivals, process traffic to reduce dwell, and ensure train connections and departures meet the service plan

       Establish best opportunity to move traffic against multiple demands

       Oversee cost control and asset utilization as it relates to the territory, ensure terminals are compliant with CN's standards and expectations

       Oversee customers service plan and adjust when required

       Build network relationships to support the strategic initiatives and opportunities of territory and region

General Leadership and Supervision of both FLS and Union Workforce 

       Communicate company goals and policies to create clear understanding of direction and expectations to both front-line supervisory team and unionized employees

       Oversee the investigation process as per collective agreement, and ensure timelines are met and actions progress

       Work with Occupational Health Services in returning employees to work

       Develop and sustain the right employee behaviors with feedback, recognition, reinforcement and coaching

       Participate in the interview process, facilitate training schedule

       Oversee the FLS with time off requests, leave of absences, and attendance management

Performance Management, Training and Onboarding 

       Spearhead Trainmasters: evaluate employee performance and review performance expectations, actual performance, and overall performance ratings

       Work with FLS to create comprehensive development goals and support in the achievement of technical and leadership development, while providing opportunities for growth

       Conduct and validate 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 behaviours 

       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 unexpected emergency or urgent situations.

RequirementsExperience

Trainmaster and Industrial Work

       Trainmaster work experience

       Industrial work experience that demonstrates progression of responsibility and complexity in a safety-compliant environment

o   Experience working with heavy machinery

o   4 years of supervisory experience of both management and unionized employees*

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

Education/Certification/Designation

       High School Diploma

       Valid Driver's Licence

       Qualified Conductor or Locomotive Engineer*

       Bachelor's Degree in Business or Logistics*

*Any education for these above would be considered as an asset

Competencies

       Develops and empowers self and others to ensure CN's success through continuous feedback and coaching

       Shows initiative and empowers others to raise our collective game

       Makes informed and timely decisions to succeed

       Tracks metrics to achieve ambitious targets and holds self accountable to meet performance expectations

       Inspires others with impactful communications, both orally and in written, and adapts well to its audience

       Addresses risks in a timely manner to eliminate them

       Collaborates with key internal stakeholders to enable higher productivity

       Continuously displays a customer centric attitude in order to improve the customer's journey

       Time management and project management

Technical Skills/Knowledge

       Working knowledge of other operating functions (engineering, mechanical, operations centre)

       General Microsoft and computer skills; especially with Excel, Word, SRS, SAP, PAP and applications such as RTBI, DataCity and SmartYard 

       Comprehensive knowledge of safe rail operating practices

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.