Director Dispatching

Canadian Pacific (CP) and Kansas City Southern (KCS) are now CPKC. As the only truly North American railway, we are making big moves! Drawing on our strong foundations and heritage, CPKC moves essential goods across our 20,000-mile network to support economic growth throughout Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. Be a part of history as we connect a continent and create exciting career opportunities across our new transnational network. Visit cpkcr.com to learn about the CPKC advantage, our purpose and culture.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

The Director, Dispatching provides leadership, mentorship and supports safety to a team of Train Dispatchers. You will be responsible for all operational related matters pertaining to the execution of the “Daily” Operating Plan within their assigned territories, including any bulk train slotting. This role requires display of leadership accountability for inputs and outputs of safety, service, productivity and financial metrics; and be accountable for execution of on-time and full duration Engineering Services work blocks.

This position will require an  extensive travel to Minneapolis, MN up until Summer of 2024 at which point the Minneapolis, MN center  and the Kansas City, MO center will be merged and the travel requirements will greatly reduce.

POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Meets or exceeds the monthly and annual safety objectives:
  • On a monthly basis, performs the required number of quality efficiency tests
  • Conducts monthly Safety topic discussions
  • Participate in rules review/coaching sessions
  • Provides written correspondence in a timely fashion to support positive/negative Train Dispatcher behaviors
  • Participate in managerial safety audits as required
  • Complete Train Rides, Safety and Health Committee meetings, and Safety meetings as required
  • Complete weekly Operation Center Management Quizzes on time with a minimum score of 90%
  • Required to maintain/become rules qualified (GCOR, OTS, TOCM, Haz Mat, GOI, etc.)
• Train performance:   
  • Communicate and ensure execution of the Operating plan
  • Monitor train performance, in consideration of long train meet locations, Trip Plan, and train status
  • Ensures execution failures are recorded in Nexus and necessary emails notifications are sent to appropriate distribution lists
  • Provide feedback and documentation as required
  • Responsible for the validation and execution of the over the road power plans
  • Coordinates with 3rd party carriers (CN, UP, NS, short lines)
  • Monitors recorded NEXUS train delay, ensuring delays explanations comply with pre-set standards
  • Ensures there are NO outstanding variances to report in assigned territory
  • Monitor all over the road work events to ensure work is completed within standards
• Incident Alert reporting:
  • Ensures that all incident notifications are completed promptly and accurately 
  • Ensures the data documented is accurate,  including: cause, status, details, location, time delayed, subsequent impacts
  • Escalate any crew transportation exceptions
  • Completes the Mainline Derailment checklist and crew interview within 5” of incident
  • Manages the Operation Center emergency response processes escalating emergent conditions to the Senior Director  
  • Further, executes incident recovery plans, conference calls, detour monitoring, etc
• Ensure effective management of Running Trades Employees (RTE) in accordance with the collective agreements/applicable guidelines:
  • Review Crew Dispatcher (CD) manpower reports to ensure lineup is protected escalating any areas of concerns
• Accountable for execution of the Daily Engineering Services work block plan for major Engineering Services work programs and scheduled Engineering Services maintenance blocks where applicable:
  • On time start
  • Execute the required daily duration
  • Plans 24 hours out, based on Engineering Services Daily plan & Train Performance Graph (TPG)
  • Develops contingencies, and or Communicate exceptions  LATE start/ block duration to  Senior Director
  • Address exceptions to the plan

• Monitors all applicable CPKC Systems; NEXUS, TRAM, CTC, CMA, CREW BALANCER, etc., ensuring information accuracy and Safe Train Operations
• Manages over-the-road locomotive failures, including lifting Bad Order (B/O) locomotives
• Develops contingency plans

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• University Degree or  5 years of railway experience and/or strong transportation industry based knowledge
• Working knowledge of collective agreement
• Strong organizational skills and ability see long term initiatives through to completion (6-12 months)
• Experience in a Railway Dispatching Center preferred
• Knowledge of corporate operating systems/applications
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong problem solving skills
• Ability to cope with stress, and continue to deal effectively in emergent situations
• Strong leadership skills, able to engage unionized staff as well as influence leaders

WHAT CPKC HAS TO OFFER:

• Flexible and competitive benefits package
• Employer Funded Retirement Plan
• Employee Share Purchase Plan
• Performance Incentive Program
• Annual Fitness Subsidy
• Part-time Studies Program

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

As an employer with North American presence, the possibility does exist that the location of your position may be changed based on organizational requirements.

Medical Requirements:
CPKC is committed to the safety and health of its employees and the general public.  This position is a safety critical; all new hires will be required to complete a pre-employment medical that includes a physical, vision, hearing, alcohol, and drug audit assessments. Qualification drug test(s) are also required.

Background Investigation:

The successful candidate will need to successfully complete the following clearances:       

• Criminal history check
• Reference check
• Last 3 years of driving history
• Last 7 years of employment history; includes military service
• Social Security number verification

Management Conductor Program:

Becoming a qualified conductor or locomotive engineer is the single best way for a management employee to learn the business at CPKC. You may be required to obtain a certification or to maintain your current certification/qualification as a conductor or locomotive engineer.

CPKC is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, inclusive of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. 

• Req ID: 101697
• Department: Operations Southern Division
• Job Type: Full-Time
• Position Type: Non-Union
• Location: Kansas City, Missouri
• Country: United States
• % of Travel:
• # of Positions: 1
• Job Grade: 3
• Compensation Rate:
• Job Available to: Internal & External

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