Senior 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 Senior Director Dispatching provides leadership, guidance and mentoring a team of Director Dispatching Dispatchers, and Train Dispatchers/Operations Supervisors. You will ensure the efficient execution of the Daily Production Management Regional Train Plan within their region including the slotting of bulk trains. This includes directing the day to day refinement of the Operating plan; optimization/utilization of field operations resources (crews/locomotives/slots); ensure Engineering, Mechanical and Customer requirements are met in an optimal manner; and reflect emergent tactical needs.

As a Senior Directors you will perform a leadership role within the MOC and a broader coordinating role in response to significant unplanned events occur which may involve outages, derailments, detours etc. or some combination thereof and provide leadership accountability for inputs and outputs of safety, service, productivity and financial metrics.

This position will be relocating down to Kansas City, MO in summer of 2024.

POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Coaches and mentors chief dispatchers within their geographic area of responsibility, including skills assessment and development plans as well as formal PMP reviews
• Validates the feasibility of and directs the successful execution of the Daily Production Management Regional Train Plan (IOP/Bulk slots) including: Bulk meetings, coordinates with 3rd party carriers (West shore, CN, UP, NS, short lines), VMB, and OCS car movements review Voice of the Customer (VOC) and lift within 24 hrs
• Ensures that the day to day performance management of Train Dispatchers and Operation Supervisors is performed effectively by the Chief Dispatchers. Subdivision operating plans audited at (RTC level) and K cards
• Ensure effective management of running trade employees within the MOC in accordance with the appropriate collective agreements and guidelines. i.e. weekly review of TCRC scorecard, Nexus crew balancer 2 Audit, Deadhead scorecard review
• Validates the feasibility of and directs the successful execution of the Daily ES work block ensuing on time start and block duration for all major ES work programs. Attend weekly ES meeting and sign off on plan, validate the daily plan with the PM team (VMB), address exceptions to the plan, which impact on train performance
• Meets or exceeds the annual safety objectives: Adherence to the transportation safety plan, review monthly MOC safety scorecard and address noncompliance to inputs, lead/actively participate in the monthly safety and health committee meetings and drive actions to address trends, communicate safety performance (successes and failures)VMB
• Ensures bad order locomotive are lifted as per Locomotive Manager guidance and daily review of mechanical locomotive availability report
• Ensures all reporting is completed as required by regulation and policies e.g. FRA, TSA (external), Environmental Management Systems Group (internal)

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• University Degree or equivalent industry knowledge
• 10 years railway operations experience or strong transportation industry based knowledge
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Knowledge of Corporate operating systems/applications/policies/metrics
• Collective agreement knowledge
• Strong organizational skills and ability see long term initiatives through to completion (12-24 months)
• Ability to cope with stress and continue to deal effectively in emergent situations
• Strong communication skills including verbal, written and  speaking to groups of 20-30 subordinates and colleagues
• Strong leadership skills – ability to engage and direct immediate reports and unionized staff as well as influence senior leaders
• Required to work shift work (24/7 365 days per year)
• Maintain current certification
• Can be redeployed to support corporate contingency plans as required
• Able to deal with emergent situations on a continuous basis
• If not certified as a Train Dispatcher, willing to undergo Dispatcher Certification
• Able to handle stressful situations in a calm demeanor
• Ability to drill down, understand root cause and resolve complex issues

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
• Flexible Work Environment

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: 101704
• Department: Operations Southern Division
• Job Type: Full-Time
• Position Type: Non-Union
• Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Country: United States
• % of Travel: 10-20%
• # of Positions: 1
• Job Grade: 2
• Job Available to: Internal & External

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