Site Start Up Manager

Find your Path and Navigate your future at Compass Rail!

At Compass Rail, we are dedicated to providing top-tier solutions for railcar repair and transloading. With an experienced team and a commitment to excellence, we offer a comprehensive range of services tailored to meet the diverse needs of our clients in the rail transportation industry.

The Start Up Manager will function in all aspects as an Area Manager in daily job duties. The key difference in comparison with the Area Manager is that the Start Up Manager will always travel to initiate startups from new MSA's that are handed over to Operations from Sales/Marketing/Business Development and w ill report directly to Director of Operations or Operations Manager.

Salary Range $80k/yr- $110k/yr

Position Summary

• This position will oversee new hire onboarding and training initiation at new start up locations as well as startup crews that are conducting regular inspections of rolling stock to identify AAR/FRA defects such as worn-out components, damaged components, or loose fasteners.
• This position requires managing up to 6 startup crews at a time with 2-4 crew members per truck. P re- Mobilization Planning - initial site visit to establish Sponsoring railroad operations and procedures, incorporating those local requirements into CRS site specific safety and operations plans working with Safety and Quality departments, review and financial forecast of hours and billings shared with sponsoring railroad during contracting period to establish the budget and financial goals. Develop staffing plans and coordinate with leadership team on new hires or transfers from other locations promoting from within where feasible.
• As the business develops, it is envisioned that the role of Start Up Manager may no longer be necessary. At that time, anyone in that role may be offered an opportunity for a local Area Manager in any available CRS area if work supports the position and Startup Manager has proven his/herself a successful employee, hitting all metrics/goals set forth.
• There will be target times and goals set forth as dictated by location specifics. Communication and strategizing are a key strong point for this position.

Primary Job Duties

• Supervising and performing inspection, maintenance, and repair work on railroad rolling stock in multiple locations at a time via qualified individuals that are trained, ensuring they are safe and operational at new start up locations. Each startup location will have a minimum timeframe to complete the following items before handing off to the permanent RRA Area Manager:
• Establish RR Communication Structure with RR Ops team and share with CRS team.
• Learn the RR layout, operations and switch schedule by the end of week 1.
• Identify and complete any RR or Industry specific safety training on top of Compass' safety training.
• Fill out all information pertaining to the site SOP.
• Identify material staging area approved. Receive startup material orders and organize material by material staging template. Identify any other special parts or equipment not currently incorporated in the startup template.
• Verify that all work trucks are rigged out with correct tools/parts and place in individual compartments to follow truck tool template.
• Identify local labor to replace the travelling crew by using: Indeed/Referral/Cummings Technical/etc.
• Begin the Onboarding process for all local hires.
• Ensure the target hours set forth by the estimating team are being met consistently before location is handed off to RRA permanent team.
• Depending on the size of the location, once the local new hires are consistently billing on their own, handoff times to the permanent RRA manager will vary. Each location will be evaluated before handoff and assigned at that time.

Other Job duties include:

• Coordinating with Director of Health and Safety ensuring that all maintenance and repair activities adhere to safety regulations and guidelines of AAR/FRA/OSHA to prevent accidents and injuries.
• Coordinating with Director of Quality in maintaining records of maintenance activities, inspections, and repairs for reporting and auditing purposes.
• Managing the budget for billable hours, including procurement of materials and equipment ensuring that the financial goals and budgets established are achieved
• Collaborating sponsoring railroads other departments and agencies involved in rail operations, such as scheduling track closures for maintenance work, the billing department, and the purchasing department.
• Providing/Scheduling training to repair personnel on safety procedures, equipment operation, and repair techniques.
• Responding to track emergencies, such as derailments or bad order cars to quickly restore rail service for customers.
• Identifying opportunities for production activities at new locations as well as determining work schedule based off railroad schedules and communication.
• Hitting target hour/revenue goal monthly and having detailed reasons if not on track.
• Coordinating a structured hand off newly established locations to permanent management team ensuring a smooth transition from startup status maintain daily billable hours throughout the process
• Assist and coordinate with BD (Business Development) Personnel with local railroad potential new customer identification and qualification for MRU, and In Plant services - transload, car switching and in plant repairs, meeting potential customers, and establishing relationships with potential customers.
• Continuous Improvement: Work on ways to constantly reduce startup time and cost to make the process as efficient as possible. Follow up with new locations to participate in periodic audits - safety, quality, operational efficiencies.
• When not assigned to new location startup, Startup Manager will focus on continuing the development of MRU and In Plant customers at locations and developing new opportunities to coordinate response with BD Team.
• Startup crews/ manager may also be utilized for non-certified MRU projects in process during any lapses in startup projects.
• Fill in for any other sites/managers that are on vacation in their absence.
• Startup crews / manager may also be utilized for any OJT training endeavors in process during any lapses in startup projects.

Why Roll with Us?

• Health, Dental and Vision Benefits
• Vacation and Holiday Pay
• 401K on Day 1
• Travel reimbursements and more!