VP of Rail Operations

VP Of Rail Operations

Come join a winning team! Since 1970 Plastic Express has met the bulk trucking, bulk terminal, packaging, and warehousing needs of the plastics industry. Our strategic locations, modern systems, and dedicated employees allow us to provide custom tailored logistical solutions to fulfill the most challenging needs of our customers. Plastic Express operates from 22 full-service facilities, more than 40 bulk terminals, and 52 railcar terminals offering more than 8,500 railcar spots across the country. We are located near 9 major ports in the U.S. and rely heavily on our rail infrastructure to handle imports / exports as well as regional distribution. At many of the Plastic Express sites, we also handle some non-plastic commodities, which include paper rolls, steel, building materials, and other dry bulk materials. Plastic Express owns and operates roughly 250 trucks, with approximately 250 trailers performing full bulk truck distribution business. Plastic Express is headquartered in Houston, TX and has over 600 employees nationwide. Our goal has always been to exceed our customer's expectations, and our can do-attitude is what differentiates us from the competition. Plastic Express employees have always been our key to success and total customer satisfaction. We are always looking for dependable & talented business professionals that will help us to grow and to continue our "Can Do" tradition.

This position requires an experienced and strategic professional who will lead all rail-focused efforts. Will be responsible for cultivating strong internal and external relationships to include cross departmental relationships, vendor relations, and strong allegiances with Class I and short line railroad providers. The VP of Rail Operations will advance the company by identifying and advancing opportunities for rail infrastructure and operational expansion. This position will help drive the securing of commercial agreements that strengthen our growing rail terminal network to achieve the business growth and strategic objectives. With reporting responsibilities to the company's Chief Operating Officer, this position is directly responsible for management of the company rail operations, to include sites that are internally switched and serviced with company assets and direct employees, along with managing Rail Terminals where the company provides regional storage and inventory placement for our customers' materials. This position is responsible for helping company achieve financial goals and objectives and increasing operating performance. Responsible for preparing operating plans / budgets, creating business plans, and solving internal issues as they arise. Must provide positive leadership for company management team and will drive continual improvement objectives through the Rail Division. Direct daily management to include : all timely Receipts and Releases of Railcars; all day-to-day Rail Operations; maintaining customer and company inventories; site forecast scheduling; overseeing company Rail Authorization numbers (i.e., permits for customers to ship cars); scheduling and coordinating departmental maintenance actions; departmental employee development, counseling, discipline, and training; and record keeping and communication of issues with Executive Team. The VP of Rail Operations will be supported by an AVP of Rail Operations for monitoring and managing all departmental operations. The VP of Rail Operations will be responsible for all financial, compliance, and standardization (Safety, Quality, HR, Training, and IT) for the Rail Department.

Preside over all Rail Terminal operations for the company, across all Rail and Warehouse track locations. Responsible for all Rail Terminals to include profitability by site. Responsible for the leadership and development of all Rail Terminal employees. Custodian of all Rail Contracts (RC), including Rail Leases and Customer Agreements. Oversee all Rail Invoicing to include all reimbursement of Constructive Placements (CP) and Rail Demurrage fees. Ensure systems, procedures, and people are in place to control RC inventories. Goal of 100% accuracy. Ensure daily physical railcar inventory matches book inventory at all times. Communicate CP fees internally with Executive Team and negotiate settlement of all CP charges with the railroad to minimize expenses for the company. Advance departmental systems through technology improvements. Ensure Railcar Pipeline is reported and monitored for managing capacity and forecast problem sites. Work with Sales Team to set Railcar Allotments by customer / by site. Ensure RAN system and forecasting tools are being used to maximize terminal utilization, while not incurring CP charges. Work with Executive Team to support strategic Rail initiatives and new business development. Work with Sales Team to identify new Rail Terminal markets and opportunities. Work with Sales Team to improve low performing sites. Ensure sites are adhering to MOP budgets and reporting on deviations greater than 5% of target. Ensure cost control measures are in place for all sites. Develop company policies and procedures for the rail division. Work with Executive Team to prepare budgets. Analyze financial reports and identify ways to maximize revenue. Measure and report monthly MOP results to Executive Team and Trucking Management staff. Prepare and report Quarterly Scorecards to Executive Team and Management Staff. Report and share information with the Executive Team to ensure they are kept fully informed on the condition of the organization and important factors influencing it. Identify and lead new business opportunities. Generate productive relationships and partnerships for the benefit of the organization. Work with industry leaders, executive directors, government officials, and senior staff / board members. Participate in and nurture broad networks of alliances with others to exchange knowledge and information about learning and change in support of change initiatives. Communicate all safety issues and incidents to the Executive Team and Safety Department. Ensure safety policies and procedures are being followed by all Rail Divisional staff.

Bachelor's degree in Business, Economics, Logistics, Transportation, or related field; or, in lieu of a degree, a minimum of 20 years of progressively greater responsible experience, including at least 10 years in management roles within a relevant field / industry. Applicants qualifying under this provision must demonstrate a sustained record of leadership, operational accountability, and industry-specific expertise. Proven experience in railroad partnerships, economic development, logistics, or infrastructure development. Quantifiable and strong understanding of Class I and short line railroad operations, track lease structures, and commercial agreements. Bachelor's (or higher) Degree in Business, Economics, Logistics, Transportation, or related field. 20+ years of Rail Management experience.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. These tasks include, but are not limited to : While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The job may require long periods of standing while teaching a class. Must be able to perform physical labor such as, routinely lifting up to 55 lbs., moving up to 250 lbs., climbing ladders, operate control panels and working with hand tools. Must possess vision abilities to include close visual confirmation of finely printed documents, have distance vision to safely and correctly identify objects and or markings. Must have peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus on subjects or objects at any safe working distance.

Ability to recognize onsite risk factors and take appropriate action with firmness and tact. Ability to think independently and make decisions that are in the company's best interest. Highly proficient in a Windows environment, especially using and building Excel spreadsheets for business analysis. Dynamic interpersonal, communications and organizational skills. Strong analytical abilities for business and budgetary planning, forecasting, inventory management, product scheduling, and product balancing. Must be multi-task oriented with the ability to handle many activities simultaneously. Must be able to work long hours, weekends and available for travel on the company's behalf. Excellent relationship-building, communication, and negotiation skills with both private and public stakeholders. Strategic thinker with the ability to execute complex projects involving multiple partners.

This position is directly responsible for the entire Rail Department. Number of direct reports will vary. This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and printers / scanners. Will also routinely be required to operate in warehouses, trucking terminals, and rail yards. This is a full-time position. Routine days of work are Monday through Friday, but may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays, as required. Approximately 25%-50% annually is expected of this position. Family health benefit packages - after 90 days. Vacation pay - after 90 days. Holiday pay - after 90 days. Company matching 401k retirement program - after 90 days.