Manager, Outbound Rail- Finished Vehicle Logistics

Scout Motors•Charlotte, NC

2d•$130,000 - $160,000•Onsite

About The Position

Scout is seeking a strategic and results-driven Manager of Outbound Rail – Finished Vehicle Logistics to lead the development and execution of rail transportation operations for our vehicle production center in Blythewood, South Carolina. This role is critical in establishing the rail logistics infrastructure, including contracts, partnerships, processes, and performance standards to ensure reliable, cost-effective, and compliant vehicle distribution. The ideal candidate will bring a deep understanding of finished vehicle logistics, strong rail carrier management experience, and the ability to build a rail program from the ground up. This includes establishing clear and actionable Statements of Work (SOWs) and building a local field team to oversee daily execution. This role requires cross-functional coordination with internal Scout Motors stakeholders to ensure performance and compliance. Become part of an iconic brand that is set to revolutionize the all-electric pick-up truck & rugged SUV marketplace by achieving the following:

Requirements

7+ years of experience in finished vehicle logistics, rail transportation, or related supply chain management.
Proven track record in establishing and managing rail carrier contracts, SLAs, and SOWs.
Strong knowledge of North American rail networks, Class I railroads, and short line operations.
Experience with TMS systems, yard management systems, and vehicle tracking technologies.
Experience leveraging AI, machine learning, predictive analytics, and automation technologies within vehicle logistics, transportation, or supply chain operations to improve network efficiency, ETA accuracy, capacity utilization, asset productivity, and operational decision-making.
Excellent negotiation, analytical, and financial management skills.
Prior experience launching logistics operations in a greenfield or new plant start-up environment.
Familiarity with railcar fleet management and automotive loading operations
A desire to build from a clean sheet that is supported by a talent for creating process, defining tasks, and building alignment with numerous stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain healthy cross-functional relationships with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders.
Strong analytical mindset and capabilities, augmented by a high degree of technical know-how and savvy with data and analytics tools.
Intuitive ability to navigate organizational complexity and confidently lead strategic, data-driven discussions with management.
Willingness to establish two-way lines of communication with front-line operations to gather market feedback and translate that into actionable insights to sharpen the company’s competitive position.
Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
Valid driver's license required.
Passport required

Responsibilities

Develop and execute the outbound rail strategy for finished vehicle shipments from Scout’s production center, leveraging AI-driven network modeling and predictive analytics to optimize rail utilization, capacity planning, and distribution flows across the country.
Lead the creation of Statements of Work (SOWs), Service Level Agreements (SLAs), and new rail contracts, ensuring alignment with company goals, customer requirements, and industry best practices.
Design and establish rail routes, lane structures, and end-to-end network flows in partnership with Class I and regional railroads, haul-away carriers, and distribution hubs, utilizing advanced analytics and AI-based optimization tools to improve service, cost, and transit performance.
Build and manage the budget for rail logistics operations, including forecasting and cost optimization initiatives.
Negotiate and execute contracts with Class I railroads, short line operators, and other third-party logistics providers (3PLs) and develop strong relationships with these partners.
Monitor and manage fleet of railcars (autoracks) including capacity planning, cycle times, utilization, SLAs, and KPIs.
Partner with IT, Digital, and Data Analytics teams to implement AI-enabled logistics technologies, including predictive ETA engines, track-and-trace visibility platforms, exception management systems, digital twins, and machine learning solutions that improve operational efficiency.
Lead the deployment of AI and automation tools to drive logistics efficiencies, including demand forecasting, load planning, network optimization, empty-mile reduction, carrier performance management, and proactive disruption mitigation.
Develop robust reporting and KPI dashboards to measure rail partner performance, cost per unit shipped, dwell times, damages, and network efficiency.
Provide executive-level reporting on rail logistics performance and strategic initiatives.
Coordinate with Scout internal departments (Logistics, Sales Operations, Quality, IT, etc.) to align requirements and launch readiness.
Act as the subject matter expert for outbound rail within cross-functional leadership teams (production, sales, yard operations, finished vehicle logistics, procurement).
Lead real-time issue resolution and escalation management for rail operations, utilizing predictive monitoring and AI-generated alerts to proactively address service disruptions and capacity constraints before customer impact occurs.
Implement best practices in rail safety, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation.
Regularly report progress, issues, and performance metrics to the Sr. Manager of Finished Vehicle Logistics and other key stakeholders.

Benefits

Competitive insurance including: Medical, dental, vision and income protection plans
401(k) program with: An employer match and immediate vesting
Generous Paid Time Off including: 20 days planned PTO, as accrued
40 hours of unplanned PTO and 14 company or floating holidays, annually
Up to 16 weeks of paid parental leave for biological and adoptive parents of all genders
Paid leave for circumstances related to bereavement, jury duty, voting time, or military leave
Corporate Vehicle Program with: Eligibility for 1 assigned vehicle
A mobility stipend
Pay Transparency
Annual performance bonus program