Rail Logistics Specialist

Nouryon•Houston, TX

About The Position

The Rail Logistics Specialist is responsible for end-to-end execution and monitoring of rail transportation activities. The role provides rail logistics expertise to Nouryon sites and works cross-functionally to ensure shipments are completed safely, efficiently, on time, and at optimal cost while supporting customer requirements, plant operations, inventory needs, and service expectations. The specialist coordinates daily rail transportation activities with plants, Customer Service, Planning, railroads, and logistics providers. The role monitors shipments, railcar inventory, equipment availability, transportation exceptions, performance indicators, and operational constraints; investigates issues and coordinates corrective actions; and supports railcar fleet utilization, forecasts, and capacity requirements. It also maintains accurate transportation data and documentation in logistics and ERP systems, escalates significant issues to the Rail Logistics Team Lead and relevant stakeholders, and supports standardization, automation, and continuous improvement. The specialist is expected to demonstrate Nouryon values and Code of Conduct expectations.

Requirements

3 to 8 years of experience in logistics, transportation, supply chain, customer service, or related operations.
Experience managing transportation activities and resolving operational issues.
Experience with process improvement, cost reduction, and service improvement initiatives.
Strong knowledge of rail transportation and logistics operations.
Ability to independently manage day-to-day transportation activities while recognizing when escalation is necessary.
Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to troubleshoot transportation, process, and system-related issues and develop effective solutions.
Ability to interpret operational data, identify trends, and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced operational environment.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including communicating effectively with multiple organizational levels and functions, global teams, carriers, and third-party service providers.
Ability to develop, monitor, and support operational goals and KPIs.
Ability to make sound decisions using available data while establishing a clear path forward.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy.
Self-directed, proactive, and able to work effectively with minimal supervision.
Ability to collaborate cross-functionally and influence outcomes without direct authority.
Ability to identify and implement opportunities for automation, standardization, and process improvement.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Operations, or a related field from an accredited college or university; relevant professional experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
Rail transportation or chemical industry experience.
Knowledge of North American rail transportation processes and requirements.
Experience working with railroads, railcar lessors, storage facilities, or other rail service providers.
Working knowledge of SAP, IntelliTrans, Railinc, railroad systems, TMS, Excel, and Microsoft 365.
Experience with Power BI, data analytics, or similar reporting tools.
Experience with AI platforms, automation tools, or participation in AI/digital transformation projects.

Responsibilities

Plan, execute, monitor, and manage end-to-end rail transportation activities in compliance with established processes, Nouryon policies and procedures, and applicable transportation requirements.
Ensure timely and accurate rail shipment execution to support customer requirements, plant operations, inventory needs, and service expectations.
Use SAP, IntelliTrans, Railinc, railroad systems, and other logistics technologies to monitor rail shipments and railcar activity, identify exceptions, and take corrective action.
Proactively identify and resolve transportation disruptions, shipment exceptions, system issues, and operational constraints that could affect customer service or plant operations.
Monitor railcar movements, availability, cycle times, dwell, fleet utilization, and other transportation activities to identify risks and improvement opportunities.
Balance logistics activities across cost, operational efficiency, reliability, and customer service.
Support effective railcar fleet utilization by identifying equipment needs, transportation constraints, excess capacity, and opportunities to improve railcar productivity.
Maintain accurate transportation data and documentation in applicable logistics and ERP systems.
Escalate significant transportation, carrier, system, or service issues to the Rail Logistics Team Lead and appropriate stakeholders when necessary.
Coordinate daily rail transportation activities with plants, Customer Service, Planning, railroads, and logistics providers.
Monitor rail shipments, railcar inventory, equipment availability, and transportation exceptions.
Analyze KPIs and operational performance to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
Support transportation forecasts and railcar capacity requirements.
Investigate issues, identify root causes, and coordinate corrective actions.
Maintain relationships with internal stakeholders, railroads, railcar lessors, storage providers, and other logistics partners.
Provide proactive updates on performance, risks, issues, and improvement initiatives to the Rail Logistics Team Lead.
Support standardization, automation, and continuous improvement of logistics processes.
Demonstrate Nouryon values and Code of Conduct expectations.