Rail Operations Planner

''•Oakbrook Terrace, IL

1d•$58,800 - $78,500•Onsite

About The Position

The Rail Operations Planner plays a critical role in supporting the execution, performance, and continuous improvement of McCain’s North American rail transportation network. This position is responsible for coordinating day-to-day rail operations, ensuring shipments move efficiently and reliably while supporting McCain’s broader rail growth strategy. The role requires strong analytical thinking, cross-functional collaboration, and a focus on operational excellence in a fast-paced supply chain environment.

Requirements

Minimum 3+ years of experience in Logistics, Transportation, Supply Chain, Rail Operations, or a related field.
Experience in rail shipping, private fleet management, rail operations, intermodal transportation, or similar areas.
University degree in Business, Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations, or equivalent experience.
Strong understanding of transportation execution, shipment tracking, and exception management.
Advanced analytical skills with the ability to identify trends, risks, and actionable solutions.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and familiarity with SAP/S4, TMS platforms, or Power BI.
Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to manage competing priorities in a dynamic environment.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across all levels of the organization.
High attention to detail, data accuracy, and follow-through.
Self-motivated, proactive, and comfortable working independently.
Team-oriented mindset with a strong sense of ownership and continuous improvement focus.

Nice To Haves

Experience in CPG, food manufacturing, or temperature-controlled supply chains is preferred.

Responsibilities

Support the development and execution of the annual rail operating plan in collaboration with Transportation, Deployment, Supply Planning, and other stakeholders.
Create and maintain weekly rail plans aligned with inventory needs, service requirements, railcar availability, and network constraints.
Coordinate daily rail shipment execution, including shipment setup, load release, tracking, communication, and delivery follow-up.
Partner with railroads, railcar lessors, warehouses, and internal teams to ensure timely movement of empty and loaded railcars.
Monitor active shipments and proactively manage exceptions such as delays, dwell issues, missed milestones, and service risks.
Collaborate with origin and destination facilities to ensure proper rail procedures and maximize railcar utilization.
Provide shipment visibility, status updates, and risk identification to Customer Solutions, Deployment, and Supply Chain teams.
Support cost management efforts through improved railcar utilization, dwell reduction, invoice accuracy, and cost avoidance initiatives.
Assist Accounts Payable with freight audit processes, ensuring accurate processing of rail invoices and accessorial charges.
Lead or support weekly and monthly rail performance reviews, identifying improvement opportunities across service, cost, and operations.
Utilize systems and reporting tools (SAP/S4, TMS, Power BI, Excel) to track performance and identify trends or gaps.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance reliability, visibility, scalability, and efficiency across the rail network.