Railcar Operations Business Analyst (Finance, Audits, & Invoicing)

Southern Company•Birmingham, AL

16h•Onsite

About The Position

Railcar Operations Business Analyst (Finance, Audits, & Invoicing) SCS Coal Services Department WORK LOCATION Position will be based at the Energy Center in Birmingham, Alabama. Relocation assistance may be available if you do not already live within a reasonable commute distance. TRAVEL EXPECTATIONS Travel up to 10–20% annually, primarily office‑based; includes occasional site visits to railcar storage locations, maintenance shops, and generating plants. Limited after-hours availability may be required during operational disruptions or routing issues. POSITION SUMMARY The business analyst is responsible for partnering with operations team members on daily fleet utilization - coordinating car movements into and out of storage, directing cars between maintenance facilities and operational locations - and helps monitor / track empty and straggler cars to maintain accurate system‑wide visibility. The role also manages all invoicing and financial activities associated with railcar operations, including maintenance, leasing, storage, empty car movements, and miscellaneous railcar‑related charges. Additionally, this position leads recurring annual projects such as conducting railcar audits to confirm locations and return off‑route cars, maintaining detailed tracking records for internal/external audits, performing material cost audits for maintenance shops, and compiling railcar mileage for ad valorem tax filings. This position may be filled at Level 4, 5, or 6 depending on candidate experience and qualifications.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required.
Minimum 2 years of experience in finance, transportation, rail operations, railcar management, or related fields.
Experience with invoicing, financial review, or cost tracking strongly preferred.
Strong analytical skills with high attention to detail.
Effective written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and collaborate with internal and external teams.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, supply chain, or other business - related field preferred. Equivalent work experience considered.
Familiarity with railcar maintenance programs, storage operations, or equipment routing would be a plus.
Experience coordinating with railroads, maintenance shops, or logistics partners is beneficial.
Proficiency with data analysis tools, invoice review systems, or railcar management software.
Strong organizational and documentation skills for audit and regulatory reporting.

Responsibilities

Railcar Utilization & Movement Coordination: Coordinate railcar movements to and from storage locations with storage program manager.
Direct the routing of cars from maintenance facilities back to operational service locations.
Track empty cars, stragglers, and misrouted equipment to ensure timely repositioning and accurate visibility.
Maintain reliable data on fleet status to support system forecasting and operational planning.
Annual Reporting & Audit Support: Compile and verify annual railcar mileage for ad valorem tax reporting.
Maintain comprehensive documentation for internal, external, and regulatory audits.
Conduct annual material cost audits for maintenance shops and support corrective action processes.
Conduct annual railcar audits to confirm locations and return off‑route cars.
Invoicing & Financial Oversight: Manage all railcar-related invoicing, including maintenance, leasing, storage, and miscellaneous charges.
Validate invoice accuracy, resolve discrepancies, and coordinate with internal and external teams.
Maintain thorough cost documentation for annual audits and internal review processes.