Railcar Repair Operations Manager

Succession Planning for Railroads Investing in the Next Generation • Yakima, WA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Responsible for the entire cycle of operations, the quality of production, and the supervision and safety of all crew members at each worksite assigned to you. This role involves ensuring quality repairs are made on a timely basis, effective communication with customers and stakeholders, and a proactive approach to safety. The manager will oversee teams, ensure proper PPE utilization, identify risks, and maintain documentation for quality and training. They will also be responsible for managing direct reports, establishing work schedules and expectations, coordinating with railroad leadership, overseeing safety compliance, and participating in railcar repairs as needed. Additional duties include purchasing supplies within budget, reviewing billing, creating customer estimates, interviewing and hiring, coaching, disciplining, conducting performance appraisals, and job-related training. Marginal functions include maintaining a clean work environment, overseeing vehicle maintenance, and performing other assigned duties.

Requirements

• Experience in the railcar repair industry
• Supervisory experience in a machine shop or manufacturing setting
• Undergraduate degree, technical school degree or equivalent experience
• Basic competency with Word, Excel, Outlook
• Must have a valid driver’s license
• A Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) will be conducted as part of the hiring process
• Must be able to pass a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical
• Must be able to complete physical requirements with or without accommodation: Standing, hearing, seeing and talking for 8 to 10 hours; Handling for 3 to 6 hours; Walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching with hands and arms, stretching, using fingers to feel for 3 to 6 hours; Reaching below the waist, twisting and feeling for up to 2 hours; Climbing or balancing up to 3 hours; Sitting up to 3 hours.
• Must be able to lift car parts from 1-80 lbs. throughout the day - lifting 10-25 lbs. frequently; 25-50 lbs. regularly; over 50 lbs. occasionally.
• Must be able to use wrenches weighing up to 10 lbs. to tighten bolts occasionally - 4 hours.
• Must be able to pull 10-25 lbs. frequently; 25-50 lbs. regularly; over 50 lbs. occasionally.
• Must be able to work in outdoor weather conditions; non-weather related hot or cold conditions in small spaces; areas with fumes and airborne particles; worksites with mechanical vibrations, and loud, noisy machines and tools.
• Must use proper PPE and safety procedures.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of the Industry
• Leadership
• Fostering Teamwork
• Customer-Focused
• Quality-Focused
• Safety-Focused
• Priority-Setting
• Analytical Skills
• Anticipation of Problems
• Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving

Responsibilities

• Manage 2-20+ direct reports.
• Establish, prioritize and assign work schedules, work assignments, and performance expectations.
• Hold team accountable to achieve desired results.
• Interact directly with railroad leadership to coordinate railcar locations and work activities of the crew.
• Oversee day-to-day compliance with safety procedures.
• Directly participate in completing railcar repairs as needed.
• Purchase supplies, tools and safety equipment within budgetary guidelines.
• Review billing cards turned in by railcar mechanics and submit bills to central office using computer system and Railcar Rx system.
• Create estimates for customers.
• Interview, hire, coach, and discipline employees with the support of management.
• Conduct performance appraisals and job-related training throughout the year.
• Respond to FRA and AAR audits in a proper manner.
• Maintain a clean work environment (shop, administrative space, company vehicles).
• Oversee maintenance of company vehicles monthly.
• Perform all other duties as assigned by management.

Benefits

• We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Associate degree