Railcar Repair Shop Production Manager

Team Leadership Lead and develop a high-performing team

Promote a culture of safety, teamwork, and continuous improvement

Demonstrate the ability to drive performance through KPIs, effectively measuring success and ensuring continuous improvement across key metrics.

Proactively anticipate and avoid problems. Develop solutions to issues in a timely manner

Ensure regulatory compliance with all FRA and AAR regulations

Customer Satisfaction Understand customers’ requirements and develop tailored solutions to address their needs

Communicate with car owners on schedule and on status of repairs

Seek feedback from customers and implement improvements

Production Management Actively manage all aspects of production (current and future projects) to ensure timely and high-quality repairs to meet customer commitments.

Ensure repair paperwork is complete and accurate

Manage inventory procurement, usage and costs

Maintain relationships with vendors. Monitor & manage vendor performance and costs

Ensure shop is clean and organized

Identify and mitigate potential hazards

Create and manage shift schedules and staffing to maximize production

Identify areas for process improvement, increased production efficiency, and cost-saving initiatives.

Financial Performance Partner with VP of Operations to develop & execute plans to achieve financial objectives

Analyze data and generate reports on key performance indicators (KPIs), including production efficiency, utilization, costs, challenge areas and quality issues

Partner with accounting department to ensure inventory management and railcar billing is completed in a timely manner

Business Development Develop & maintain forward looking schedule of shop production and available production capacity

Collaborate and partner with business development team to grow and diversify the pipeline

Minimum Qualifications In-depth knowledge of the AAR field manual, AAR Office Manual, AAR MSRPs, and Code of Federal Regulations.

Minimum of 10 years of railcar repair experience with at least 5 years in a leadership role.

Strong leadership and strategic thinking with proven decision-making ability in complex production environments.

Leverage data to drive continuous process improvement

Desire to grow the railcar repair business & continually identify solutions for customers

Technical proficiency in Microsoft Excel to manage, analyze and draw insights from data

Experience working in a safety sensitive regulated industry and building productive relationships with regulators.

Must possess a strong working knowledge of Interchange repairs, with the ability to use a variety of tools and equipment including but not limited to pneumatic and hydraulic tools, grinders, jacks, welders, cutting torches, cranes and forklifts

Preferred Qualifications Management experience of full cycle railcar repair

Experience implementing lean six-sigma best practices

Regulatory Knowledge: In-depth knowledge of AAR M-1002, M-1003 Specifications, and Title 49 CFR.

Work Environment This position is will have a daily presence on the production floor to lead the team, provide coaching, ensure adherence to safety rules and repair procedures and also require a daily office presence to perform various planning and coordination activities.

Travel to develop & maintain customer relationships & engage in industry events

Must be willing to work flexible hours, including nights and weekends, as required. Expectation to have regular presence and engagement with second shift team