Railroad Operations Center ManagerJob DescriptionWheeling & Lake Erie Railway is seeking an experienced
Railroad Operations Center Manager to lead centralized railroad operations from our Operations Center in Brewster, Ohio.
The Railroad Operations Center Manager is responsible for leading and coordinating centralized railroad operations across train dispatching, yard operations, crew management, transportation, and related operating functions. This position serves as the operational leader within the Operations Center, ensuring railroad movements are conducted safely, efficiently, and in accordance with operating rules, regulatory requirements, service commitments, and company standards.
The successful candidate will maintain a real-time understanding of network conditions and coordinate resources across departments to support daily operations, service recovery efforts, and changing network demands.
Responsibilities- Provide operational leadership for the Operations Center during assigned shifts.
- Monitor network conditions, train movements, terminal operations, and crew availability.
- Coordinate activities across dispatching, transportation, yard operations, crew management, mechanical, engineering, and other operating functions.
- Establish priorities during periods of congestion, service disruption, or limited resources.
- Ensure effective communication and coordination between the Operations Center and field operations.
- Support train movement planning, service recovery efforts, and network performance.
- Promote compliance with railroad operating rules, federal regulations, company policies, and labor agreements.
- Foster a strong culture of safety, accountability, and operational excellence.
- Manage staffing, workload distribution, and shift coverage.
Qualifications- Significant railroad operating experience in dispatching, yard operations, transportation supervision, crew management, train operations, terminal operations, railroad network operations, or related railroad functions.
- Strong knowledge of railroad operations, operating rules, and safety practices.
- Demonstrated leadership and decision-making abilities.
- Excellent communication, coordination, and organizational skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced operating environment.
- Commitment to safety, regulatory compliance, and customer service.
Preferred Qualifications- Previous Railroad Operations Center or Network Operations Center experience.
- Experience as a Train Dispatcher, Yardmaster, Chief Dispatcher, Transportation Supervisor, Crew Management Supervisor, or similar role.
- Previous management or supervisory experience.
- Experience coordinating multiple operating crafts.
- Experience managing major railroad disruptions or emergency operations.
- Experience working in a centralized command and control environment.
Work EnvironmentThis position operates in a 24/7 railroad Operations Center environment and may require rotating shifts, nights, weekends, holidays, and extended work hours as business needs require.
