Manager - Decatur Complex Railyard & Logistics - Decatur, IL

Manager - Decatur Complex Railyard & Logistics - Decatur, IL

Job Description
This role is responsible for overseeing daily railyard activities, including rail switching, car placement, inspections, and yard movements to support safe, efficient plant operations and customer service. The position works closely with production, logistics, maintenance, contractors, and railroad partners to manage railcar flow, resolve operational issues, ensure compliance with safety and regulatory requirements, and drive continuous improvement in service reliability, productivity, and cost performance.

Job Responsibilities:

• Supervise and coordinate daily rail switching, railcar placement, inspections, and yard movement activities to support plant production and customer requirements.
• Communicate daily with ADM production teams, logistics, maintenance, contractors, and railroad partners to ensure safe and efficient rail operations.
• Monitor railcar inventory, yard capacity, dwell time, and service performance to identify and resolve operational issues.
• Ensure accurate documentation, reporting, and communication related to rail movements, incidents, inspections, and operational metrics.
• Support incident investigations, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and follow-up activities to help prevent recurrence.
• Conduct regular field observations and safety audits to reinforce safe work practices and compliance expectations.
• Coordinate with maintenance teams to ensure rail equipment, tracks, switches, and related infrastructure are properly maintained, and issues are addressed in a timely manner.
• Assist with employee and contractor training and development to ensure safe, compliant, and efficient railyard performance.
• Lead pre-shift meetings, safety discussions, and operational updates with employees and contractors.
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce delays, minimize costs, and strengthen service reliability.
• Maintain a strong working knowledge of applicable rail safety rules, site procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Support emergency response activities and participate in drills, planning, and response efforts as needed.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Transportation and Logistics preferred; or High School/GED with 3+ years of relevant experience
• Previous leadership in rail logistics, manufacturing, or industrial operations experience preferred.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to lead teams in a fast-paced, safety-focused industrial environment.
• Demonstrated ability to solve problems, make sound decisions, and respond effectively to changing priorities.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with employees, contractors, internal departments, and external rail partners.
• Proficiency with basic computer systems, Microsoft Office applications, and operational reporting tools.
• Strong Excel skills.
• Ability to understand and apply safety rules, operating procedures, compliance standards, and company policies.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule and respond to operational needs after hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, and extended periods as business needs require.

Key Skills and Competencies:

• Safety leadership and accountability.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Professional decision-making.
• Coaching, mentoring, and performance management.
• Attention to detail and strong follow-through.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a cross-functional team.
• Strong sense of ownership, urgency, and operational discipline.