Coordinate day-to-day rail operations and weekly/annual rail plans to ensure efficient reliable shipment flow. Manage execution tracking exception resolution stakeholder communications railcar utilization cost control invoice audits and performance reviews using SAP/S4 TMS Power BI and Excel while driving continuous improvement.

Position Title: Rail Operations Planner
Position Type: Regular - Full-Time
Grade: Grade 04
Requisition ID: 42651
In every role McCainers are ambitious curious and passionate about creating exceptional work experiences - together. With a customer-first mindset we make doing business with McCain easy.
About the role.
The Rail Operations Planner plays a critical role in supporting the execution performance and continuous improvement of McCain's North American rail transportation network. This position is responsible for coordinating day-to-day rail operations ensuring shipments move efficiently and reliably while supporting McCain's broader rail growth strategy. The role requires strong analytical thinking cross-functional collaboration and a focus on operational excellence in a fast-paced supply chain environment.
What you'll be doing.

• Support the development and execution of the annual rail operating plan in collaboration with Transportation Deployment Supply Planning and other stakeholders.
• Create and maintain weekly rail plans aligned with inventory needs service requirements railcar availability and network constraints.
• Coordinate daily rail shipment execution including shipment setup load release tracking communication and delivery follow-up.
• Partner with railroads railcar lessors warehouses and internal teams to ensure timely movement of empty and loaded railcars.
• Monitor active shipments and proactively manage exceptions such as delays dwell issues missed milestones and service risks.
• Collaborate with origin and destination facilities to ensure proper rail procedures and maximize railcar utilization.
• Provide shipment visibility status updates and risk identification to Customer Solutions Deployment and Supply Chain teams.
• Support cost management efforts through improved railcar utilization dwell reduction invoice accuracy and cost avoidance initiatives.
• Assist Accounts Payable with freight audit processes ensuring accurate processing of rail invoices and accessorial charges.
• Lead or support weekly and monthly rail performance reviews identifying improvement opportunities across service cost and operations.
• Utilize systems and reporting tools (SAP/S4 TMS Power BI Excel) to track performance and identify trends or gaps.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance reliability visibility scalability and efficiency across the rail network.

What you'll need to be successful.

• Minimum 3+ years of experience in Logistics Transportation Supply Chain Rail Operations or a related field.
• Experience in rail shipping private fleet management rail operations intermodal transportation or similar areas.
• University degree in Business Supply Chain Logistics Operations or equivalent experience.
• Strong understanding of transportation execution shipment tracking and exception management.
• Experience in CPG food manufacturing or temperature-controlled supply chains is preferred.
• Advanced analytical skills with the ability to identify trends risks and actionable solutions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and familiarity with SAP/S4 TMS platforms or Power BI.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to manage competing priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate across all levels of the organization.
• High attention to detail data accuracy and follow-through.
• Self-motivated proactive and comfortable working independently.
• Team-oriented mindset with a strong sense of ownership and continuous improvement focus.

About the team.
The Rail Operations Planner is part of McCain's North American Transportation or Supply Chain team working cross-functionally with Deployment Customer Solutions warehouses Procurement and external partners such as railroads and railcar lessors. This collaborative environment supports end-to-end rail execution and plays a key role in advancing McCain's rail growth strategy and operational performance.
About McCain.
Click Here to learn more about McCain and how we provide opportunities to make an impact that matters.
Leadership principles.
At McCain our leadership principles guide how we engage with customers collaborate as a team and achieve success. We focus on understanding customer needs driving innovation empowering people and taking ownership to clear obstacles and deliver results.
The McCain experience.
We are McCain. This statement is a testament to our collective strength and our individual value. Your contributions play a vital role in our success. Our winning culture is rooted in authenticity and trust empowering us to bring out the best in one another. Here you'll find opportunities to learn grow and thrive. Join us and experience why we're better together.
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Compensation Package : $58800.00 - $78500.00 . USD annually + Bonus eligibility
The above reflects the target compensation range for the position at the time of posting. Hiring compensation will be determined based on experience skill set education and training and other organizational needs. This posting is for an existing vacancy.
Benefits: At McCain we're on a mission to create a winning culture that puts employee safety and well-being at the heart of what we do every day. We understand and appreciate that each person's needs are unique and ensure our benefits & well-being programs reflect that. Employees are eligible for the following benefits: health coverage (medical dental vision prescription drug) retirement savings benefits and leave support including medical family and bereavement. Well-being programs include vacation and holidays company-supported volunteering time and mental health resources. Coverages are aligned with applicable law and can vary by work level location and nature of the role. Additional benefit detail available during the application process.
Your well-being matters to us and we're here to provide you with the necessary resources to support you in being your best self at work - and at home.
McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. As a global family-owned company we strive to be the employer of choice in the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that inclusion drives our creativity resilience and success and makes our business stronger. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race religion color national origin sex age veteran status disability or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms) please let us know and we will work with you to find appropriate solutions.
Your privacy is important to us. By submitting personal data or information to us you agree this will be handled in accordance with McCain's Global Privacy Policy and Global Employee Privacy Policy as applicable. McCain leverages AI in the hiring process though all final decisions are made by humans. You can understand our approach to AI and how your personal information is being handled here .
Job Family: Supply Chain & Logistics
Location(s): US - United States of America : Illinois : Oakbrook Terrace
Company: McCain Foods USA Inc.