Shift Manager Railroad Operations

Location: Cleveland, OH

Cleveland-Cliffs has an immediate opportunity for a Shift Manager Railroad Operations in the Railroad Department at the Cleveland Works facility. This front-line leadership position is responsible for directing and coordinating the day-to-day railroad transportation activities to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient movement of materials and products throughout the facility and with external rail carriers.

The successful candidate will lead railroad operating personnel, oversee train and switching operations, ensure compliance with railroad operating rules and FRA regulations, drive continuous improvement initiatives, and partner with Maintenance, Production, and other departments to maximize service performance.

Summary of Responsibilities:

• Provide direct supervision, leadership, coaching, and development of locomotive engineers, conductors, and other assigned railroad employees.
• Direct and coordinate plant railroad transportation activities, including train movements, switching operations, railcar placement, and customer service requirements.
• Coordinate railroad activities with Production, Maintenance, Engineering, Shipping, external carriers, contractors, union leadership, and other plant departments to ensure safe and efficient service coverage and support business objectives.
• Ensure safe, efficient, and compliant railroad operations in accordance with company policies, railroad operating rules, collective bargaining agreements, and applicable FRA regulations.
• Manage crew scheduling, staffing requirements, vacancy coverage, and workforce utilization to meet operational demands.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with represented employees and union leadership.
• Administer railroad compliance programs, including locomotive engineer certification, operating rules training, safety audits, hazardous materials requirements, and drug and alcohol testing.
• Investigate incidents, injuries, derailments, rule violations, service failures, and near misses; conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
• Monitor railroad performance metrics and drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, productivity, service reliability, and cost reduction.
• Support emergency response activities, rerailing operations, and off-shift operational issues as needed.
• Weekend, holiday, and shift work may be required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• HS Diploma, GED or equivalent from an accredited school.
• Two (2) years of experience in railroad operations, transportation, logistics, military, or heavy industrial operations.
• Demonstrated leadership experience and ability to effectively direct and coordinate employee activities.
• Demonstrated knowledge of railroad operations, switching practices, transportation planning, and safety procedures.
• Must be able to work in an industrial environment, including climbing stairs and ladders, walking long distances, working on uneven surfaces, and performing duties outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's Degree in Transportation, Logistics, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field.
• Five (5) years of experience in a railroad, steel, transportation, logistics, or heavy industrial environment.
• Supervisory or leadership experience in a railroad, transportation, logistics, military, or heavy industrial environment.
• Experience as a Locomotive Engineer, Conductor, Yardmaster, Trainmaster, or Designated Supervisor of Locomotive Engineers (DSLE).
• Familiarity with FRA regulations, railroad operating rules, and locomotive engineer certification requirements.
• Experience working with a unionized workforce, common carrier railroad, and/or industrial railroad environment.

Relocation assistance is not provided for this position.

The salary range for this role is $70,000 to $110,000.  An employee’s pay within the salary range will be based on numerous factors, including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, experience, skills, geographic location, and business or organizational needs. 

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. is the largest flat-rolled steel company and the largest iron ore pellet producer in North America. The Company is vertically integrated from mined raw materials, direct reduced iron, and ferrous scrap to primary steelmaking and downstream finishing, stamping, tooling, and tubing. We offer an excellent total compensation package including top pay with variable compensation opportunity, health insurance, retirement plan, education assistance, paid time off and more!

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to careers@clevelandcliffs.com or call 1-(312) 899-3097 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Do not email your application materials to this email address. Application materials sent to this email address will not be considered.

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. is an equal opportunity employer – M/F/Veteran/Disability. We are a drug-free workplace and conduct pre-employment screening as a condition of employment.