Start a Watco Career and Discover the Difference

Keep the world’s supply chain moving. That’s what the Watco team does every day at our short line railroads, switching sites, terminals, ports, and logistics hubs. 

Whether you’re at one of these locations or in a support-services role, there’s one thread that ties everyone together. We’re all on the same team. One Watco. 

Here’s what you can expect from Watco: 

• Award-winning culture recognized by Forbes and Newsweek
• Competitive compensation and benefits
• Leadership and development programs offered through Watco University 
• Career advancement opportunities

The Operations Coordinator at Watco Logistics is responsible for the delivery and development of projects of various sizes and complexities.  The role is critical to direct, organize, and control project activities in collaboration with the project team.  The Operations Coordinator must develop a detailed project plan to monitor and track progress, manage changes, while ensuring a high level of accountability for project budgets and finality. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Define and clarify each project scope with a detailed plan to monitor and track progress
• Manage changes to the project scope and project costs using appropriate company policy
• Measure project performance and effectiveness using appropriate tools and techniques
• Ensure transportation assets have been ordered and schedule per plan in place
• Review the operational budget for each project with other necessary internal teams  
• Responsible for creating and managing Bill of Ladings and Proof of Delivery for cargo
• Communicate with Ports, Vessel Lines, Stevedores to ensure proper pre-planning of needs       
• Complete Purchase Requisitions when a Purchase Order is needed from Accounting
• Assist with vendor scheduling for site visits, route surveys, and other vendor needs
• Resolve billed invoice discrepancies in a timely and professional manner
• Ensure account setups are correct for all new customers and vendors 
• Review and confirm truck routes
• Track and trace all empty and loaded rail cars
• Communicate with railroads to schedule origin pull
• Assist in getting rail side agreements and approvals
• Review the proposed rail route to ensure cost effective routes are being utilized
• Work with Engineer to ensure rail clearance is filed timely in relation to project start date
• Handle rail freight cost negotiations and ensure all rates are up to date and effective
• Expedite railcars where needed and communicate with railcar owner and appropriate railroads 
• Make necessary adjustments to railcar load dates to avoid detention and/or demurrage
• Call and coordinate stevedores/terminals to arrange to have railcar spotted
• Communicate with Project Lead once railcar is ready to waybill
• Assist with organizing railroad inspections by providing daily internal reports of railcar status
• Release railcars empty with approval from Project Lead
• Ensure that project status, issues and successes are communicated to project team, customer and management and documented appropriately

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty. The attributes listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required:

• Transportation experience preferred
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, PC Miler, Google Maps and Google Earth
• Ability to work with others and be a positive influence on co-workers
• Apply knowledge of organization, communication, conflict resolution, and time management skills
• Effective customer service skills and the ability to service both internal and external customers 
• Two-years project experience and/or high level of customer service experience
• Ability to be a self-start with multi-tasking capabilities  
• Convey goals and objectives clearly and in compelling manner; listen effectively and clarify information 
• Demonstrates superior inter-personal skills and negotiating skills
• Travel may be necessary during project development, customer visits, and tradeshows

Education

• High School Education or a GED is required