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 or the same team. One Watco.
Here's what you can expect from Watco:
• Outstanding culture recognized by Forbes and Newsweek
• Competitive compensation and benefits
• Leadership and development programs offered through Watco University
• Career advancement opportunities
Job Summary
The Project Coordinator supports the execution of logistics projects by managing daily operational tasks, tracking costs, and ensuring accurate and timely data entry into the Transportation Management System (TMS). As part of the Project Control team, this role works closely with the Purchase & Contract Analyst, Project Leads, and vendors to support project planning, scheduling, rail operations, and documentation accuracy. The Project Coordinator plays a key role in maintaining project compliance, confirming cost effectiveness, and ensuring smooth coordination between internal teams and external partners.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Define and clarify each project scope with a detailed plan to monitor and track progress
• Measure project performance and effectiveness using appropriate tools and techniques
• Ensures transportation assets have been ordered and schedule per plan in place
• Review 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
• Communicate project costs with the Project Control team for accurate entry into the TMS
• Assist with vendor scheduling for site visits, route surveys, and other vendor needs
• Work closely with the Project Control team to resolve invoice discrepancies efficiently.
• Coordinate with the Project Control team to ensure accurate account setup 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 report 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
• Maintain accurate and timely data entry into the Transportation Management System (TMS)
• Uphold strict cost tracking standards as set by the Project Control team
• Provide proactive communication regarding schedule changes, project risks, or vendor delays
• Follow established policies for documentation, approvals, and project updates
• Maintain a high level of organization to support multiple concurrent projects
• Demonstrate accountability for verifying data accuracy before submission
• Participate in internal project review meetings as required
• Escalate issues promptly to the Purchase & Contract Analyst or Project Lead
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
• Experience working in a Transportation Management System (TMS)
• Certificate of Insurance (COI) processing experience
• 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
• Demonstrates ownership of assigned tasks and follows through to completion
• Uses critical thinking to identify and recommend solutions to potential delays
• Comfortable working in a fast paced, detail driven, and deadline oriented environment
• Strong attention to detail and documentation accuracy
• Ability to interpret transportation quotes, rates, and cost sheets
• Understanding of cost allocation and vendor billing structures
• Ability to prioritize tasks based on project deadlines
• Comfort working in structured processes and controlled workflows
• Travel may be necessary during project development, customer visits, and tradeshows