Analyst, Rail Strategy & Planning

Salary Range: $50,000.00 to $65,000.00

Location

Naperville, IL; This position will follow a hybrid work-from-home/office model with at least three days in the office week.

Role Summary

This critical role within our Rail Strategy & Planning team drives strategic initiatives and operational excellence across our North American rail vendor relationships. As a Rail Strategy & Planning Analyst, you will maintain rail contract rates and surcharges in OPUS, assist in managing rail vendor contracts, and conduct Inland Operations cost analyses. You will collaborate cross-functionally with Marketing, Marine and Inland Procurement, Strategic Yield Management, and North America Operations to evaluate routing and rate proposals, analyze commodity approval requests, report financial performance, and ensure contractual compliance with ONE rail vendors. This position offers an exciting opportunity to shape our rail strategy and contribute to the growth of our Inland Procurement team.

Additional Responsibilities

• Financial Analysis & Cost Control: Conduct in-depth financial analysis of rail costs and track cost savings programs. Identify opportunities for cost optimization and efficiency improvements.

• Proposal Evaluation & Process Improvement: Evaluate proposals from Marketing and Inland Operations regarding inland rail routings, balancing cost, service level, and operational feasibility. Champion process improvements and automation to enhance operational efficiency.

• Performance Reporting & Data Analysis: Generate insightful reports and dashboards on key performance indicators (KPIs) and internal benchmarks. Utilize data from the enterprise data warehouse and operational systems to conduct thorough analyses and identify trends.

• Contract Management & Compliance: Assist in managing rail vendor contracts, ensuring compliance with service-level agreements (SLAs) and pricing terms. Monitor contractual obligations, address discrepancies or exceptions, and maintain accurate records of service rates in internal systems.

• Vendor Relationship Management: Develop and maintain strong relationships with rail vendors to foster open communication and collaborative partnerships. Monitor rail market trends and industry developments to inform strategic decisions.

• Service Quality Management: Monitor and report on rail service quality, proactively addressing performance concerns with vendors. Collaborate with internal teams and vendors to resolve service disruptions and improve overall reliability.

Core Required Skills and Competencies

• Analytical & Financial: Strong analytical and financial acumen, with experience in cost analysis, budgeting, and performance tracking.

• Technical Proficiency: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Google Workspace (G Suite). Experience with enterprise data warehouses, BI tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau), or process automation (e.g., Power Automate, VBA, Python) is a plus.

Function Specific Skills

• Communication & Collaboration: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across cross-functional teams and engage stakeholders at all levels.

• Problem-Solving & Decision-Making: Proven ability to analyze complex data, evaluate operational tradeoffs, and make data-driven decisions in a fast-paced environment.

• Project Management: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and projects concurrently.

• Industry Knowledge: Familiarity with North American rail freight, intermodal transport, and carrier operations preferred.

Required Minimum Years Experience

2+ years of experience in rail, intermodal operations, or ocean carrier logistics preferred.

Required Minimum Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Finance, Business Administration, or equivalent practical experience preferred.

Ocean Network Express provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

At Ocean Network Express, we strive toward high-level results for all our employees and pride ourselves on identifying opportunities for internal movement and advancement of proven talent. If you’re interested in a career in the global transportation industry and are looking for growth and advancement opportunities, we encourage you to apply. We enjoy meeting candidates who are persistent in their own professional development.

ONE NA follows a hybrid work schedule requiring employees to work 3 days in the office (i.e. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) and 2 days remote each week.

Salary commensurate with experience means your pay will be directly proportional to your background, skills, and qualifications.

What we offer:

• Opportunities available with hybrid working arrangements

• Total rewards package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, 401K plan

About Ocean Network Express (ONE)

Ocean Network Express (ONE) was incepted on July 7, 2017, following the liner service integrations of Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (“K” LINE), Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK). The new entity functions from its global headquarters in Singapore, supported by regional headquarters in Hong Kong, Singapore, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Brazil. ONE is the world’s sixth-largest container carrier with a fleet size of approximately 1.91 million TEU. Operating more than 240 vessels, it offers an expeditious and reliable international network of over 130 services to 120 countries and beyond. ONE is a member of the Premier Alliance, a global ocean carrier consortium.

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