Sr. Rail Manager

Job Description

Job Description

COMPANY OVERVIEW

SESCO is a rapidly growing U.S. distributor of cement and construction materials and operates within a diversified international group of companies generating approximately $3 billion in annual revenue. Cement distribution plays a critical role in supporting U.S. infrastructure, commercial development, and manufacturing supply chains. SESCO is actively expanding its distribution network through new terminals, satellite locations, and strategic partnerships while evaluating opportunities for organic growth and acquisitions to strengthen its national footprint. The company operates with a lean leadership structure that provides team members direct exposure to senior decision makers and meaningful involvement in strategic initiatives.

SENIOR RAIL MANAGER

Location:  Houston, TX
Industry:  Rail & Railroad Transportation | Cement | Building Materials | Industrial Logistics

Position Summary

The Senior Rail Manager will lead the development and execution of the company's rail transportation strategy, helping to expand and optimize a growing network of rail-served facilities.

This role is focused on strategy, network development, commercial planning, railroad relationships, logistics, capital projects, and transportation technology rather than day-to-day rail operations. The successful candidate will partner closely with leadership and cross-functional teams to identify opportunities, improve transportation efficiency, and support future growth initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Rail Strategy & Network Development

• Develop and execute rail transportation strategies that support business growth.
• Evaluate rail-served facilities, infrastructure needs, capacity requirements, and future expansion opportunities.
• Support site selection, terminal development, acquisitions, and network growth initiatives.
• Identify transportation, capacity, and infrastructure constraints and recommend solutions.

Commercial & Financial Leadership

• Evaluate rail and logistics investments, business cases, and capital projects.
• Partner with commercial teams to align customer demand, transportation capacity, and network capabilities.
• Assess transportation costs, railroad service impacts, and profitability considerations.

Railroad & Industry Relations

• Build and maintain relationships with Class I railroads, short-line operators, terminal operators, and other logistics partners.
• Serve as the company's subject matter expert on strategic rail matters.
• Support negotiations, service planning, and long-term railroad partnerships.

Logistics & Supply Chain

• Improve coordination across transportation, logistics, commercial, operations, engineering, and finance teams.
• Identify opportunities to enhance efficiency, service reliability, and asset utilization.
• Support development of scalable transportation and supply chain processes.

Technology & Capital Projects

• Participate in the evaluation and implementation of transportation management and logistics systems.
• Provide rail and logistics expertise for terminal expansions, rail infrastructure projects, and capital investments.
• Support planning and development of new rail-served facilities.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in freight rail, transportation, logistics, industrial development, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of railroad operations, commercial structures, infrastructure, and transportation economics.
• Experience supporting rail-served facilities, terminal operations, network development, or logistics initiatives.
• Proven ability to work cross-functionally and influence stakeholders across multiple functions.
• Strong analytical, communication, and business acumen.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and industry experience.
• Periodic travel to company terminals, development sites, railroad partners, and other strategic locations as business needs require.

Preferred Experience

• Class I railroad, short-line, rail terminal, or industrial logistics experience.
• Experience with Union Pacific, BNSF, or other major freight rail carriers.
• Cement, aggregates, mining, bulk commodities, or industrial materials experience.
• Transportation Management Systems (TMS) implementation or evaluation experience.
• Exposure to capital projects, site development, or rail-served facility expansion.  

Sesco Cement is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer providing equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other legally protected basis, including arrest and conviction records, in accordance with applicable law.

Sesco Cement is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and either need assistance applying online or need to request an accommodation during the interview process, please let Human Resources know.