Senior Rail Logistics Specialist
Inver Grove Heights, MN, US, 55077-1721
CHS Inc. is a leading global agribusiness owned by farmers, ranchers and cooperatives across the United States that provides grain, food and energy resources to businesses and consumers around the world. We serve agriculture customers and consumers across the United States and around the world. Most of our employees are in the United States, but today we have employees in 19 countries. At CHS, we are creating connections to empower agriculture.
Summary
CHS has an exciting opportunity on our Enterprise Rail Transportation team for a Senior Logistics Specialist supporting the Energy business. This role will support a range of rail logistics activity across Energy, including LPG products, Refined Fuels and Residual products, and will serve as a key connection among trading, account management, terminal operations, finance, railroads and other supply partners to keep product and railcars moving safely, efficiently and reliably.
The successful candidate will combine hands-on rail operations knowledge with strong communication, analysis and problem-solving skills. Success requires proactive ownership of daily execution, seasonal fleet planning, service recovery, cost control and continuous improvement in a fast-paced operating environment.
This is a hybrid position based at our Inver Grove Heights, MN corporate office. The successful candidate will be required to work on-site at least three days per week. Relocation assistance is not available, and remote applicants will not be considered.
Responsibilities
- Own day-to-day rail logistics execution across Energy movements, coordinating with trading, account management, terminal operations, supply partners and rail carriers to align inventory, shipment timing and customer needs.
- Monitor loaded and empty railcar movement, terminal placement and switching activity; identify service risks early and lead escalations through resolution.
- Plan and optimize the railcar fleet, including seasonal capacity needs, long-term leased equipment, short-term subleases, storage and repositioning decisions.
- Coordinate railcar dispositions, off-lease and on-lease activity, and new equipment placement with counterparties, terminals and internal rail asset management partners.
- Support rate, route and lane analysis in partnership with transportation procurement and commercial teams; help ensure accurate, executable rail movement plans.
- Manage demurrage exposure by monitoring accruing charges, validating activity, coordinating operational mitigation and supporting invoice disputes and resolution.
- Provide timely month-end visibility for outstanding rail costs, accruals and unresolved billing items in partnership with finance and accounting
- Maintain accurate operational data in rail technology platforms and use Excel and Power BI reporting to improve fleet visibility, service performance and business decision-making.
- Develop and track meaningful rail KPIs, identify recurring service or cost drivers, and recommend process improvements based on data and root-cause analysis
- Build strong working relationships with railroad operating teams, terminals, supply partners and internal business stakeholders; communicate changes, risks and impacts clearly.
- Document standard work and cross-train teammates to strengthen coverage, continuity and shared ownership across the rail logistics team.
- Support rail technology enhancements, system transitions and other cross-functional projects as business needs evolve.
- Maintain and promote a strong safety culture. Follow all safety policies, procedures and regulations; identify and communicate workplace hazards and seek correction of unsafe conditions.
Minimum Qualifications (required)
- High School diploma or GED
- 4+ years of experience in Supply Chain and Procurement and/or Transportation and Logistics
Additional Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Transportation, Supply Chain, Business, Finance or a related field.
- Experience in rail transportation operations, energy logistics, LPG products or bulk product handling.
- Experience managing private or leased railcar fleets, including seasonal capacity planning, railcar subleases, storage and repositioning decisions.
- Knowledge of rail demurrage, tariffs, rates, shipment documentation, terminal operations and service escalation processes.
- Experience with SAP, Power BI, Kaleris or comparable transportation and rail technology platforms.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, solve operational problems, and communicate effectively with internal and external partners.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, including Excel, Outlook and Teams.
- Strong analytical, organizational, relationship-building and written/verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrated continuous-improvement mindset with the ability to translate operational data into clear recommendations.
- Pre-employment screening is based on the job requirements and industry guidelines and may or may not be required for the position. If required, selected candidates must pass pre-employment screenings to include all or a combination of drug, criminal, motor vehicle check, physical requirements and FMSCA Clearinghouse.
CHS offers a competitive total rewards package. Compensation includes base wage and, depending upon position, may include other earnings such as bonus, incentives and commissions. Actual pay offered will vary based on multiple factors which may include, without limitation, experience, education, training, specialized skills and certifications, minimum wage/salary requirements under local law.
Benefits include medical, dental, vision, wellness programs, life insurance, health and dependent care spending accounts, paid time off, 401(k), pension, profit sharing, short- and long-term disability, tuition reimbursement and adoption assistance, subject to the eligibility requirements for each benefit plan.
CHS is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disability.
Please note that any communication from a CHS recruiter would be sent using a chsinc.com email address. In addition, a CHS recruiter will not ask for confidential information over the phone or in an email, or request money from a candidate involved in an offer process. If you have questions regarding an employment opportunity, please reach out to chscareers@chsinc.com; to verify that the communication is from CHS.