Mission

The Operations Manager organises the operational framework to ensure in real-time a smooth first & last mile service to the (internal/external) customers within Antwerp as part of an overall end to end service (neutral hill excluded).

He/she is responsible for the process compliance with prescribed safety and quality standards related to the administrative part of producing a train, picking up or delivering a wagon. He/she also defines the business requirements to ensure efficient operations.

He/she has an important role as quality coordinator. He owns operational KPI’s such as on time delivery/pick-up (TBS/TBZ), on time departure of trains, lost trains, justification completeness, … He/she defines and carries out actions to improve the performance with respect to these KPI’s.

He/she is the project lead/ member for the new and running projects in the production area.

He/she manages a team of operations coordinators who manage themselves a team of logistics coordinators in Gent & Zeebrugge.

He/she builds a sustainable relationship with local customers and stowers/shippers, local infrastructure managers & PoAB (Zeebrugge) +NSP.

Tasks

The Operations Manager:

• Designs the organisation to ensure the production as planned (long term, short term or real time) on train & wagon-level within the designated production area in order to fulfill the needs & requests of the customers.
• Ensures follow-up of inbound & outbound traffics in collaboration with counterparts of the Network & Resources Department and Local Planning. Takes care of deviation management in line with priority-setting of Revenue Management. Acts pro-actively.
• Sets up a framework to provide feedback to operations coordinators, team leader operators, team leader drivers about the real-time performance of operators & drivers in the field;
• Follow-up of KPI’s : focus on wagon flow management, efficiency and quality. Reports this to the Production Area Manager
• Participates to DQM/Daily Q and escalates (transversal) problems with the different stakeholders (CS, KAM, COC,…) when necessary
• Organises the shift hand-over, and is responsible of communication during frequent white-board meetings;
• Continuously look for local improvement initiatives, according the PDCA cycle with respect to KPI’s such as produced as planned, lost trains, punctuality of trains, throughput time, bundle capacity
• Takes the responsibility to implement strategic project locally with respect to operational steering (fe see MIA, or Changes in CIS,….)
• Structures the coaching and development of the Logistics Coordinators / member of LCOC to become operational excellent (training plan, development plan, well being, …) to execute together with the supervisors fulfillment.
• Is an important face towards the local customers and stowers/shippers, organises operational meetings to discuss mutual performance & operational agreements.
• Manage relationship day-to-day with Infrabel manager at local level (infrastructure, equipment, incident management,…) & PoAB (Zeebrugge) & NSP
• Is together with SACO & Head of the Production Area, the SPOC for SC/SHC in case of incident (safety) within his area.

Profile

• You are able to communicate in Dutch in an efficient and smooth way, and can express yourself in English & French
• You can keep your head cool in stress situations, without affecting the quality of decisions
• You spot problems pro-actively and act accordingly, preventing the problem to become bigger
• You are not afraid to take major operational decisions in real time
• You communicate & act with stakeholders in a positive but assertive way, always avoiding conflict
• You are good with numbers, can make and interpret the necessary reports
• You take decisions, but always with a clear cost- and customer-impact in mind
• You are able to act efficiently and correctly in a continuously changing environment
• You come up with creative ideas to solve difficult problems or deviations
• You have a nose for unsafe situations or risky behaviour, don't accept this & take immediate actions to evolve to a safe situation.
• You have at least 5 years of experience in a logistics or supply chain function, affinity with the railway world is a plus.

At Lineas, diversity is fundamental. We believe that skills and talents are not linked to gender, ethnic origin, age, social background, sexual orientation, philosophical or religious beliefs. Help us to promote an inclusive and positive working environment.

What We offer

• A full-time, indefinite contract with competitive benefits.
• Compensation: 13th-month salary, annual bonus, and a company car or mobility budget. Net allowance.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Hospital insurance, private accident insurance, pension plan, and meal/eco vouchers.
• Work-Life Balance: Flexible working hours and hybrid working
• A generous vacation package (3 days conventional holiday+ 9 ADV days + additional seniority days, already after first year).
• A dynamic, international environment where you can make a tangible impact.

Who We are

We are Lineas, Europe’s largest private rail freight operator. Our mission is to lead the Modal Shift, encouraging businesses to move freight from road to rail for a more sustainable future. Every day, our team—the FREIGHT FORCE—works tirelessly to provide innovative solutions for our clients and make a real difference in mobility and the climate.

Join us in this exciting journey as we continue to grow and transform the industry!