Divisional General Manager

About the Company

Our client is a large, privately held freight rail operator undergoing a company-wide reorganization into newly defined operating divisions. The company is seeking general managers to take full ownership of these new divisions as they stand up under the revised structure.

The Opportunity

The Divisional General Manager will hold full P&L accountability for a newly defined operating division, combining commercial and operational leadership in a single role. This is a rare opportunity to shape a division’s structure, team, and priorities from the earliest days of a major reorganization.

Key Responsibilities

• P&L Ownership: Own the full financial performance of the division, from revenue through operating costs.
• Commercial Strategy: Develop and execute the division’s commercial strategy, including customer retention and growth.
• Operational Execution: Ensure safe, reliable, and efficient rail operations across the division’s properties.
• Team Integration: Lead the integration of teams and properties newly grouped together under the reorganized structure.
• Customer Relationships: Own senior-level relationships with the division’s key shippers and customers.
• Reporting & Forecasting: Deliver regular performance reporting and forecasts to regional and corporate leadership.
• Change Management: Guide teams through the transition into the new divisional structure, addressing uncertainty and building alignment.

Job Requirements

• 10+ years of general management or P&L leadership experience in rail, transportation, or logistics
• Experience managing both commercial and operational functions within a single role
• Demonstrated success leading through reorganization, integration, or change management
• Strong labor relations experience across union and non-union environments
• Track record of building trust quickly with newly assigned teams

Key Attributes

• General Manager Mentality: Thinks and operates like an owner of the business, not a single-function leader
• Commercially Savvy: Balances operational rigor with genuine commercial acumen
• Change Leader: Builds credibility and alignment quickly inside a newly formed structure
• Operationally Rigorous: Insists on safety and service discipline as the foundation of commercial success