European Rail Logistics Manager

We are looking for a Manager of European railway logistics for our client, a Ukrainian agro-trading company. The company purchases grain and organizes its export, including via railway routes to Europe.

Currently the client is restructuring logistics routes through Western Ukraine and simultaneously undergoing internal transformation: systematizing processes, developing digital infrastructure, implementing Microsoft 365 and Power BI. Therefore, this is a role where you will build a system, not just maintain already configured processes.

Мета ролі

Build a predictable and managed system of railway transportation via European gauge. Wagons and freight are booked in advance, each train has a confirmed route and schedule, statuses are transparent, and problems and additional costs are resolved before they impact the client.

You will be responsible for the full cycle of transportation: search for wagons and carriers → rates → booking → requests → schedule → train tracking → unloading → closing and cost control.

What you will do

• Search for owners and operators of European gauge wagons, negotiate rates and lease terms, book wagons/trainsets.

• Control the supply of empty wagons, their turnover and return of rolling stock.

• Request and compare railway freight rates, control transit time, minimum guaranteed weight and additional terms.

• Work with European carriers, operators, forwarders, terminals and ports.

• Manage transportation requests from query to closing: Freight request → Offer → Booking → Transport order → Execution → Closing.

• Form and update a unified train schedule with a planning horizon of 4–8 weeks, identify conflicts in wagons, locomotives, slots and terminals in advance.

• Coordinate cargo transfer from Ukrainian to European gauge.

• Daily monitor the status and ETA of active trains, border crossing and handover between carriers.

• Respond to delays, reschedule routes, escalate issues and inform the team and clients.

• Ensure that transport documents (CIM, wagon list, T1 / EUR.1, etc.) are ready on time and do not block train movement.

• Control actual transportation costs and additional expenses (idle time, storno, additional rental days, switching operations), initiate claims against counterparties.

• Develop an alternative base of carriers and wagon owners on key routes.

What is important to us

• Practical experience in international railway transportation in Europe.

• Experience working with European carriers and/or forwarders.

• Understanding of European railway infrastructure and principles of railway freight rate formation.

• Knowledge of CIM and main transport documents.

• Strong planning and coordination skills, ability to manage multiple trains simultaneously.

• Strong negotiation skills.

• Confident command of Excel/Google Sheets.

• English at the level of daily negotiations, correspondence and resolution of operational issues.

It will be an advantage

• Experience in sourcing and engaging rolling stock.

• Experience in transportation of grain or other bulk cargo.

• Understanding of the process of cargo transshipment and transfer at the Ukraine–EU border.

• German, Slovak, Czech, Polish or another European language.

What the client offers

• A key role in the company's logistics with direct reporting to the CEO.

• The opportunity to build the European railway logistics function and influence processes.

• Authority to directly negotiate with carriers, initiate changes to routes, operators and schedules, propose new partners.

• A company in a period of active development and digital transformation.

• Employee booking.

• Competitive compensation, to be discussed individually.