Rail Operator

Job Title:

Rail Operator

Contract Type:

Permanent

Time Type:

Job Description:

Company Overview 

Centalion Group is one of the world's leading independent commodities trading companies, creating logistics solutions that safely and efficiently move physical energy from where it is sourced and stored to where it is demanded. Through its trading activities and strategic investments in energy infrastructure, including refineries, pipelines, storage, terminals and other assets, Centalion generates value across the global energy supply chain.

Position Summary

We are looking for an experienced Rail Operator to support our growing rail logistics activities across Europe at Centalion. The role will be responsible for coordinating the efficient execution of rail movements, managing rail tank wagon operations and optimizing logistics costs.

Working closely with the Trading Desk and external logistics partners, the successful candidate will also provide operational and commercial insights to support trading decisions and identify opportunities to develop new rail flows.

Main Responsibilities

• Coordinate rail logistics activities, ensuring the efficient and timely execution of physical movements.
• Support freight negotiations and identify opportunities to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of the rail logistics network.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Manage rail tank wagon operations, including fleet availability, leasing, positioning, cleaning, maintenance and turnaround times.
• Coordinate loading and unloading activities with all relevant parties.
• Monitor shipments and proactively resolve delays, disruptions, capacity constraints and other operational issues.
• Optimize rail logistics costs, including freight, wagon detention, demurrage, idle time and empty wagon repositioning.
• Provide the Trading Desk with rail freight economics, delivery feasibility assessments, routing options and operational solutions to support trading decisions and new business opportunities.
• Work closely with Traders to assess the operational feasibility and economics of potential new rail flows.
• Monitor product quantities and quality specifications, coordinating with terminals, counterparties and inspectors as required.
• Collaborate with Trading, Contracts, Finance, Credit, Risk and other relevant internal functions to ensure smooth physical trade execution.
• Maintain proactive communication with rail carriers to monitor network performance, identify service disruptions and capacity constraints, and provide timely updates on operational risks affecting product movements.
• Develop and maintain relationships with rail loading terminal operators and shippers to monitor facility activity, understand competing loading programmes and assess market dynamics affecting rail asset utilization.

Profile / Key Skills

• Solid professional experience in rail logistics and operations, ideally within the oil, energy or commodity trading sector.
• Proven experience managing rail tank wagons and European rail movements.
• Experience managing wagon fleets, including availability, leasing, cleaning, maintenance, positioning and turnaround times.
• Good understanding of terminals and operational constraints associated with transporting liquid commodities.
• Experience supporting Trading or Commercial teams with freight economics, logistics feasibility and cost optimization.
• Strong commercial mindset, with the ability to identify operational efficiencies and potential new trading opportunities.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to respond quickly to operational disruptions.
• Ability to provide sound technical advice and practical operational solutions to Traders.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Proactive and solution-oriented approach, with a high degree of ownership, accuracy and accountability.
• Fluency in English is required; proficiency in Dutch or German would be an advantage.

If you think the open position you see is right for you, we encourage you to apply!

Our people make all the difference in our success.