Cassandra Ellis
Edmonton
Summary
Experienced with managing operational tasks and streamlining processes to improve efficiency. Utilizes strong organizational and communication skills to support team goals and ensure smooth operations. Track record of problem-solving and adaptability in dynamic environments.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Operations Assistant
Canadian National Railway
07.2018 - Current
- Responsible for Assisting the Transportation department for the Yellowhead & Mountain North Region. I report directly to the Yellowhead General Manager. I handle Shortage, Training, Bulletin Management: Draft, review, and distribute General, Local, and Educational Notices for the Yellowhead region. Ensure accuracy and timely communication of bulletins.
- Accommodation & Travel Coordination: Book and reconcile all crew accommodations for Shortage, Training, and Relocation employees across Mountain North and Yellowhead regions. Manage weekly bookings for ~15 - 60 shortage employees, ~10 - 40 trainees, and ~10 relocation employees across 17+ terminals. Utilize Lodgelink for bookings.
- Accounts Payable & Reconciliation: Review and process 30–60 weekly expense claims including Shortage, Training, and Relocation reimbursements. Reconcile accounts for CTA, P-Cards, and Travel Cards. Manage invoice processing and upload for vendors such as GFL, Hallcon, and Lodgelink using SAP (MCV). Oversee payments for utilities, rentals, courier services, and AFHT accommodations.
- Payroll Administration: Enter and submit bi-weekly time entries for non-union non-management staff
- Safety & Recognition Programs: Coordinate and issue Injury-Free Milestone and Safety Excellence Awards across Yellowhead region. Organize and support Injury-Free events, including material preparation and event logistics. Report and compile FLS Transportation Manager weekly/monthly tests and ERD Bi-Weekly Reports. Member of the Safety Working Team: manage meeting agendas, host sessions, and maintain detailed minutes. Attend and contribute to monthly Health and Safety Meetings.
- Procurement & Inventory Management: Order and maintain stock for office supplies, PPE, keys, safety materials, awards, and gifts. Manage PPE vending machines including sourcing, restocking, and access control.
- Analyzed operational data to identify trends and recommend strategic changes.
- Administrative & Event Support: Provide vacation relief for other administrative staff. Support General Manager and Division with: Expense submissions Event coordination (e.g., CN Family Day, CN Christmas Express, Safety Week) Reporting and meeting logistics Other ad hoc administrative tasks
- Streamlined communication between departments to enhance operational efficiency.
- Led cross-functional meetings to align project goals and optimize outcomes.
- Tools & Systems Used: SAP (MCV), Lodgelink, Microsoft Office, internal CN systems, Travel & Reconciliation Tools (CTA, P-Card, MCV)
- Provided administrative support with accurate document preparation and data entry.
Crew Supervisor
CN Railway
01.2014 - 07.2018
- Developed time management skills while working in a time sensitive environment. Completed various reports throughout my shift containing imperative information for multiple territories & departments. Helped reduce Called and Cancelled costs in our department by over 50% Directly managed a minimum of 6 employees per shift. I dealt with scheduling employees shifts on a daily basis; forecasting schedules and calling employees to work. I coached and mentored employees to help them reach different goals each month and created positive bonds with each employee I worked with. Received over 150 emails as well as up to 100 calls per shift and was required to keep up to date with all information sent my way. Held coach and counsel sessions and conducted Formal and Informal investigations with my employees to resolve the issue at hand in an unbiased manner. Attended multiple courses regarding leadership roles Became Conductor qualified and was required to perform Conductor duties 2 weeks a year. Harvested a safe work environment by following safety protocols & rules Trained my employees to abide by the Health & Safety standards Became First Aid/CPR qualified Trained as an Auditor and was responsible for adjusting tickets for Running Trades employees to ensure they were paid the correct amount of money. Trained in Attendance Management and was responsible to monitor employee book offs and follow up with employees who were booked off over an extended period of time.
Crew Dispatcher
CN Railway
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Went through classroom & on the job training to Dispatch crews to work in accordance with 3 different Collective Agreements. Responsible for being current on multiple complex calling procedures as well as collective agreement procedures for all Running Trades employees. Required to provide multiple employees as close to a 2-hour call as possible to work. Responsible for ensuring employees turns on the pools and spareboards are in the correct position to ensure no unproductive cost occurs. Dispatched over 60 trains per shift; as well as dispatching yard employees resulting in over 120 employees being called to work. Required to prioritize multiple tasks that would occur at the same time. Developed positive social skills while working with my fellow Co-workers. Required to answer calls to help book off running trade employees and assist with helping them book days off.
Receptionist
Go Auto
01.2011 - 01.2012
- Developed efficiency-enhancing workflow/process improvements that made it possible to accommodate increasing responsibilities necessitated by staff reductions. Decreased office expenditures by implementing needed controls on stock/supplies and standardizing ordering procedures
Education
High School -
Archbishop O’Leary High School
Edmonton, AB06-2012
Skills
- Dependable
- Workforce skill enhancement
- Work Planning and Prioritization
- Report & Document Preparation
- Effective in leveraging computer technology
- Committed team member
- Effective organizational management
- Inventory Management
- Professional and friendly
- Effective communication
- Service-oriented communication skills
- Attention to detail
Languages
English
Timeline
Operations Assistant
Canadian National Railway
07.2018 - Current
Crew Supervisor
CN Railway
01.2014 - 07.2018
Crew Dispatcher
CN Railway
01.2012 - 01.2014
Receptionist
Go Auto
01.2011 - 01.2012
High School -
Archbishop O’Leary High School
Similar Profiles
Justin StrongJustin Strong
Freight Conductor at Canadian National RailwayFreight Conductor at Canadian National Railway
Olivier Donato-CoutuOlivier Donato-Coutu
Designer Électrique at Canadian National RailwayDesigner Électrique at Canadian National Railway
Lila HashiLila Hashi
Staff Coordinator at Canadian National Railway CompanyStaff Coordinator at Canadian National Railway Company
Dan KafelDan Kafel
Food Handler at Edmonton Food BankFood Handler at Edmonton Food Bank
Hanna HaHanna Ha
Speech-Language Pathology (Shadowing) at Pathways Learning CentreSpeech-Language Pathology (Shadowing) at Pathways Learning Centre