John Bennett
Winnipeg,Mb
Summary
Innovative, results-driven, goal-oriented Operations Specialist with extensive management experience in a variety of fast paced, technically sophisticated, diverse environments within the North American and Middle East rail transportation sectors. Functional areas include operations management, strategic planning, mechanical maintenance, labor relations, staff development, and safety compliance initiatives.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Operations Specialist
SAUDI RAIL CORPORATION (SAR)
- Innovative, results-driven, goal-oriented Operations Specialist with extensive management experience in a variety of fast paced, technically sophisticated, diverse environments within the North American and Middle East rail transportation sectors
- Functional areas include operations management, process management, strategic planning, mechanical maintenance, labor negotiations, staff development, and safety advocacy.
Senior Operations Specialist (Freight)
SAUDI RAILWAY CORPORATION (SAR)
01.2014 - 01.2021
- Provided management and direction for operations staff servicing across a variety of geographical locations in The Middle East
- Provided leadership for 100+ non-union employees including Terminal Masters, Train Crew Supervisors, Locomotive Engineers and Conductors, Mechanical Staff and Administration Officers.
Manager Train Operations (Passenger Service)
VIA RAIL, CANADA
01.2010 - 01.2014
- Provided leadership direction for locomotive engineers and conductors servicing (100+ unionized employees) at Winnipeg, Canora, Hornepayne and The Pas Terminals
- Implemented several lean initiatives to improve productivity and reduce expenses
- Led the implementation of continuous improvement activities at all terminals, reducing operational expenses by approximately 10%.
Production Coordinator (Freight/Intermodal)
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY
01.2007 - 01.2010
- Ensured yard and train performance for Prairie Division met or exceeded requirements of the Integrated Operating Plan and involved execution of plans to achieve expected financial results
- Involved the allocation of approximately 300+ unionized running trade employees.
Trainmaster (Operations)
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY
01.2003 - 01.2007
- Provided leadership direction for car distribution and train product allocation at Winnipeg Symington Terminal
- Involved the supervision of 300+ unionized running trade employees
- Ensured yard and train performance met or exceeded the Integrated Operating Plan and included the execution of plans to achieve expected financial results.
Trainmaster (Operations)
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY
01.2001 - 01.2003
- Provided management direction for running trade employees in Thunder Bay, Sioux Lookout and Ft
- Frances terminals
- Involved the allocation of approximately 200+ unionized running trade employees
- Member of management team that successfully negotiated a three-year ratified contract with operations department and United Transportation Union employees which resulted in productivity improvement opportunities through collective agreement changes.
Traffic Coordinator (Freight)
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY
01.1996 - 01.2001
- Planned and executed traffic distribution to outbound train departures
- Formulated logistical processes for the movement of traffic for entire district
- Monitored performance of industrial assignments to ensure customer needs were met
- Maintained optimum levels of car distribution for HPCS system
- Coordinated traffic movement processes with all departments to ensure fluidity.
Yard Operations Employee/Locomotive Engineer
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY
01.1988 - 01.1996
- Operated Locomotive Control System (LCS) Belt-pack equipment during general marshaling duties at several rail yards throughout Canada
- Trained, assessed, and monitored performance of newly hired employees on Operating Rules and Safe Work Procedures
- Experienced and knowledgeable with several different types of equipment including EMD SD70 (ACE) locomotives, Electronically Controlled Pneumatic (ECP) brakes, Wired/Wireless Distributed Power, and European Train Control Systems (ETCS).
Education
Certified Locomotive Engineer - Transport Operations
Canadian National Railway Polytechnic
Winnipeg, MBSkills
- Operational Excellence
- Business process improvement
- Workflow Management
- Production Planning
- Supply chain logistics
- Conflict Mediation
- Customer Relations
- Management
- Operations Management
- Staff Supervision
- Scheduling Coordination
- Team Training
- Performance monitoring
- Compliance Management
- Employee Development
- Risk Management
- Logistics Coordination
- Process Improvement
Education - Continuous Learning
- 1993 - Student Locomotive Engineer Training (Gimli, MB.)
- 1999 - Locomotive Control System – Belt Pack
- 2003 - Rail Security Awareness Course
- 2003 - Advanced Locomotive Engineer Refresher Training (ALERT)
- 2005 - The ABCs of Performance - How We Work and Why?
- 2005 - Managing and Investigating Performance
- 2006 - Derailment Cause Finding Seminar
- 2007 - Health and Safety Committee Co-Chair
- 2009 - CN Risk Assessment Course
- 2011 - Niagara Institute (LDP) Learning Development Program
- 2011 - Business Continuity Resumption Plan (BCRP) Co-Chair
- 2014 - Canadian Rail Operating Rules (CROR) Qualified
- 2014 - St. John’s Ambulance First Aid Qualified
- 2015 - GSM-R Voice Cab Radio (Thales)
- 2015 - GSM-R Handsets (Thales)
- 2015 - ETCS On-Board Unit (Driver Training: EMD Locomotives)
- 2021 - Certified Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Instructor (NVCI)
- 2021 - Canadian Certified Recovery Coach (CACCF)
References
- Mark Anderson, Previous-Rail Operations Freight Manager (Saudi Arabian Railway) Current-Rail Freight Expert (DB-E&C-NEOM), mark.anderson@db-eco.com, +966 53 457 5074
- Alex Tapsell, Previous-OCC Manager (Saudi Arabian Railway) Current-Freight Operations Manager (DB-E&C-NEOM), alexander.a.tapsell@db-eco.com, +966 55 242 1122
Timeline
Senior Operations Specialist (Freight)
SAUDI RAILWAY CORPORATION (SAR)
01.2014 - 01.2021
Manager Train Operations (Passenger Service)
VIA RAIL, CANADA
01.2010 - 01.2014
Production Coordinator (Freight/Intermodal)
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY
01.2007 - 01.2010
Trainmaster (Operations)
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY
01.2003 - 01.2007
Trainmaster (Operations)
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY
01.2001 - 01.2003
Traffic Coordinator (Freight)
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY
01.1996 - 01.2001
Yard Operations Employee/Locomotive Engineer
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY
01.1988 - 01.1996
Senior Operations Specialist
SAUDI RAIL CORPORATION (SAR)
Certified Locomotive Engineer - Transport Operations
Canadian National Railway Polytechnic