Job Purpose

The Management Trainee is a high-potential, early-career participant in a three-year accelerated development program designed to build Progress Rail's future business and operational leaders. Through structured rotational assignments, the trainee gains broad exposure to the company's operations and functional areas while developing business acumen, leadership capability, technical knowledge, and an enterprise perspective. Participants complete meaningful assignments, own projects with measurable outcomes, and receive coaching, mentoring, and formal development. Upon successful completion, participants may be considered for professional or leadership-track roles based on business needs, demonstrated performance, individual strengths, and available opportunities.

Req ID

12432BR

City

Atchison

State:

Kansas

Company Description

Progress Rail stands at the intersection of legacy and innovation—driving the future of rail with a pioneering spirit. Since its founding in 1983, the company has grown to become one of the world’s largest and most trusted providers of railroad products, services, and technologies. Today, Progress Rail delivers a comprehensive portfolio of cost-effective solutions to railway customers around the globe. From the rails themselves to the EMD® locomotives that ride them, the company’s products are in operation across more than 100 countries—powering progress and connecting communities. In 2006, Progress Rail joined Caterpillar Inc., further strengthening its ability to lead the rail industry with cutting-edge technology, unmatched expertise, and a commitment to excellence. At Progress Rail, the team is not just building the future of rail—they are making history every day.

Key Job Elements

Minimum duties and responsibilities• Complete multiple structured rotations over a three-year period, generally lasting six to twelve months each.

• Complete developmental assignments across multiple functional areas and locations as assigned.
• Learn Progress Rail products, customers, manufacturing and service processes, and end-to-end business operations.
• Analyze operational and business data, identify improvement opportunities, and develop practical recommendations.
• Build productive relationships with employees, leaders, customers, and cross-functional partners.
• Participate in leadership development, professional training, mentoring, and networking activities.
• Demonstrate Progress Rail values and leadership expectations, including safety, integrity, teamwork, excellence, accountability, intellectual curiosity, sound judgment, and respect for others.
• Maintain flexibility regarding assignments, work schedules, travel, and relocation requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Advanced duties and responsibilities

• Lead or support projects that improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, customer service, employee engagement, or operational effectiveness.
• Apply continuous improvement principles and support implementation of approved process changes.
• Prepare and deliver clear presentations on project findings, recommendations, and business results to functional and senior leaders.
• Own assigned rotation deliverables with measurable outcomes and participate in formal performance and development reviews.
• Demonstrate increasing capability in business acumen, leadership, cross-functional collaboration, strategic thinking, and enterprise decision-making.

Education / Training

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Engineering, Business Administration, Supply Chain, Finance, Human Resources, Operations Management, Industrial Technology, Manufacturing Management, or related field.

Qualifications and Experience

• Demonstrated leadership through internships, cooperative education, student organizations, athletics, military service, community involvement, or comparable experiences.
• Internship or co-op experience in manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, finance, human resources, or related industrial field preferred.

Preferred Skills

• Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Effective written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Learning agility and ability to adapt quickly to new functions, teams, facilities, and business challenges.
• Demonstrated initiative, accountability, resilience, and leadership potential.
• Ability to organize work, manage projects, balance priorities, and deliver commitments.
• Ability to collaborate effectively and influence without formal authority.
• Exposure to Lean, Six Sigma, project management, analytics, or continuous improvement methods preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and ability to learn additional business systems.

Essential and Physical Activities Functions

• Strength: Work may occur in office and industrial environments. The position may require occasional standing, walking, bending, climbing, kneeling, crouching, and lifting consistent with assigned work and site requirements.
• Motion: Regular use of standard office equipment and repetitive hand/eye coordination. Facility assignments may require movement through manufacturing, shop, warehouse, or field areas.
• Vision/Hearing Requirements: Regular verbal communication, including talking and hearing. Must be able to observe work areas, equipment, materials, and safety information.
• Work Environment: Work may be performed in a standard office environment and in non-temperature-controlled industrial environments. Travel and temporary relocation may be required.
• Safety: Must comply with all safety rules and site requirements. Personal Protective Equipment may be required. Industrial assignments may involve noise, temperature changes, dust, hazardous materials, moving equipment, and other conditions typical of manufacturing and rail environments.

Physical Health Screening Required - Yes No

Benefits

Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance, and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Progress Rail.**

• Competitive Salary
• 401(k) plan with up to 6% company match (no waiting period with immediate vesting)
• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life/Disability Insurance
• Supplemental Accident, Critical Care, and Hospital Insurance available along with an HDHP and HSA with seed money
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Time-Off (PTO)
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Education Assistance Program
• Employee Recognition Programs
• Site specific Production and Incentive Plans
• Site specific Step and Skill Level Wage Adjustment Plans
• Site Specific Relocation and Sign-on Bonus Programs

*Benefits eligibility varies by job position, full-time/part-time and regular/temporary status. The provisions of the plan documents control such benefits.

**Subject to position, eligibility, and plan guidelines.

EEO

Progress Rail is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities.

Job Category

Production - Operations & Support

PRS Facility Location

Atchison, KS RPS - 317

Management Trainee | Progress Rail Services Corporation, a Caterpillar Company