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.

EDUCATION / TRAINING

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field (Master’s or MBA preferred).

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• 10–15 years of progressive HR leadership experience, including at least 5 years at a senior executive level.
• Proven track record of developing and leading strategic HR programs in a complex, fast-paced environment.
• A broad knowledge of employment, benefits, compensation, organizational planning, employee and labor relations, training and development is necessary.

Skills & Competencies

• Executive Communication. Outstanding written and verbal communication skills are required. You should be adept at preparing reports, presenting to C-suite leaders, and simplifying complex ideas for diverse audiences.
• Strategic Thinking. Candidates will understand importance of “big picture” thinking and planning and have the ability to apply organizational acumen and competitiveness to identify and maintain focus on key success factors for the organization.
• Change Leadership. Candidates must be skilled in guiding organizations through transformation, with the ability to gain alignment and build commitment in ambiguous or high-stakes situations.
• Business Acumen. Candidates must demonstrate knowledge of business concepts, tools, and processes that are needed for making sound decisions in the context of the company’s business, with the ability to apply this knowledge appropriately to diverse situations.
• Global Perspective. As a trusted advisor to a global business, candidates must have knowledge of issues, opportunities, and challenges for conducting business in the international marketplace with the ability to apply global perspectives appropriately in a wide range of situations.
• Knowledge of Organization. A successful candidate will be expected to learn the organization’s vision, structure, culture, philosophy, operating principles, values, and code of ethics to understand the value of aligning capabilities with business goals to support optimal performance.

The Vice President of Human Resources is a strategic leader responsible for developing and executing HR strategies that support Progress Rail’s mission, growth, and culture. The VP of HR will be responsible for executing the people strategy for all HR functions for Progress Rail globally by aligning innovative talent solutions with business objectives to fuel the company’s success and growth. This role leads teams responsible for talent management and talent acquisition, performance management, learning and development, compensation and benefits, HR compliance, and positive employee relations, among others. As a key advisor to senior leadership, the VP of HR for Progress Rail will be a champion of a high-performance, inclusive work culture.
The ideal candidate for this role is a dynamic and strategic leader who understands the critical importance of developing strategies to attract and retain key talent. Candidates should have a proven track record in driving organizational transformation with the ability to skillfully identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Candidates must possess a strong executive presence, enabling them to influence and inspire at all levels of the organization, and be skilled in navigating complex challenges with a commitment to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.