Sr Analyst, Portfolio Management

Founded in 1898 and headquartered in Chicago, IL, GATX Corporation (NYSE: GATX) is an industry leader with 125+ years of success—success that is powered by our people. We are proud of our high-performance culture, hard-working and enthusiastic management team, and beautiful office space in the Willis Tower.

At GATX, we hire the best and offer our employees a dynamic, energetic, collaborative environment to enable them to make an impact from day one. Enjoy the perks and benefits of a global company with the close-knit culture and community of a much smaller one. In the same way we strive to empower our customers to propel the world forward, we are dedicated to providing our people with the tools and resources they need to advance in their careers.

The Senior Fleet Portfolio Analyst will manage the day-to-day pricing and deployment of a subset of GATX’s North American railcar fleet totaling between 7,500 to 15,000 cars. The goal of this position is to maximize GATX’s economic return on its investment in the selected car types by successfully completing railcar lease transactions including assignments, renewals, and releases. They will also support investment decisions and strategic fleet portfolio management activity for the subject fleet under the guidance of the VP (or Director) of Fleet Portfolio Management.

Qualified candidates who are currently Wells Fargo Rail employees will be given priority consideration over other external applicants.

Manage the overall assignment process, and all individual transactions, for each product code/fleet where (s)he has responsibility.

• These transactions include the placement of an existing car on lease (“assignment”), which the incumbent will handle by responding to and quoting on inquiries from account managers.
• The incumbent will identify the proper equipment, investigate the mechanical and economic feasibility of alteration as needed, negotiate the rate, term, and payment responsibility for all items outside of rate and term (such items include rail car alteration cost, interior preparation, new and existing car freight expenses, and others).
• These tasks require an understanding of customer equipment specifications and delivery requirements and an understanding of car types, components and applicable DOT/FRA regulatory requirements.
• As a junior member of the team, the incumbent will not be expected to enter the position with all of the above knowledge but is expected to learn on the job under the guidance of his/her supervisor and peers.

Manage the renewal process, and all individual renewal transactions, for each product code/fleet where (s)he has responsibility.

• These transactions address expiring leases through the negotiation of a new lease rate, term, and other conditions with the same customer.
• The incumbent will set the target lease rate and term within FPM guidelines, and also will seek to add value through transaction enhancements, including early renewals, packaging groups of expirations/ assignments together, etc.
• The incumbent will need to maintain an understanding of current market conditions, customer trends and fleet requirements, and potential release and remarketing expenses.

Manage the overall release process, and all individual releases, for each product code/fleet where (s)he has responsibility.

• A “release” describes an event in which a customer chooses not to renew a lease, at which point a railcar re-enters GATX’s idle fleet. Managing releases requires an assessment of the car’s future marketability.
• The incumbent will work with the Fleet Order Execution and Operations Teams to ensure that repair decisions that occur at the time of release are economical to perform and that GATX’s rights under the expiring lease terms are understood and enforced.
• The incumbent will develop and implement tactics to optimize existing fleet availability and define the optimal number of “ready cars” for each product code/fleet, based on projected demand, probable releases and current idle cars.

Perform tasks as requested to support implementation of strategic initiatives intended to maximize existing fleet returns and profitable growth.

• Analysis in support of fleet planning and reporting, budgeting and forecasting, and drafting of investment and asset sale recommendation write-ups
• Decision support - analysis of potential capital expenditures to improve or convert existing cars; analysis of ERL decisions
• Analysis of projected conversion and assignment costs
• Scrap car replacement and reporting
• Membership and support of cross-functional teams

• Bachelor’s degree
• 3-5 years of experience (rail industry or equipment leasing) preferred
• Basic knowledge of railcars (operational or financial) preferred
• Understanding of basic principles of finance is strongly preferred
• Ability to take ownership of multiple activities, while achieving results in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to take responsibility for successfully completing commercial transactions
• Willingness to independently make decisions, exercise judgment, and have responsibility for them, while only having partial, ambiguous, or incomplete information
• Ability to interpret market information provided, and negotiate for optimal outcome
• Entrepreneurial attitude and initiative, and the ability to create value without the benefit of a detailed roadmap
• Travel requirements are flexible and will evolve as the individual defines his or her approach to the role. Travel might be as frequent as 3-4 times per year.

This is a hybrid position that will require the employee to work in the office at least 3 days a week throughout the year.