Ernesto Garcia Higuera

Dynamic and results-oriented Services Operations Manager with over 23 years of international experience in the rail services sector, including extensive work with high-profile clients across Latin America and Southeast Asia. Proven ability to lead operations, improve customer satisfaction, and drive business growth through optimized service contracts, quality assurance, and operational efficiency. Expertise in managing cross-functional teams, deploying service solutions, and achieving key performance metrics in both field services and shop operations. Seeking to leverage my leadership skills and technical expertise in a senior operations or management role within a growth-oriented company in the rail services industry.

Technical & Rail Services Expertise

• Rail Fleet Management: Expertise in fleet maintenance, fleet optimization, and lifecycle management, including locomotive overhauls and performance monitoring.
• Service Contracts & SLA Management: Deep knowledge of service contract management, performance indicators (KPIs), and contractual obligations, including warranty management and customer satisfaction metrics.
• LNG Technology Integration: Successful deployment of LNG conversion technologies for rail products in LATAM, driving both environmental and operational improvements.

Leadership & Team Management

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Proven ability to lead diverse, multi-disciplinary teams across regions (e.g., Latin America, Southeast Asia), ensuring alignment with organizational goals and project timelines.
• Team Development: Experience in training, mentoring, and coaching teams of technical professionals to achieve high performance in service delivery and maintenance operations.
• Change Management: Skilled in implementing process improvements, quality initiatives, and best practices to drive cultural change and enhance team productivity.

Process Improvement & Quality Assurance

• Six Sigma & Lean Principles: Green Belt Six Sigma certified with a track record of driving cost-saving initiatives and process optimization projects across multiple service sites.
• Root Cause Analysis & Troubleshooting: Advanced problem-solving skills in diagnosing operational inefficiencies, troubleshooting technical issues, and implementing corrective actions to meet customer expectations.
• Quality Management Systems: Implementation and oversight of quality control processes and reliability programs to ensure high standards of service delivery and customer satisfaction.

Project & Budget Management

• Project Planning & Execution: Expertise in managing complex service delivery and technical projects from planning through execution, ensuring successful on-time and on-budget completion.
• Budget Control & Cost Management: Proven experience managing service operations budgets, controlling maintenance costs, and driving profitability through operational efficiencies and productivity improvements.

Customer Relationship Management

• Customer Liaison: Direct communication with clients to resolve issues, monitor service quality, and ensure customer satisfaction and loyalty.
• Contract Negotiation & Renewals: Skilled in managing customer relationships, negotiating contracts, and ensuring compliance with service level agreements (SLAs).