Dock Manager

Van-Kam Freightways Ltd.; Surrey; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional transportation company in Surrey is seeking a Dock Manager to lead operations and manage a team of supervisors. The ideal candidate has 3-5 years of experience in dock or transportation operations, strong leadership skills, and a customer-focused approach. This role offers competitive wages and benefits, with a focus on work-life balance and professional development.

Benefits

Work-life balance

Competitive wages

100% employee benefit premiums

Career development opportunities

Environmental sustainability initiatives

Qualifications

• 3-5 years in dock, warehouse, or transportation operations, with at least 2 years in a leadership role.
• Experience in a unionized environment.
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide clear direction and support to your team of supervisors.
• Oversee dock activities, ensuring efficient loading/unloading.
• Coach supervisors and dock staff to develop their skills.

Skills

Leadership

Problem-Solving

Communication

Analytical Skills

Customer Focus

Tools

Microsoft Office

AS400

Job description

Overview

Location: Surrey

Department: Operations

Reporting to: Terminal Manager

About the Role

No two days on the dock look the same and that’s what makes this role exciting! As our Dock Manager, you’ll be at the center of our operations, leading a team of supervisors and dock staff to keep freight moving safely, efficiently, and on time. From solving unexpected challenges to motivating your team and working with customers, you’ll be driving the energy and performance of the terminal every day.

This role is for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, hands-on environment, and who can balance strong leadership with a “roll up your sleeves” attitude.

About Us

Van-Kam Freightways Ltd. (Van Kam) is one of the largest regional carriers in Western Canada specializing in less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation. With 8 terminal locations across British Columbia, we fulfill shipments to communities within 1-3 days throughout BC and Alberta. Between our own resources and our partner network, our coverage extends beyond Western Canada into the U.S. and Eastern Canada.

What You’ll Do

Lead & Inspire

• Provide clear direction, support, and motivation to your team of supervisors
• Foster a positive, collaborative work culture where safety and respect come first
• Set expectations and hold your team accountable while celebrating wins and progress
• Step in to cover supervisor shifts when needed; you know the dock inside and out

Keep Operations Moving

• Oversee dock activities, ensuring freight is loaded/unloaded safely and efficiently
• Coordinate with dispatch, customer service, and the shop to keep freight, people, and equipment on track
• Review and approve timecards, vacation requests, and leave requests
• Anticipate challenges and adjust schedules, staffing, or priorities to keep things flowing

Develop Your Team

• Coach supervisors and dock staff, helping them develop their skills and careers
• Spot training opportunities and provide development resources
• Handle performance disciplinary matters and grievances fairly and constructively
• Support staffing by hiring, onboarding, and scheduling as needed
• Build positive working relationships with unionized employees and collaborate effectively within a unionized environment

Champion Safety & Compliance

• Lead by example in promoting a safe, clean, and organized dock environment
• Investigate incidents and make sure lessons turn into improvements
• Monitor compliance with DOT, DG, and company safety standards
• Report on key metrics like productivity, late closing, load securement, and service performance

Deliver for Customers

• Partner with customer service and sales teams to quickly resolve shipment issues
• Keep customers informed and confident in our ability to deliver, even when challenges pop up

Adapt & Problem-Solve

• Plan dock coverage for holidays and peak seasons
• Tackle ad-hoc projects and special assignments because in trucking, flexibility is the name of the game

What You Bring

• Experience: 3–5 years in dock, warehouse, or transportation operations, with at least 2 years in a leadership or supervisory role. (Trucking or LTL experience is a strong asset.)
• Leadership Style: You lead by example! approachable, fair, and committed to treating employees with respect while holding them accountable
• People-First Approach: A natural mentor who enjoys coaching, recognizing achievements, and helping others grow in their careers
• Union Experience: Proven experience working in a unionized environment, with the ability to maintain positive labor relations
• Ownership Mindset: You like to stay on top of every detail, from staffing to safety to shipment deadlines and take pride in running a tight, efficient dock
• Problem-Solving Skills: Strong analytical and decision-making ability; you stay calm under pressure and adapt quickly to changes
• Customer Focus: You understand the importance of service excellence and keep both internal and external customers informed and satisfied
• Technical Skills: Comfortable using Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, Word) and open to learning new systems; AS400 or TMS knowledge is an asset
• Work Ethic: Organized, dependable, and able to juggle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment without losing sight of safety or quality

Why Work for Van Kam?

• Work-life balance. We treat our customers like friends and our employees like family. As a family-owned company, we understand the importance of work-life balance which is why we offer competitive time-off benefits and commit to providing a balanced schedule for our drivers – so they can spend less time on the road and more time with the ones they love.
• Competitive wages. We offer competitive wages and are committed to staying competitive within our industry.
• Benefits. We cover 100% of our employees benefit premiums and contribute to a company funded pension plan. Enjoy the benefits, all while keeping more of your paycheck in your pocket.
• Development. True to our values, we are committed to helping our employees succeed. Whether it is through career growth and advancement opportunities or investing in your training and education, we are here to support you along the way
• We care about the things that matter to you. We regularly send out surveys to our employees to understand their experiences and learn how we can make their time at work better. We work hard to have an open-door management policy and cultivate an environment that welcomes and supports new ideas and ways of doing things
• Make a difference. Trucking is vital to our communities. Here at Van Kam, we serve a broad range of industries from forestry and mining to retail, food, and auto. Come to work every day knowing you are making a difference and contributing to our purpose of uniting communities and improving lives
• Giving Back. Van Kam supports over 25 non-profit organizations and local charities each year through both financial contributions and volunteer efforts. We also match employee donations up to $150 per employee per year to ensure we can support the organizations that matter to you.
• Environmental Sustainability. We have Green Initiative programs to limit our carbon footprint which include things like governing road speeds to reduce fuel consumption, equipping new tractors with clean emissions technology and investing in technology to limit paper use, just to name a few!