Operations Supervisor (Freight Forwarding/Transportation)

NA Freight Forwarding Inc; Ontario; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in logistics is seeking a proactive Operations Supervisor to lead their Barrie team. This role offers the chance to enhance operational performance and customer satisfaction in a dynamic environment. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in freight forwarding and a passion for developing teams. You'll be responsible for driving accountability, fostering a customer-first culture, and implementing process improvements. Join a supportive team that values collaboration and continuous growth, and enjoy competitive benefits while shaping the future of logistics.

Benefits

Extended health benefits

Dental care

Vision care

Employee Assistance Program

Life insurance

RRSP program

Casual work environment

Engaging social activities

Qualifications

• 10+ years of transportation or freight forwarding experience required.
• 4+ years of leadership experience in people management required.

Responsibilities

• Supervise day-to-day operations and manage team performance.
• Negotiate rates with carriers and arrange transport for shipments.

Skills

Leadership

Team Management

Customer Service

Problem-Solving

Logistics Expertise

Communication

Analytical Skills

Education

Post Secondary Education in Supply Chain Management

Tools

Transportation Management Systems (TMS)

Loadlink

Excel

Job description

Job Title: Operations Supervisor

Location:Barrie, Ontario

Shift Time:8:00am to 4:30pm (In-Office)

Terms:Permanent Full-Time

Salary:Competitive, based on experience

Reports To:International Imports Manager

About Us:North American Freight Forwarding is a Canadian based company specializing in logistics services with specific strength in warehousing and distribution, LTL consolidations, expedites, full truckloads and specialized equipment service to and from Canada, United States and Mexico. As a professional international freight forwarder, we provide overseas import and export ocean and air freight services all over the world.

We seek out driven, talented individuals to join our team to meet and exceed our clients’ needs. We offer a rewarding career and brand that our employees are proud to represent.

Job Purpose:

The Operations Supervisor is a natural leader with a strong operations background and a passion for developing teams and improving processes. They thrive in fast-paced logistics environments , are proactive problem-solvers, and prioritize both efficiency and customer satisfaction. Their ability to motivate a team, drive accountability, and enhance operational performance makes them a key asset to the organization.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Support company Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) by proactively contributing to initiatives that drive strategic goals and organizational success
• Supervising the Barrie Operations team in their day-to-day activities, including:
  1. Arranging transport of import and export FTL and LTL shipments within and between Canada and the USA
  2. Negotiating rates with Carriers
  3. Quoting Customers
  4. Tracking shipments
  5. Communicating shipment details with customers and agents
  6. Submitting documents to Customs Brokers
  7. Arranging local pickups and deliveries
  8. Calculating revenue and costs on shipment files
• Set clear expectations for efficiency, accuracy, and proactive problem-solving in all aspects of the transport of operations including and not limited to routing of shipments, support and communication with problem shipments and timely billing
• Participate in the development and implementation of KPI goals, objectives, policies, and priorities of the operations department as per Management direction
• Coach, mentor, and support team members in achieving and exceeding KPIs, performance goals, and customer service standards
• Monitor individual and team performance, providing regular feedback, coaching, and performance management to drive continuous improvement
• Ensure full team competency by identifying skills gaps, implementing cross-training, and fostering professional development
• Create a customer-first culture by reinforcing best practices in responsiveness, communication, and proactive issue resolution
• Collaborate closely with leadership to align operations with company goals, drive efficiency, and contribute to strategic initiatives
• Analyze operational performance metrics to identify areas for improvement and implement solutions to optimize efficiency
• Act as a key decision-maker in resolving escalated operational challenges, ensuring timely and effective solutions
• Drive accountability and ownership, ensuring that each team member understands their impact on service quality and business success
• Foster a collaborative team environment by ensuring open communication, engagement, and a shared commitment to excellence
• Lead and develop the operations team to ensure excellence in execution and a high-performance culture
• Support company policies & procedures
• Participate in and complete employee appraisals
• Participate in onboarding new employees as needed
• External coaching opportunities and ongoing support from Management will be available to support the operations Supervisor’s personal and professional growth

Mindset & Personality:

• Proactive & Solutions-Oriented–See challenges as opportunities and actively seeks ways to improve processes and service
• Leadership-Driven – Naturally motivates, supports, and develops others while leading by example
• Accountability-Focused– Takes ownership of results and holds the team to high performance standards
• Customer-Centric– Prioritizes world-class service and ensures the team delivers seamless customer experiences
• Resilient & Agile– Handles pressure, manages competing priorities, and stays focused in a fast-paced environment
• Detail Oriented – Balances the ability to see both immediate tasks and long-term strategic goals
• Empathetic & Approachable– Builds strong relationships with the team, fostering trust and open communication
• Results-Driven – Continuously pushes for improvements and higher efficiency
• Confident Decision-Maker– Can quickly assess situations and make informed decisions under pressure
• Growth-Oriented– Committed to professional and personal development for both them and their teams

Professional & Educational Background:

• 10+ years of transportation or freight forwarding experience required
• 4+ years of leadership experience in people management, team supervision, or operational leadership required
• Experience working with Transportation Management Systems (TMS) and EDI Systems
• Knowledge of Canada & USA Customs cross border practices & procedures
• Knowledge of National LTL/FTL systems (i.e. Day & Ross, Polaris, Forward Air)
• Experience with deliveries to Amazon type Distribution Centers
• Knowledge of container port operations, rail line operations and airline cargo terminal operations considered and asset
• Experience with Tradeshow and White glove freight considered an asset
• Knowledgeable in CargoWise considered an asset
• Working knowledge of Loadlink is considered an asset
• Post Secondary education in Supply Chain Management considered an asset
• Certified and knowledgeable in Transportation of Dangerous Goods (Air and Ground) considered an asset

Skills & Ability:

Leadership & Team Management

• Strong coaching and mentoring skills to develop team members
• Ability to set clear expectations and drive accountability
• Skilled in performance management, feedback, and conflict resolution
• Experience in motivating teams to achieve and exceed performance targets

Operations & Logistics Expertise

• In-depth understanding of import/export logistics, customs processes, and carrier negotiations
• Strong ability to analyze operational performance and identify areas for improvement
• Experience with coordinating complex shipments and troubleshooting logistics challenges
• Ability to implement process improvements to enhance efficiency

Customer Service & Communication

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for both internal teams and external partners/customers
• Strong ability to de-escalate issues and handle customer concerns proactively
• Capable of training and coaching the team to enhance service levels and responsiveness

Strategic Thinking & Problem-Solving

• Ability to think critically and make data-driven decisions
• Strong time management and prioritization skills in a fast-moving environment.
• Skilled in identifying root causes of operational efficiencies and implementing solutions

Technical & Analytical Skills

• Proficiency in TMS (Transport Management Systems (Cargowise et al ), Logistics software (Loadlink), and Excel
• Ability to track KPIs, analyze trends, and create reports for leadership
• Experience in cost analysis and revenue tracking for shipments

Effort & Working Conditions:

• Office Environment

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to shape client success and operational excellence in a dynamic logistics environment
• Collaborative and supportive team culture with a focus on continuous improvement
• Casual work environment
• Engaging social activities and events throughout the year
• Competitive salary and above-standard benefits with opportunities for professional growth
  • Extended health benefits
  • Dental care
  • Vision care
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Life insurance
  • RRSP program

Our organization takes the accessibility needs of employees and candidates with disabilities into account during the position summary review process. Employees and candidates are required to notify their Director/Manager/Supervisor or Hiring Manager if they have any particular accessibility needs and the organization will work with the employee to address them.