General Manager, Contract Logistics

Forward Air Corporation; Union City (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Forward Air Corporation is seeking a General Manager, Contract Logistics to oversee a large contract logistics site on-site in California. The role carries full P&L responsibility, safety, service and financial performance, plus leadership of site leaders and frontline teams.

You will drive operational excellence, implement LEAN/Six Sigma initiatives, manage capacity and workforce planning, and partner with customers on strategic improvements. Travel up to 30% may be required.

Qualifications

• 7+ years’ progressive experience leading third‑party logistics (3PL) or contract logistics operations for large/enterprise customers.
• Proven ability to lead large, diverse, and distributed teams and manage complex logistics operations in a high‑volume, multi‑site environment.
• Experience engaging with customers directly to conduct business reviews, resolve escalations, and participate in contract renewal/negotiation.
• Strong functional knowledge of Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and reporting/data tools.
• Excellent team leadership, development, and coaching/performance management skills.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership for site operations, ensuring contractual, financial, safety, and service commitments are achieved.
• Lead and align site leadership teams to drive consistent execution and operational discipline.
• Translate strategic objectives into executable site-level operating plans.
• Ensure facilities operate in a clean, organized, safe, and compliant manner, including adherence to 5S principles.
• Own site-level Profit and Loss (P&L) responsibility, including labor, operating expenses, and cost optimization initiatives.
• Lead workforce planning, volume forecasting, and capacity management to align resources with demand.
• Monitor financial and operational performance, identify trends and variances, and implement corrective actions.
• Sponsor and govern site-level capital investment and improvement initiatives.
• Establish and govern site performance management systems aligned to safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity.
• Lead data‑driven operational reviews and ensure consistent use of dashboards and KPIs.
• Sponsor and prioritize continuous improvement initiatives using LEAN, Six Sigma, and structured problem‑solving methodologies.
• Ensure improvements are sustained through standard work, training, and operating discipline.
• Serve as the senior operational leader for customer relationships at the site level.
• Lead executive‑level customer reviews, performance discussions, and strategic planning sessions.
• Partner with customers to identify operational enhancements, scalability opportunities, and long‑term improvements.
• Lead, coach, and develop site leadership teams and high‑potential talent.
• Establish succession plans and leadership development pathways.
• Drive a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure consistent application of performance management, coaching, and employee relations practices.
• Champion a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with all regulatory and company requirements. Maintain accountability for safety performance, quality standards, and risk mitigation.
• Ensure audits, corrective actions, and compliance activities are executed and sustained.
• All other duties as assigned to meet evolving business needs.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Problem solving

Communication

Change management

Analytical thinking

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Undergraduate degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, or related field

Lean/Kaizen/Six Sigma certifications

Tools

WMS

ERP

Reporting tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

Job Description

Position: General Manager, Contract Logistics

Compensation: $170,000 - 190,000 Annually

The

The General Manager, Contract Logistics is responsible for operational oversight of a large/complex contract logistics site, or group of closely related sites, with full accountability for safety, service, financial performance, and employee engagement. They ensure delivery of contractual obligations while driving operational excellence scalability, and sustained performance. They coach site leaders and frontline teams, execute operational strategies, and lead continuous improvement initiatives that drive productivity, quality, cost, and service outcomes. They build strong relationships with customers, employees, and internal partners to support stability, growth, and long‑term value creation.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership for site operations, ensuring contractual, financial, safety, and service commitments are achieved.
• Lead and align site leadership teams to drive consistent execution and operational discipline.
• Translate strategic objectives into executable site-level operating plans.
• Ensure facilities operate in a clean, organized, safe, and compliant manner, including adherence to 5S principles.
• Own site-level Profit and Loss (P&L) responsibility, including labor, operating expenses, and cost optimization initiatives.
• Lead workforce planning, volume forecasting, and capacity management to align resources with demand.
• Monitor financial and operational performance, identify trends and variances, and implement corrective actions.
• Sponsor and govern site-level capital investment and improvement initiatives.
• Establish and govern site performance management systems aligned to safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity.
• Lead data‑driven operational reviews and ensure consistent use of dashboards and KPIs.
• Sponsor and prioritize continuous improvement initiatives using LEAN, Six Sigma, and structured problem‑solving methodologies.
• Ensure improvements are sustained through standard work, training, and operating discipline.
• Serve as the senior operational leader for customer relationships at the site level.
• Lead executive‑level customer reviews, performance discussions, and strategic planning sessions.
• Partner with customers to identify operational enhancements, scalability opportunities, and long‑term improvements.
• Lead, coach, and develop site leadership teams and high‑potential talent.
• Establish succession plans and leadership development pathways.
• Drive a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure consistent application of performance management, coaching, and employee relations practices.
• Champion a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with all regulatory and company requirements. Maintain accountability for safety performance, quality standards, and risk mitigation.
• Ensure audits, corrective actions, and compliance activities are executed and sustained.
• All other duties as assigned to meet evolving business needs.

Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED)/equivalent required; Undergraduate degree (or higher) in Supply Chain Management, Business, or a related field from an accredited college or university preferred.
• Certification / Licensure: Lean/Kaizen/Six Sigma certifications preferred.
• Experience: 7+ years’ progressive experience leading third‑party logistics (3PL) or contract logistics operations for large/enterprise customers.
• Proven ability to lead large, diverse, and distributed teams and manage complex logistics operations in a high‑volume, preferably multi‑site environment.
• Prior experience engaging with customers directly to conduct business reviews, resolve escalations/conflicts, and participate in the contract renewal/negotiation process.
• Strong functional knowledge of Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and reporting/data tools.
• Excellent team leadership, development, and coaching/performance management skills.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills.
• Demonstrated discretion and confidentiality in handling and protecting sensitive information.
• Technical: Proficient with common office technologies, including Windows PCs, Microsoft O365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and web conferencing (Teams, Zoom, Webex, etc.)
• Environment: Comfort commuting to/from and working in a 100% on‑site setting (listed in this posting), with travel for related meetings, events, and client engagements (up to 30%).