Heavy Haul Operations Manager

Vaco Recruiter Services; Jacksonville (FL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Vaco is seeking a Heavy Haul Operations Manager in Jacksonville, FL to lead the heavy haul team and oversee OS/OW transportation projects. You will collaborate with Sales, Billing, and other departments to ensure safe, efficient, and on-time delivery of oversized cargo.

The role emphasizes hands-on leadership, strategic planning, and continuous improvement while maintaining high service standards and customer satisfaction.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in heavy haul transportation or related field.
• 3+ years of direct supervisory/people-management experience.
• Experience in 3PL, complex logistics, or transportation operations.
• Strong knowledge of OS/OW transportation, equipment, routing and permitting.
• Understanding of DOT regulations and industry practices.
• Experience managing complex transportation projects from planning to execution.
• Ability to communicate effectively and lead in a fast-paced environment.
• High school diploma or GED required.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations of the heavy haul team with clear communication and balanced workloads.
• Oversee OS/OW transportation projects, routing, equipment, and permits.
• Collaborate on project pricing and RFQ reviews with operational insight.
• Ensure customer requirements are met throughout the transportation lifecycle.
• Work cross-functionally with Sales, Billing and other departments.
• Drive process improvements to enhance efficiency, quality, and safety.
• Maintain documentation and regulatory compliance across operations.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Team management

Problem solving

Organization

Conflict resolution

Education

HS diploma or GED

Bachelor’s degree in related field (preferred)

Tools

OS/OW knowledge

OS/OW transportation routing

Permitting knowledge

DOT regulations knowledge

Job description

Vaco is hiring for a Heavy Haul Operations Manager

Location: Jacksonville, FL

Compensation: $70-$80/annually

We are seeking an experienced Heavy Haul Operations Manager to lead the daily operations of our heavy haul team and ensure the safe, efficient, and reliable movement of oversized and overweight (OS/OW) cargo.

This position provides hands‑on leadership, operational direction, and strategic planning while overseeing the heavy haul operations team and collaborating closely with Sales, Billing, and other supporting departments. The Heavy Haul Operations Manager will play a key role in maintaining high service standards, improving operational processes, developing team members, and supporting continued business growth.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead the daily operations of the heavy haul team, ensuring clear communication, balanced workloads, productivity, and consistent execution of established SOPs.
• Supervise employee work assignments, workflow, accuracy, productivity, and overall performance.
• Set performance expectations and provide ongoing coaching, feedback, training, and mentorship.
• Promote employee development, engagement, and retention.
• Manage team schedules, coverage, time‑off requests, and timecard approvals.
• Foster a culture of professionalism, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Heavy Haul Operations

• Oversee the safe and efficient execution of heavy haul transportation projects involving oversized and overweight cargo.
• Provide operational expertise related to OS/OW transportation, specialized equipment, routing, and permitting.
• Partner with the team to identify and resolve operational challenges that could impact service, timelines, cost, or customer satisfaction.
• Prioritize time‑sensitive projects and balance team workloads to maintain service levels and operational quality.
• Ensure customer requirements and expectations are consistently met throughout the transportation lifecycle.

Pricing & Project Support

• Collaborate on project pricing and RFQ reviews, providing operational insight to ensure proposed solutions are accurate, feasible, and cost‑effective.
• Evaluate operational requirements, transportation challenges, and potential risks associated with complex heavy haul projects.
• Partner with Sales to ensure customer commitments can be successfully executed by the operations team.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Sales, Billing, and other departments to ensure operational alignment and a consistent customer experience.
• Maintain clear, professional communication across departments to support effective decision‑making and problem‑solving.
• Help ensure sales expectations, operational requirements, and billing timelines remain aligned throughout each project.

Process & Continuous Improvement

• Lead initiatives designed to improve operational efficiency, eliminate bottlenecks, and optimize heavy haul processes.
• Identify and implement workflows, systems, and procedures that improve accuracy, productivity, quality control, and efficiency.
• Encourage team feedback and promote best practices and innovative solutions.
• Identify operational risks and partner with leadership to strengthen processes and overall performance.

Compliance & Professional Standards

• Ensure compliance with documentation, reporting, audit‑readiness, company policies, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Maintain accurate operational records and documentation.
• Demonstrate professionalism, integrity, accountability, and a customer‑first mindset.
• Set a strong example for the team through dependable attendance, ethical decision‑making, and consistent leadership.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in heavy haul transportation, specialized transportation, or a closely related field.
• 3+ years of direct supervisory or people‑management experience.
• Proven leadership experience within 3PL, complex logistics, or transportation operations.
• Strong technical knowledge of oversized/overweight (OS/OW) transportation, specialized equipment, routing, and permitting.
• Strong understanding of DOT regulations and specialized transportation industry practices.
• Experience managing complex transportation projects from planning through execution.
• Strong communication, leadership, organization, and conflict‑resolution skills.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast‑paced environment while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
• High school diploma or GED required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• PMP certification or equivalent project management experience.
• Six Sigma or other process‑improvement certification.
• Previous CDL‑A driving experience is beneficial but not required.
• Knowledge of business development principles within the specialized transportation industry.

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual’s skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company’s 401(k) retirement plan. Additional disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted in the job description, the position Vaco/Highspring is filing for is occupied. Please note, however, that Vaco/Highspring is regularly asked to provide talent to other organizations. By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. Submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase within Vaco/Highspring will be otherwise assessed by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco/Highspring does not have knowledge of the tools used by its clients in making final hiring decisions and cannot opine on their use of AI products.