Location Manager

Zūm; Johnston (RI); On-site; USD 100,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Zūm seeks an experienced Location Manager to lead transportation operations in Johnston, RI. This role covers the complete operational lifecycle—from bid development and startup to daily management and continuous improvement.

You will build high-performing teams, manage P&L accountability, and establish best-in-class transportation operations that exceed customer expectations.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience managing day-to-day operations in complex, time-sensitive environments such as transportation, field services, logistics, hospitality, or similar industries.
• Proven track record of managing multi-department teams and delivering customer service to external clients and internal stakeholders.
• Experience managing salaried leaders and coordinating across multiple departments.
• Comprehensive understanding of safety practices, protocols, processes, compliance requirements, and regulatory standards.

Responsibilities

• Execute complete site start-ups for newly awarded contracts, team hiring, facility setup, IT implementation.
• Develop training and hiring programs for location that meets or exceeds state, federal, and district guidelines.
• Develop and maintain customer and stakeholder relationships, consistently exceeding expectations through proactive communication and service delivery.
• Manage assigned contract operations, ensuring consistency and excellence.
• Oversee Safety Department compliance with state, federal, DOT regulations, RFP requirements, and meticulous record keeping.

Skills

P&L accountability

Operational oversight

KPI responsibility

Scheduling

Staffing

Operational execution

Client-facing relationships

Leading teams

Safety practices

Regulatory compliance

Job description

About Zūm

Zūm is revolutionizing mass mobility with its Connected Mobility Experience ( Zūm CMX ™) system that connects and coordinates people, vehicles, and operations in real time. In the $50 billion student mobility market – the largest segment of the mass mobility industry – Zūm CMX is transforming a daily source of anxiety and disruption into a reliable, transparent, and efficient mobility experience for students and families. Today, more than 6,500 schools rely on Zūm CMX . Recognized globally for its innovative approach and operational execution, Zūm has been named to Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative Companies, CNBC Disruptor 50 and Changemakers, the World Economic Forum, and the Financial Times’ Fastest Growing Companies lists. Zūm is backed by leading investors including Sequoia Capital, GIC, TPG, and Softbank.

About Zūm

Zūm is revolutionizing mass mobility with its Connected Mobility Experience ( Zūm CMX ™) system that connects and coordinates people, vehicles, and operations in real time. In the $50 billion student mobility market – the largest segment of the mass mobility industry – Zūm CMX is transforming a daily source of anxiety and disruption into a reliable, transparent, and efficient mobility experience for students and families. Today, more than 6,500 schools rely on Zūm CMX . Recognized globally for its innovative approach and operational execution, Zūm has been named to Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative Companies, CNBC Disruptor 50 and Changemakers, the World Economic Forum, and the Financial Times’ Fastest Growing Companies lists. Zūm is backed by leading investors including Sequoia Capital, GIC, TPG, and Softbank.

About The Role

We're seeking an experienced Location Manager to lead transportation operations at Johnston, RI. This role encompasses the complete operational lifecycle—from bid development and startup to daily management and continuous improvement. You'll build high-performing teams, manage P&L accountability, and establish best-in-class transportation operations that exceed customer expectations.

What Makes You Successful In This Role

You're a decisive leader who thrives in dynamic, fast-paced environments where every day brings new challenges. You balance operational urgency with safety discipline, never compromising on what matters most. You're a natural relationship builder who earns trust with customers, employees, and stakeholders through consistent follow-through. You see potential in people and invest in their growth, building teams that take ownership and deliver results. You're equally comfortable reviewing financial reports, walking the yard with drivers, and presenting to school district administrators. You take pride in building something from the ground up and have the resilience and initiative to overcome obstacles without waiting for permission.

Responsibilities

Operational Leadership & Start-Up

• Execute complete site start-ups for newly awarded contracts, team hiring, facility setup, IT implementation
• Develop training and hiring programs for location that meets or exceeds state, federal, and district guidelines
• Develop and maintain customer and stakeholder relationships, consistently exceeding expectations through proactive communication and service delivery
• Manage assigned contract operations, ensuring consistency and excellence

Performance Management & Safety

• Utilize Zum's IT infrastructure to monitor, analyze, and exceed balanced scorecard KPIs across all operational areas
• Spearhead a behavioral safety culture that protects employees, students, and the broader community
• Oversee Safety Department compliance with state, federal, DOT regulations, RFP requirements, and meticulous record keeping
• Review all incident reports, ensure proper accident/incident reporting procedures, and submit documentation as required
• Maintain P&L accountability in alignment with company financial guidelines

Team Development & Operations

• Collaborate with Human Resources, Recruiting, and Safety teams to strategize and execute hiring plans that support operational needs
• Develop and coach Zum employees to become our next generation of leaders through mentoring and growth opportunities
• Partner with Maintenance leaders to ensure complete fleet readiness and maintain accurate inventory meeting all regulatory and contractual requirements
• Oversee daily operations including scheduling, staffing, field trip/charter processes, route awards, and trip execution
• Work with the payroll department to ensure timely, accurate processing and resolve discrepancies promptly
• Manage union relationship according to collective bargaining agreement (CBA) guidelines
• Maintain organized, safe, clean, and efficient operational facilities
• Partner with Safety Manager to coordinate accident investigations and workers' compensation cases, working with insurance adjusters and claims administrators to ensure accountability and timely resolution
• Build and maintain strong relationships with school district partners and community to ensure service excellence

Electrification Project Management

• Plan, execute, and complete school bus yard electrification projects on time, within budget, and to specification
• Manage project plans, schedules, budgets, and coordinate with contractors, school district staff, utilities, and AHJs
• Monitor progress, report on status, risks, and issues, and resolve project-related conflicts
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations and environmental standards throughout project lifecycle

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience managing full profit and loss (P&L) accountability with operational oversight and KPI responsibility
• 5+ years of experience managing day-to-day operations in complex, time-sensitive environments such as transportation, field services, logistics, hospitality, or similar industries
• Experience with scheduling, staffing, planning, and operational execution
• 5+ years of experience maintaining client-facing relationships and managing customer accounts in an operational environment, with demonstrated ability to deliver customer service to both external clients and internal stakeholders
• Experience managing salaried leaders and/or coordinating across multiple departments
• Track record of career progression supported by relevant certifications or continuing education, with demonstrated success in developing direct reports and building high-performing teams
• Comprehensive understanding of and demonstrated experience with safety practices, protocols, processes, compliance requirements, and regulatory standards

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing in a unionized (CBA) environment
• Prior leadership in transportation start-up or new district launch, including sourcing facilities, implementing IT systems, building teams, and intaking fleet vehicles
• Demonstrated experience successfully managing through periods of rapid organizational growth or major management/structural changes
• Proficiency with Microsoft or G Suite applications (Sheets, Docs, Slides)

$100,000 - $115,000 a year

Zūm Services, Inc. and all its subsidiaries provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.