Manager, Ground Operations

DSV - Global Transport and Logistics; Kent (WA); On-site; USD 99,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance (health) and dental/

Vision insurance

Life insurance

FSAs/HSAs

Short- and long-term disability

Wellness resources

Employee Assistance Program

401(k) with company match (up to 5%)

Paid time off

Holidays

Job summary

DSV – Global transport and logistics is seeking a Ground Operations Manager in Seattle, WA. You will lead a team responsible for air/shipping dispatch, carrier relationships, and performance, coordinating with operations and customer service to ensure reliable capacity and competitive costs.

The role requires extensive carrier sales and leadership experience, with a focus on delivering efficient freight movements, optimizing processes, and promoting strong internal/external collaboration within

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of carrier sales, carrier procurement, transportation, or freight brokerage experience.
• Minimum 2 years of supervisory, team leadership, or demonstrated lead experience.
• Minimum 2 years of domestic freight brokerage experience.
• 5+ years of carrier sales, transportation, or freight brokerage experience preferred.
• 3+ years of leadership experience within a transportation, operations, or brokerage environment preferred.
• Spanish language skills (verbal) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of operators handling air shipment dispatching.
• Provide day-to-day direction and support to the Air&Sea team to ensure coverage and priorities.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with carriers for capacity, pricing, and service.
• Negotiate carrier rates and terms balancing capacity, profitability, and service expectations.
• Identify and develop new carrier relationships to expand capacity.
• Support carrier sourcing and capacity procurement strategies based on shipments and market conditions.
• Monitor freight activity and carrier performance for timely execution and compliance.
• Assist team with complex issues and provide guidance on resolutions.
• Collaborate with internal teams to resolve service issues and support freight execution.
• Monitor KPIs and identify performance gaps and improvement opportunities.
• Develop SOPs and process improvements to increase efficiency.
• Support training and development of Air&Sea team members.

Skills

Leadership

Carrier sourcing

Communication

Negotiation

Data analysis

MS Office

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

High school diploma or GED

Bachelor’s degree in Logistics/SCM/Business

Job description

DSV – Global transport and logistics

What moves you?

At DSV, we move more than goods. We move careers, ambitions and opportunities.

With close to 150,000 colleagues in over 90 countries, we are the global leader in transport and logistics, and it is our people who bring our services and solutions to life every day. From frontline operations to business functions, every role contributes to keeping supply chains flowing and societies running.

Here, you are trusted to take ownership, act on your ideas and make decisions that create real impact. It is a place where people, careers and ideas keep moving forward. We value transparency in how we communicate and collaborate, and we win together by supporting each other, challenging each other and delivering results as a team.

Start here. Go anywhere

This is our promise of movement. A promise that your work matters, your contribution counts, and your career can move as far as your ambition takes it.

If you are looking to make an impact, grow your career and be part of something bigger, DSV is the place to be.

Visit dsv.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook

#StartHereGoAnywhere

Location: Seattle, WA

Division: Air & Sea US

Job Posting Title: Manager, Ground Operations - 129806

Time Type: Full Time

Summary

The Ground Operations Manager is responsible for leading the relationship between DSV Road freight brokerage operations, Air&Sea gateways, and Air&Sea dispatch department. This role oversees day-to-day carrier sales and capacity procurement activities, drives team performance, develops and maintains carrier relationships, and supports the successful execution of freight movements. The Ground Operations Manager partners closely with operations, customer service, and other internal teams to ensure reliable capacity, competitive carrier costs, service performance, and operational efficiency while aligning team activities with company goals and customer requirements.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of operators handling air shipment dispatching, including establishing performance expectations, providing ongoing feedback, monitoring performance, and conducting performance evaluations.
• Provide day-to-day direction and support to the Air&Sea team to ensure appropriate coverage, workload distribution, responsiveness, and execution of operational priorities.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with new and existing carriers to ensure reliable capacity, competitive pricing, service performance, and responsiveness to business needs.
• Negotiate carrier rates and service terms while balancing capacity requirements, profitability, market conditions, and customer service expectations.
• Identify, qualify, and develop new carrier relationships to expand the carrier network and strengthen available capacity across markets and service offerings.
• Support carrier sourcing and capacity procurement strategies based on shipment requirements, market conditions, customer needs, and business priorities.
• Monitor freight activity and carrier performance to ensure timely execution, proactive communication, and compliance with customer and company requirements.
• Assist team members with complex carrier, capacity, pricing, or service-related issues and provide guidance on appropriate resolution.
• Collaborate with operations, customer service, account management, and other internal teams to resolve service issues and support effective freight execution.
• Monitor and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs), carrier performance, productivity, and other operational metrics to identify trends, performance gaps, and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop and implement best practices, standard operating procedures, and process improvements to increase consistency, productivity, service quality, and operational efficiency.
• Support training and development of Air&Sea team members, including onboarding, systems training, carrier negotiation, market knowledge, and operational processes.
• Promote effective communication and collaboration across the Air&Sea team and with internal business partners.
• Support company culture, policies, procedures, and strategic objectives through consistent leadership and communication.
• Perform other duties and projects as assigned.

Qualifications & Experience

• High school diploma or GED required. Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of carrier sales, carrier procurement, transportation, or freight brokerage experience required.
• Minimum 2 years of supervisory, team leadership, or demonstrated lead experience required.
• Minimum 2 years of domestic freight brokerage experience required.
• Strong understanding of freight brokerage operations, carrier markets, capacity procurement, transportation pricing, and industry practices required.
• 5+ years of carrier sales, transportation, or freight brokerage experience preferred.
• 3+ years of leadership experience within a transportation, operations, or brokerage environment preferred.
• Spanish language skills (verbal) preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership, coaching, employee development, and performance management skills.
• Strong knowledge of carrier sourcing, capacity procurement, freight brokerage, and transportation operations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Strong negotiation, influencing, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to lead and prioritize work in a fast-paced, time-sensitive operational environment.
• Strong organizational skills with a high level of attention to detail.
• Ability to analyze operational and performance data, identify trends, and implement appropriate solutions or process improvements.
• Strong problem-solving skills and sound business judgment.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and respond effectively to changing business and operational needs.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across departments and build productive internal and external relationships.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. The employee is regularly required to sit for extended periods while working on a computer and using a telephone. Frequent use of hands and fingers to operate office equipment and computer systems is required. The role may involve occasional standing, walking, bending, or reaching. Specific vision abilities include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Occasional travel by car or air may be required.

Work Environment

This position operates primarily in an office environment with a low to moderate noise level. The role involves frequent interaction with internal employees, customers, and external carriers through telephone, email, messaging systems, and other communication platforms. The position may occasionally require extended or non-standard work hours based on business needs, shipment activity, market conditions, or service disruptions. The work environment is fast-paced and time-sensitive and requires the ability to respond effectively to changing operational priorities while maintaining service, productivity, and communication standards.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position, consistent with applicable law.

At Will Employment

DSV Road Transport, Inc. employees are hired for an undefined period of time as “at will” employees. This means that an employee may be terminated for any reason, or no reason at all, at any time, provided the discharge does not violate any law. Additionally, each employee has the right to terminate his/her employment at any time. Except if employed in Montana, where termination requires just cause.

For this position, the expected base pay range is $99,072.00 - $123,840.00 annually. Actual compensation will be determined based on job-related factors, including relevant experience, skills, education or certifications, and geographic location, consistent with applicable laws and company policy.

DSV offers a comprehensive benefits program designed to support the health and well-being of employees and their families. Benefits include medical, prescription, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as flexible spending accounts (FSAs), health savings accounts (HSAs) (for eligible plans), and short- and long-term disability coverage.

Employees also have access to wellness resources, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services, and other support benefits. Financial benefits include participation in the DSV 401(k) plan, which provides company matching contributions of up to 5%.

To support work-life balance, DSV offers various paid time off programs and paid company holidays. Specific PTO and leave programs may vary by location and division in accordance with state or local laws.

Equal Employment Opportunity

DSV is an equal employment opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, ancestry, disability, veteran status, marital status, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law. If you require special assistance or accommodation while seeking employment with DSV, please contact Human Resources at [e-mail]. If you are interested in learning the status of your application, please note you will be contacted directly by the appropriate human resources contact person if you are selected for further consideration. DSV reserves the right to defer or close a vacancy at any time.