On-Site Logistics Operations Lead

Forward Air Corporation; Des Plaines (IL); On-site; USD 68,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Forward Air Corporation is seeking an Operations Manager in Des Plaines, IL to lead multimodal transportation, warehousing, and supply chain activities. The role oversees day-to-day execution, safety, quality, and productivity across shifts, with emphasis on workforce management and meeting customer commitments.

Responsibilities include driving disciplined plans, leading supervisors and frontline teams, and partnering with cross-functional functions to continuously improve labor efficiency,

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree or higher in a relevant field preferred; HS diploma accepted.
• Forklift certification or ability to obtain before operating equipment.
• 5+ years in transportation, supply chain, 3PL/contract logistics, or similar.
• Experience leading Supervisors or multi-level teams in high-volume settings.
• Strong use of dashboards, KPIs, and operational metrics to drive results.
• Knowledge of WMS/TMS/ERP and data tools; proficiency with MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations across functional areas, shifts, and networks to meet service commitments.
• Drive disciplined execution aligned with customer requirements and site goals.
• Own safety, quality, throughput, and cost KPIs with regular reviews and improvements.
• Coach Supervisors and frontline teams; develop succession readiness.
• Collaborate with engineering, maintenance, quality, and account management to improve performance.
• Participate in budget, forecasting, and financial review inputs.

Skills

Leadership

KPIs & Dashboards

Workforce Planning

MHE Operations

LEAN / Six Sigma

Operational Excellence

Education

Undergraduate degree in Supply Chain/Business/Logistics

Tools

Windows OS

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Teams/Web conferencing

Job description

Forward Air Corporation is seeking an Operations Manager in Des Plaines, IL to lead multimodal transportation, warehousing, and supply chain activities. The role oversees day-to-day execution, safety, quality, and productivity across shifts, with emphasis on workforce management and meeting customer commitments.

Responsibilities include driving disciplined plans, leading supervisors and frontline teams, and partnering with cross-functional functions to continuously improve labor efficiency,