Operantions Manager

DHL Global Forwarding; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

DHL Global Forwarding is seeking an Operations Manager to lead daily operations at our Kansas City, MO or St. Louis, MO locations. You will supervise teams, oversee air/ocean freight and customs processes, and ensure service quality and regulatory compliance.

The role requires strong leadership, communication, and a track record in logistics operations, with the ability to drive improvements and work with cross-functional teams across the network.

Qualifications

• International freight forwarding experience required.
• CargoWise experience is a major plus.
• Proven track record in people management and leadership roles.
• Must be willing to develop to the next level of management (Station Manager).
• Exceptional communication skills (verbal, written, presentations).
• Strong computer skills in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Responsibilities

• Oversees and coordinates all transactional operations (Air Export/Import and Customs activities).
• Manages Team Agents, Specialists and leaders (supervisors).
• Oversees desk-level functions to support staff during high-volume periods.
• Ensures operations meet customer requirements and takes corrective actions as needed.
• Ensures compliance with regulatory rules and internal procedures.
• Provides guidelines to Export, Import and Gateway to align with strategy.
• Monitors quality and drives continuous improvement.
• Develops a high-performance service culture within Export and Import Departments.
• Monitors budgetary performance by setting and tracking objectives.
• Interfaces with Customer Service, Product, and Global Service Centers as required.
• Collaborates with Station Manager to shape direction and execute strategy.
• Performs additional tasks as assigned by Station Manager.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Communication

Quality focus

Positive attitude

Willingness to develop

Commercial experience

Supervisory experience

Tools

CargoWise

Microsoft Office

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for an OPERATIONS MANAGER to manage our daily operations. This position will be based at our Kansas City, MO or St. Louis, MO location.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversees and coordinates all transactional operations (Air Export / Import and Customs activities), adhering to regulations and internal procedures.
• Manages Team Agents, Specialists and leaders (supervisors)
• Oversees execution of desk-level functions (such as file processing and customer service) to support staff during high-volume periods, vacations, etc. (minimal)
• Ensures all Operations teams meet customer requirements and takes corrective actions in case of deviations from requirements.
• Ensures all compliance and regulatory rules and guidelines are followed / met.
• Provides guidelines to Export, Import and Gateway to ensure transactional operations are consistent with group business strategy and compliant with the local business environment.
• Monitors quality and adherence to standards and is responsible for constant improvement and optimization of product means.
• Develops a high-performance service culture within the Export and Import Departments
• Ensures realization of budgetary performance by setting and monitoring clear objectives
• Manages interface with Customer Service, Product, and Global Service Centers as required.
• Works closely with Station Manager to shape station direction and execute strategy.
• Performs additional tasks as assigned by Station Manager

Skills / Requirements

• International freight forwarding experience required. Air Import / Export, Ocean Export / Import, Customs Brokerage experience is a plus (especially air).
• Experience using the Cargo Wise software is a major plus.
• Proven track record in people management role (leadership, motivation and people skills)
• Must be willing to develop necessary skills to advance to next level of management (Station Manager)
• Positive attitude with a commitment to quality
• Commercial (sales) experience is a plus.
• Minimum of 5 years supervisory experience within the logistics / transportation industry preferred.
• Exceptional communication skills (verbal, written, and presentations)
• Strong computer skills: Microsoft (i.e. Excel, Word, PowerPoint, & Outlook)