Operations Manager, Contract Logistics

Forward Air Corp.; Atlanta (GA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Forward Air Corp. is seeking an Operations Manager to provide day-to-day leadership for contract logistics operations. You will drive service delivery, safety, quality, and productivity while managing workforce effectiveness and P&L across assigned areas.

You will lead Supervisors and frontline teams, translate site objectives into disciplined execution, and partner with engineering, maintenance, and support functions to improve performance and customer satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree or higher in supply chain, logistics, or related field.
• 5+ years in transportation, supply chain, 3PL/contract logistics, manufacturing, or similar operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations across functional areas, shifts, and networks to ensure service commitments.
• Drive disciplined execution of operational plans aligned with customer requirements and service levels.
• Own KPIs related to safety, quality, delivery, service, cost, and productivity.
• Lead safety culture and compliance with OSHA, DOT, and site procedures.
• Identify and lead continuous improvement initiatives to improve labor efficiency and throughput.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to align operations with customer commitments.

Skills

Leadership

Operations management

KPIs & metrics

LEAN/Six Sigma

WMS/TMS/ERP

Safety compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain/Logistics or related field

Tools

WMS

TMS

ERP

MS Office

Job description

• Locations 4370 Old Dixie Road, Atlanta, GA, 30354, US (On-site)
• Job Category Operations: Leadership
• Job Category Logistics and Transportation
• Job Function Operations

Job Description

The Operations Manager provides day-to-day operational leadership for our contract logistics operations. They are accountable for service delivery, operational performance, safety, quality, productivity, and workforce effectiveness across assigned functional areas, shifts, or value streams. This role translates site objectives into disciplined execution by leading Supervisors, Team Leads, and frontline teams. They maintain significant responsibility for P&L, workforce management, productivity performance, cost control, and meeting customer and operational commitments. With proven leadership experience in transportation, warehousing, or supply chain operations, they play a critical role in ensuring operational stability, improving performance, and elevating customer satisfaction.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations across assigned functional areas, shifts, transportation networks, warehouse processes, or value streams to ensure consistent execution of service commitments.
• Drive disciplined execution of operational plans that align with customer requirements, service levels, and broader site or network objectives.
• Serve as the primary operational escalation point for service, quality, throughput, routing, capacity, or execution issues.
• Enforce adherence to standard work, operating procedures, regulatory requirements, and established operating rhythms.
• Own operational Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) related to safety, quality, delivery, service, cost, and productivity within assigned scope.
• Lead daily, weekly, and monthly performance reviews, using metrics and dashboards to assess results and drive corrective actions.
• Identify, prioritize, and lead continuous improvement initiatives aimed at improving labor efficiency, equipment utilization, throughput, routing efficiency, accuracy, and service reliability.
• Apply structured problem-solving and root cause analysis to eliminate recurring operational or service issues.
• Lead safety culture and performance for assigned areas; reinforce compliance with safety policies, procedures, and applicable regulations (e.g., OSHA, DOT).
• Ensure quality standards are consistently met through audits, corrective actions, issue containment, and adherence to defined processes.
• Manage workforce planning, staffing levels, scheduling, labor deployment, and productivity targets to align resources with demand fluctuations.
• Monitor variable costs, labor spend, and operational expenses within assigned scope, taking corrective action when needed.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and financial reviews by providing accurate operational inputs and cost visibility.
• Drive cost awareness and financial discipline across Supervisors, Team Leads, and frontline associates.
• Lead, coach, develop, and mentor Supervisors and front-line teams, including succession readiness.
• Set clear performance expectations, conduct coaching conversations, and reinforce accountability at all levels.
• Foster employee engagement, teamwork, and a performance-driven, continuous-improvement culture.
• Partner with engineering, continuous improvement, maintenance, quality, transportation, and support functions to improve operational performance.
• Collaborate with account management and site leadership to ensure operational alignment with customer commitments and service expectations.
• Participate in customer discussions, business reviews, and site visits as appropriate, focused on operational execution and performance outcomes.
• All other duties as assigned to meet evolving business needs.

Qualifications

• Education: Undergraduate degree (or higher) in Supply Chain Management, Business, Logistics, or a related field preferred; High School Diploma or GED/equivalent required.
• Certification/Licensure: Valid forklift certification/licensure (or ability to obtain before operating equipment) required, including operation of applicable material handling equipment (MHE) such as sit-down/stand-up forklifts, reach trucks, order pickers, pallet riders, or other specialized MHE as required by the site. Additional equipment certifications may be required depending on facility needs.
• 5+ years' experience in transportation, supply chain, 3PL/contract logistics, manufacturing, or similar operational environments.
• Demonstrated experience leading Supervisors or multi-level teams in high-volume, complex operational settings.
• Strong experience using dashboards, KPIs, and operational metrics to drive accountability and improve results.
• Strong understanding of workforce planning, labor management, productivity measurement, and cost control.
• Working knowledge of Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Transportation Management Systems (TMS), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and reporting/data tools.
• Experience with LEAN, Six Sigma, Kaizen, or other structured continuous improvement methodologies applied in live operations.
• Equipment: Ability to safely operate material handling equipment (MHE) such as pallet jacks, dollies, hand trucks, order pickers, pallet riders, conveyors, dock plates, dock levelers, sit-down/stand-up forklifts and reach trucks (with company-assisted certification/training), and/or other specialized MHE as required by the site.
• Physical Demands: Extensive standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and twisting for 8-12 hours per/shift, with the ability to lift, push, pull, and carry freight up to 50lbs without assistance, with occasional lifting of freight up to 75lbs with assistance or mechanical aids throughout each 8-12 hour shift, multiple times per/week.
• Environment: Ability to work safely around moving equipment, vehicles, and freight in a non-climate-controlled environment, including frequent exposure to temperature extremes (both hot and cold), occasional outdoor work and/or exposure to precipitation (rain, sleet, snow, etc.), regular exposure to moving equipment, vehicle traffic, exhaust, dust, and moderate to loud noise.
• Demonstrated discretion and confidentiality in handling and protecting sensitive information.
• Technical: Proficient with common office technologies, including Windows PCs, Microsoft O365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and web conferencing (Teams, Zoom, Webex, etc.)
• Environment: Comfort commuting to/from and working in a 100% on-site setting (listed in this posting), with occasional travel for related meetings, events, and client engagements.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Compensation: Competitive base pay based on experience, industry/geographic benchmarks and internal equity. Some positions may be eligible for incentive pay programs and/or equity-based incentives. Pay ranges published on job boards are not provided nor verified by the Company.
• Health: Medical and Pharmacy insurance; Health Savings Account (HSA); Vision; Dental; Life and Disability; Critical Illness; Accident Indemnity; Hospital Indemnity; On-demand telehealth via Teladoc; Employee Assistance Program (counseling and financial/lifestyle coaching).
• Wealth: 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match; Employee stock purchase program; Flexible Spending Account (FSA); Commuter Benefits; LegalEASE legal coverage.
• Time: 7 paid holidays and generous Paid Time Off (PTO) tiers ranging from 10-25 days annually.
• Culture: A collaborative, transformation-driven, solutions-first environment full of "can do" attitude and "will do" work ethic.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Agencies: The Company does not accept unsolicited outreach from third parties. Absent an agreement signed by internal Talent Acquisition and Procurement, and a documented request from Talent Acquisition to submit candidates for a specified requisition, we will not approve payments to any third party.
• Work Authorization: Within the United States, the Company is an E-Verify employer. Unless otherwise indicated, U.S.-based workers must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship, including but not limited to F-1, H-1, H-2, L, J, and TN visas, etc.
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI): The Company is proud to be an equal opportunity employer . Applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or veteran status.
• Reasonable Accommodations: Physical/mental requirements are listed only to identify where potential accommodations may be needed, not as qualification standards. In compliance with applicable laws and regulations (including ADA, ADEA, and FMLA), accommodations may be available to qualified individuals unable to perform essential duties without them. Additional requirements may apply to meet legal, regulatory, and Company standards.
• Recruitment Fraud: We will only contact you from @forwardair.com or @omnilogistics.com emails (system messages may come from @workflow.email.us-phoenix-1.ocs.oraclecloud.com). If reached via Indeed or LinkedIn, verify recruiters by reviewing their LinkedIn profiles. We will never request sensitive personal information outside secure systems, nor ask for purchases. Report suspected scams to the Federal Trade Commission and your state Attorney General .