Operations Manager — Multimodal Logistics & Performance

Forward Air Corporation; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 81,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Forward Air Corporation is seeking an Operations Manager to lead day-to-day multimodal transportation, warehousing, and contract logistics operations. You translate site objectives into disciplined execution by guiding Supervisors, Team Leads, and frontline teams, while owning workforce planning, productivity, and cost control.

The role emphasizes safety, quality, and customer-focused performance with P&L accountability and cross-functional collaboration across engineering, maintenance, quality,

Qualifications

• 5+ years in transportation, supply chain, 3PL/contract logistics, manufacturing, or similar operations.
• Experience leading Supervisors or multi-level teams in high-volume, complex environments.
• Strong use of dashboards, KPIs, and metrics to drive accountability and results.
• Solid understanding of workforce planning, labor management, productivity, and cost control.
• Working knowledge of WMS, TMS, ERP, and reporting/data tools.
• Experience with LEAN, Six Sigma, Kaizen, or related continuous improvement methods.
• Ability to operate MHE safely; forklift certification as required by site.
• Physical agility to stand/walk for long periods and lift up to 50 lbs.
• On-site work environment with exposure to warehouse and transportation settings.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations across assigned areas to ensure service commitments.
• Drive disciplined execution aligned to customer requirements and site objectives.
• Serve as primary escalation point for service, quality, throughput, and routing issues.
• Enforce standard work, SOPs, and regulatory requirements.
• Own KPIs related to safety, quality, delivery, service, cost, and productivity.
• Lead performance reviews and implement corrective actions.
• Identify and lead continuous improvement initiatives to improve labor efficiency and throughput.
• Apply root cause analysis to eliminate recurring issues.
• Foster safety culture and ensure compliance with OSHA/DOT and policies.
• Manage workforce planning, scheduling, and staffing to meet demand.
• Monitor costs and provide cost visibility for budgeting and forecasting.
• Coach and develop Supervisors and frontline teams; drive accountability.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve operational performance.

Skills

Leadership

Operations management

Dashboarding

Continuous improvement

Cost control

Education

Undergraduate degree in Supply Chain / Logistics

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

WMS

TMS

ERP systems

Job description

Forward Air Corporation is seeking an Operations Manager to lead day-to-day multimodal transportation, warehousing, and contract logistics operations. You translate site objectives into disciplined execution by guiding Supervisors, Team Leads, and frontline teams, while owning workforce planning, productivity, and cost control.

The role emphasizes safety, quality, and customer-focused performance with P&L accountability and cross-functional collaboration across engineering, maintenance, quality,