Operations Manager - Project Logistics

Irving Knight Group; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Irving Knight Group in Houston, Texas, seeks an Operations Manager for project logistics and freight forwarding to drive productivity and oversee end-to-end shipments. You will coordinate with clients and suppliers, monitor performance, and ensure regulatory compliance across global operations.

The role requires hands-on leadership in ocean and ground logistics, strong carrier negotiations, and experience with project-based charters or vessel/air arrangements.

Qualifications

• Experience in ocean and ground project logistics, including breakbulk and OOG shipments.
• Proven ability to negotiate favorable terms with carriers and suppliers.
• Strong leadership and team management capabilities.
• Experience coordinating with clients and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Drive productivity, quality and world-class service by aligning resources and monitoring performance metrics.
• Lead client and supplier engagement meetings and business development support.
• Negotiate with carriers and suppliers to secure favorable terms and cost efficiencies.
• Oversee client communication and proactive follow-up during project execution.
• Ensure service excellence and compliance with international shipping regulations.
• Supervise staff, monitor shipment tracking and resolve in-transit issues.
• Manage budgets, project plans, and resource allocations; review financials.

Skills

Ocean and ground project logistics

Breakbulk / OOG experience

Vendor negotiations

Team leadership

Client relationship management

Job description

Title: Operations Manager - Project Logistics Freight Forwarding

Location: Houston, Texas, USA

Package: $140,000-$110,000 (depending on candidate) + bonus + full medical + life insurance + additional

Company:

A global air, ocean and ground project logistics freight forwarder.

Responsibilities:

• Driving productivity, quality and world-class service by aligning resources, setting clear role expectations and monitoring performance metrics.
• Leading client and supplier engagement meetings, networking opportunities and business development support.
• Leading vendor negotiations to secure favourable terms and cost efficiencies.
• Overseeing client communication throughout project execution and ensuring proactive follow-up on completion.
• Overseeing daily operations to ensure service excellence and compliance with international shipping regulations.
• Supervising staff, monitoring shipment tracking and proactively resolving in-transit issues.
• Ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget, with continuous monitoring throughout execution.
• Managing teams, third parties and contractors to meet operational requirements.
• Conducting coordination meetings with logistics and project teams to streamline shipment processes.
• Fostering a high-performance culture and driving commitment to team goals.
• Enhancing team capability through targeted learning, development and coaching initiatives.
• Representing the company brand and promoting service capabilities to clients and suppliers.
• Managing new business enquiries and supporting commercial follow-up.
• Engaging with senior management to align operational goals and improve performance.
• Maintaining compliance with industry regulations and business auditing requirements.
• Managing budgets, project plans, cost forecasts and resource allocations.
• Reviewing financial documentation, accruals, billing and operational reporting.
• Preparing weekly and monthly updates on inquiries, deliverables and commercial matters.

Requirements:

• Experience in OCEAN AND GROUND project / breakbulk / OOG logistics.
• Experience in carrier terms negotiations with good relationships (e.g. Mammoet / AAL etc.)
• Experience in vessel or air chartering (full vessel charter is a plus).
• BONUS - Experience in mining / energy (green energy) / data center verticals is a plus.
• BONUS - a proficient or native speaker of Spanish or Portuguese (NOT A REQUIREMENT)
• BONUS - a background at a project logistics carrier e.g. SAL or BBC Chartering etc.
• Strong understanding of international trade documentation requirements.
• Knowledge of project management methodology.
• Strong teamwork, judgment, information gathering and problem-solving skills.
• Tenacious, flexible, reliable, decisive and committed to excellence and execution.
• Experience managing client services and subcontractor relationships.
• Confident communicator with the ability to engage clients, suppliers and internal stakeholders.