Operations Manager – Tradeshow Transportation (West Chicago, IL)

CS Recruiting; West Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

CS Recruiting is seeking an Operations Manager – Tradeshow Transportation for West Chicago, IL. This on-site role oversees a high-volume, time-sensitive transportation operation with a focus on cost control and strategic leadership.

Responsibilities include coaching the operations team, refining processes, expanding carrier relationships, and driving growth in a smaller, entrepreneurial environment. Experience in trade show logistics is highly preferred.

Qualifications

• 5-15 years of transportation operations experience.
• Strong transportation management and people leadership experience.
• Experience building and developing teams.

Responsibilities

• Coach, develop, and manage the operations team.
• Lead daily transportation operations across a high-volume, time-sensitive operation.
• Refine and improve operational processes and SOPs.
• Develop scalable infrastructure to support future growth.
• Manage transportation execution while maintaining service levels and protecting margins.
• Continue expanding and cultivating carrier relationships.
• Take a proactive approach to problem-solving and process improvement.
• Move beyond transactional freight execution and become a strategic operational leader.

Skills

Transportation operations

People leadership

Cost management

Job description

Operations Manager – Tradeshow Transportation (West Chicago, IL)

• Type: Direct Hire
• Job: 12165

With over 55+ years of combined experience, our client aims to be your preferred transportation partner. They are large enough to provide excellent costs but small enough to care.

Our client offers a comprehensive range of solutions for your shipping needs. They have volume rates and capacity with regional fleets who specialize in moving less than full load freight to various points throughout the country. They focus primarily on high-value, time-sensitive, and time-definite transportation supporting trade shows, events, experiential marketing, conventions, and related industries.

The Position

Job Title: Operations Manager – Tradeshow Transportation

Job Type: Full-time; On-site

Responsibilities

• Coach, develop, and manage the operations team.
• Lead daily transportation operations across a high-volume, time-sensitive operation.
• Refine and improve operational processes and SOPs.
• Develop scalable infrastructure to support future growth.
• Manage transportation execution while maintaining service levels and protecting margins.
• Continue expanding and cultivating carrier relationships.
• Take a proactive approach to problem-solving and process improvement.
• Move beyond transactional freight execution and become a strategic operational leader.

Experience

• 5-15 years of transportation operations experience.
• Strong transportation management and people leadership experience.
• Experience building and developing teams.
• Experience managing domestic transportation operations.
• Hands-on operational leadership style.
• Experience with FTL, LTL, expedited, and time-critical freight.
• Experience managing transportation costs, service levels, and margins.
• Strong process improvement background.
• Comfortable operating within a smaller, entrepreneurial environment.
• Trade show and event logistics experience is highly preferred.

Location: West Chicago, IL

Compensation Details: This position offers a competitive base salary.