Operations Supervisor

Forward Air Corp.; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 59,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Forward Air Corp. seeks an Operations Supervisor to lead day-to-day multimodal transportation and logistics operations, ensuring safe and efficient execution across the service processes.

You will direct frontline teams, focus on safety, quality, and customer service, and drive continuous improvement in a fast-paced environment. The role reports to site leadership and requires 3+ years in warehouse or logistics operations with supervisory experience, forklift certification, and English

Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma or GED; Associate’s degree in related field preferred.
• Forklift certification/licensure required; ability to obtain certification and operate MHE.
• 3+ years of experience in warehouse/ distribution/ transportation with supervisory responsibilities.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English (verbal and written).
• Familiarity with WMS, TMS, ERP and reporting tools.
• Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, 5S, Kaizen, or similar continuous improvement tools.
• Proficient with common office technologies (Windows, O365).
• On-site work environment; ability to work in a 100% on-site setting.

Responsibilities

• Supervise daily operational activities across logistics workflows.
• Coordinate and prioritize work for team members to meet service, safety, and productivity targets.
• Ensure safe, accurate handling of inventory, freight, and equipment.
• Monitor workflow, resource utilization, labor, and equipment usage.
• Ensure adherence to SOPs, work instructions, and change control processes.
• Support audits and compliance related to quality, safety, and regulatory standards.
• Lead problem-solving for service issues and process gaps.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, Six Sigma, 5S, Kaizen).
• Identify opportunities to improve accuracy, efficiency, cost control, and service performance.
• Escalate issues and collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Skills

Leadership

English communication

Lean Six Sigma

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate’s degree preferred

Tools

WMS

TMS

ERP

Reporting tools

Windows O365

Job description

Operations Supervisor is responsible for leading day-to-day activities across multimodal transportation, supply chain, and/or contract logistics operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and accurate execution of core service processes. This role provides direct leadership to frontline associates and is accountable for operational performance, safety, quality, and customer service within the assigned function, area, or shift. They drive productivity, adherence to standard work, and continuous improvement while supporting customer commitments and operational excellence goals. They play a critical role in problem-solving, process optimization, and issue resolution in fast-paced operational environments.

Compensation: $65,000 annually

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 5AM - 12PM

Responsibilities

• Supervise daily operational activities, which may include receiving, storage, picking, packing, shipping, dispatching, routing, yard management, or other logistics workflows.
• Coordinate and prioritize work assignments for team members to meet service, quality, safety, and productivity targets.
• Ensure inventory, freight, or equipment is handled, processed, transported, and dispatched safely, accurately, and on time based on operational needs.
• Monitor workflow, resource utilization, labor allocation, and equipment usage to support efficient operational execution.
• Ensure compliance with all safety, environmental, regulatory, and operational policies and procedures.
• Promote and enforce safe work practices, lead safety observations, and actively support facility and/or fleet safety initiatives.
• Ensure adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs), work instructions, and change control processes.
• Support audits and compliance activities related to quality, safety, customer requirements, or regulatory standards (such as OSHA or DOT).
• Lead and support problem-solving activities related to service issues, quality defects, operational delays, process gaps, or customer escalations.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, 5S, Kaizen, or similar methodologies.
• Identify opportunities to enhance accuracy, efficiency, cost control, asset utilization, and service performance.
• Respond to operational issues and service concerns in real time, making timely decisions to minimize disruption.
• Escalate issues appropriately and collaborate with cross-functional teams such as transportation, planning, customer service, engineering, and quality.
• Provide day-to-day leadership, coaching, and direction to frontline associates, supporting performance management and fostering a positive team environment.
• Support training, onboarding, cross-training, and skill development for team members, including safe and compliant operation of equipment.
• All other duties as assigned to meet evolving business needs.

Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED)/equivalent required; Associate’s degree (or higher) in Supply Chain Management, Business, Logistics, Transportation, or a related field preferred.
• 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.
• Experience: 3+ years of experience in warehouse, distribution, transportation, or broader supply chain operations, including supervisory or team lead responsibilities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and supervise frontline teams in fast-paced operational environments with a focus on performance management, engagement, and development.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English (verbal and written).
• Working knowledge of Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Transportation Management Systems (TMS), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and reporting tools.
• Familiarity with operational processes such as inventory management, order fulfillment, transportation dispatch, routing, or dock/yard operations.
• Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, 5S, Kaizen, or similar continuous improvement tools or methodologies.
• Exposure to quality, environmental, regulatory, or safety management systems (e.g., ISO standards, OSHA or DOT requirements as applicable).
• 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.