Terminal Manager

None; Joliet (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Performance-based compensation

Back-office support

Autonomy to run your terminal

Job summary

A logistics firm is seeking a Terminal Manager for their new drayage terminal in Joliet, Illinois. This role involves building and leading a team, managing full P&L ownership, and leveraging existing relationships in the industry. Successful candidates will have a profound knowledge of drayage operations and must have a proven track record in scaling terminals. The position offers a competitive salary and performance-based compensation in a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Existing network of owner-operators or a proven track record of building one.
• Active shipper relationships in Consumer Products, Pharma, or Automotive supply chains.
• Real drayage knowledge including chassis availability and port turns.
• Experience scaling a terminal, not just managing one.
• Ability to work hands-on and lead a team.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead a new drayage terminal.
• Maintain and expand relationships with owner-operators and shippers.
• Manage full profit and loss ownership for the terminal.

Skills

Building networks of owner-operators

Active shipper relationships in Consumer Products

Real drayage knowledge

Experience in scaling terminals

Ability to close freight

Job description

Terminal Manager – Drayage Operations | Build & Lead a New Division

We're a growing 3PL with national reach and national customer relationships we're opening a dedicated drayage terminal. We need a proven operator — not someone who manages a terminal, but someone who knows how to stand one up.

This role is for a leader who has done it before: recruited and retained owner-operators, navigated port and rail relationships, and walked into shipper meetings with credibility already in the room.

What you bring:

• An existing network of owner-operators who move with you — or a proven track record of building one fast
• Active shipper relationships in Consumer Products (think Walmart, Target, Costco-level retail DCs), Pharma distribution, or Automotive supply chain
• Real drayage knowledge — chassis availability, port turns, free time, demurrage, the whole picture
• Experience standing up or scaling a terminal, not just running one at steady state
• The ability to be player-coach: you can work the phones and close freight while building your team

What we offer:

• Full P&L ownership of a new terminal
• Competitive base salary + performance-based compensation tied to gross profit
• Infrastructure, back-office support, and a company committed to this space long-term
• The autonomy to run it like your own — because in a lot of ways, it will be

If you've built something before and want to do it again with real backing behind you — let's talk.