Warehouse Operations Manager

FlexTek; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

FlexTek is seeking an Operations Manager to oversee high-volume airport cargo and warehouse operations in a 24/7 environment. You will lead frontline teams, coordinate dock activities, and ensure safe, on-time freight movement while meeting airline and customer service standards.

In this hands-on leadership role, you will drive staffing, monitor KPIs, and implement process improvements to increase throughput and efficiency across cargo, receiving, staging, build-up/breakdown, and warehouse

Qualifications

• 18+ years of age and eligible to work in the United States.
• 5+ years of leadership experience in cargo, warehouse, or logistics.
• Experience managing large frontline teams in fast-paced, high-volume operations.
• Strong knowledge of safety, security, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience with warehouse, cargo, or logistics management systems preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Willingness to work onsite in a 24/7 airport cargo operation.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily high-volume airport cargo and warehouse operations.
• Lead supervisors, cargo agents, and frontline employees.
• Ensure timely movement and processing of inbound/outbound air cargo.
• Meet airline, customer, and SLA requirements consistently.
• Monitor KPIs: throughput, productivity, labor, on-time performance, accuracy, safety.
• Plan staffing and labor allocation based on flight schedules and demand.
• Coordinate dock activities to minimize congestion and delays.
• Partner with airline management, ground handling, trucking, TSA, and airport stakeholders.
• Identify bottlenecks and implement process improvements.
• Maintain compliance with safety and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct safety meetings, audits, and performance reviews.
• Coach frontline staff and address performance and attendance.
• Support new airline/customer implementations and operational projects.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Decision-making

Safety awareness

Tools

Warehouse management systems

Job description

The Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing high-volume airport cargo and warehouse operations, ensuring the safe, efficient, and timely movement of freight through the facility. This role leads frontline operations across cargo handling, receiving, staging, build-up/breakdown, loading/unloading, dock operations, and warehouse activities while maintaining airline service standards, safety requirements, and operational KPIs.

This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for managing large teams in a fast-paced, high-volume cargo environment, maintaining appropriate staffing levels, improving operational performance, and ensuring freight is processed accurately and on schedule.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee daily high-volume airport cargo and warehouse operations, including receiving, shipping, loading/unloading, staging, build-up/breakdown, and freight movement
• Lead supervisors, leads, cargo agents, warehouse associates, and other frontline employees
• Manage the timely movement and processing of inbound and outbound air cargo
• Ensure airline and customer service requirements, contractual obligations, and SLAs are consistently achieved
• Monitor operational KPIs including cargo throughput, productivity, labor utilization, on-time performance, freight accuracy, damages, safety, and service quality
• Manage staffing, scheduling, and labor allocation based on flight schedules, cargo volume, and operational demand
• Coordinate warehouse and dock activities to maintain efficient freight flow and minimize congestion or delays
• Partner with airline station management, airport operations, ground handling teams, trucking providers, TSA/security personnel, and other airport stakeholders
• Monitor daily cargo volumes and adjust manpower and resources to meet changing operational demands
• Identify operational bottlenecks and implement process improvements to increase throughput and efficiency
• Ensure proper handling, documentation, storage, and movement of cargo in accordance with customer and regulatory requirements
• Maintain compliance with airport security, TSA requirements, OSHA standards, and applicable local, state, and federal regulations
• Investigate and report accidents, injuries, cargo damage, security incidents, and operational irregularities
• Conduct safety meetings, operational audits, and employee performance reviews
• Coach and develop frontline supervisors and employees while maintaining accountability for performance, attendance, safety, and quality
• Collaborate with senior leadership to address operational gaps, customer concerns, irregular operations, and audit findings
• Manage operational disruptions and peak-volume periods while maintaining customer service and cargo flow
• Support new airline/customer implementations, station startups, and operational projects
• Backfill open leadership positions when necessary to maintain operational continuity
• Perform additional duties as assigned by management

QUALIFICATIONS

• 18 years of age or older
• Eligible to work in the United States
• 5+ years of leadership experience in cargo, warehouse, distribution, logistics, 3PL, ground handling, or other high-volume operations
• Demonstrated experience managing large frontline teams in a fast-paced, high-volume operation
• Strong experience with warehouse, cargo, dock, shipping/receiving, or freight operations
• Airport cargo or aviation operations experience strongly preferred
• Experience managing operational KPIs, labor productivity, staffing, scheduling, and service levels
• Strong understanding of workplace safety, security, and operational compliance
• Experience with warehouse, cargo, or logistics management systems preferred
• Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Ability to effectively manage changing priorities, peak volumes, and operational disruptions
• Project management or startup experience is a plus
• Must have a valid state-issued driver's license with an acceptable driving record
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to pass required background checks, drug screening, and airport security/badging requirements
• Ability to work onsite and remain flexible to support a 24/7 airport cargo operation
• Ability to work extended hours when necessary to support operational needs

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY / WORKING CONDITIONS

• Ability to lift up to 70 pounds
• Prolonged standing and walking in warehouse, cargo, ramp, and dock environments
• Frequent exposure to active material-handling and cargo operations
• Ability to reach, grasp, push, pull, bend, squat, kneel, and crouch as necessary
• Exposure to moderate and occasionally high noise levels
• Ability to work in varying indoor and outdoor temperatures
• Ability to hear and respond to verbal communication and audible safety alarms
• Tasks may involve repetitive motions of the arms, wrists, hands, and/or fingers
• Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus