Automotive Operations Manager

The Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing and optimizing day-to-day business operations, including transportation, fleet management, warehouse operations, maintenance, safety, and regulatory compliance. This position provides strategic and hands-on leadership to ensure operational efficiency, cost control, asset utilization, and exceptional customer service.

The successful candidate will lead operational teams, develop scalable processes, establish performance metrics, and drive continuous improvement across multiple locations and business functions.

Key Responsibilities

Operations & Leadership

• Oversee daily operations across transportation, warehouse, dispatch, fleet, and administrative functions.
• Lead, develop, and manage operational managers and frontline personnel across multiple locations.
• Establish operational standards, policies, procedures, and performance expectations.
• Drive operational improvements, scalability, and business growth.
• Coordinate cross-functional activities to ensure efficient workflows and service delivery.

Fleet & Transportation Management

• Oversee fleet utilization, maintenance, equipment availability, and transportation performance.
• Develop preventive maintenance programs to minimize downtime and reduce operating expenses.
• Manage vendor relationships, maintenance contracts, and equipment lifecycle planning.
• Monitor fleet productivity, operating costs, and asset utilization.
• Ensure reliable transportation and delivery operations.

Warehouse & Distribution

• Manage warehouse operations, inventory movement, distribution, and logistics activities.
• Optimize facility utilization, material flow, staffing, and operational capacity.
• Establish processes to improve productivity, throughput, and customer service.
• Ensure efficient coordination between warehouse, transportation, and fulfillment teams.

Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and industry safety regulations.
• Develop and enforce safety programs, training, documentation, and audit procedures.
• Identify operational risks and implement corrective action plans.
• Maintain compliance with DOT, FMCSA, OSHA, and other applicable regulatory requirements.

Financial & Performance Management

• Develop and manage operating budgets, maintenance expenses, and departmental costs.
• Identify opportunities to reduce operating expenses and improve profitability.
• Establish and monitor KPIs related to productivity, utilization, service levels, downtime, and cost performance.
• Analyze operational data to identify trends and implement sustainable improvements.

Process Improvement & Technology

• Identify opportunities to streamline processes and improve operational efficiency.
• Implement and optimize operational systems, including TMS, fleet management, and digital reporting platforms.
• Develop standardized operating procedures and performance reporting mechanisms.
• Lead continuous improvement and operational transformation initiatives.

Qualifications & Experience

• 10+ years of progressive operations management experience.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing transportation, logistics, fleet, warehouse, or distribution operations.
• Experience managing multi-site operations and large, diverse teams.
• Proven ability to manage budgets, control operating costs, and improve business performance.
• Strong understanding of fleet maintenance, transportation operations, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience implementing operational systems, KPIs, and standardized procedures.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations Management, Logistics, or a related field preferred, or equivalent experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing large-scale transportation or distribution networks.
• Knowledge of DOT, FMCSA, OSHA, and applicable transportation regulations.
• Experience with Transportation Management Systems (TMS), Electronic Logging Devices (ELD), and fleet management platforms.
• Demonstrated success improving operational performance, reducing costs, and supporting business expansion.