Manager, Operations

This role sits at the center of service center performance-where execution, accountability, and operational precision directly impact profitability, service quality, and customer trust. As Roadrunner continues to scale its high-density, metro-to-metro model, this position ensures that daily operations across the service center run with consistency, discipline, and measurable performance.

The Manager, Operations is responsible for translating strategy into execution-aligning people, processes, and metrics across dock operations, linehaul, pickup and delivery, and administrative functions. Success in this role means driving efficiency without compromising safety or service, improving cost control, and building a team that consistently meets or exceeds operational targets.

This is a mission-critical leadership role for maintaining network integrity and enabling Roadrunner's industry-leading service performance.

What you'll do

1. Lead end-to-end service center execution

• Oversee daily operations across pickup and delivery, dock operations, OS&D, inbound/outbound linehaul, and office functions
• Ensure execution aligns with profitability targets, service standards, and network performance expectations
• Step into supervisory and managerial roles as needed to maintain continuity and performance
• Maintain on-call leadership responsibility for escalations and business-critical issues

2. Drive operational performance and cost control

• Monitor and manage key financial and operational drivers including TOCs, revenue components, labor expenses, and freight manifests
• Develop, track, and communicate performance metrics that align with service center and corporate objectives
• Identify inefficiencies and implement corrective actions to improve throughput, cost efficiency, and service reliability
• Partner with leadership to align operational performance with broader business goals

3. Build, develop, and lead high-performing teams

• Support hiring, onboarding, training, and development of service center personnel
• Evaluate performance and provide structured feedback to drive accountability and growth
• Set clear expectations and align team members to department and service center goals
• Lead by example-modeling professionalism, urgency, and operational discipline

4. Ensure regulatory compliance and risk management

• Partner with Independent Contractors to ensure adherence to safety standards and government regulations
• Maintain readiness for and respond to inquiries from regulatory agencies and government officials
• Safeguard sensitive business and customer information with a high degree of integrity and confidentiality
• Uphold company policies related to HazMat, safety certifications, and equipment operation

5. Strengthen cross-functional coordination

• Collaborate with corporate teams, other service centers, sales teams, agents, and service providers
• Resolve complex issues escalated beyond supervisory levels with speed and clarity
• Participate in cross-functional initiatives that improve operational alignment and network performance
• Communicate clearly across all levels to ensure alignment and execution

What you bring

• Bachelor's degree or 4-5 years of operations management experience in transportation, logistics, or a related field
• Proven experience leading multi-functional operational teams in a fast-paced, service-driven environment
• Strong financial and operational acumen, including experience managing labor, revenue components, and performance metrics
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially Excel) and general business systems; AS/400 experience preferred
• Solid understanding of transportation operations including linehaul, dock, and pickup/delivery workflows
• HazMat certification and forklift qualification (or ability to obtain)
• Strong communication skills with the ability to engage effectively across all levels, including corporate stakeholders and external partners
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data, interpret regulations, and apply logical problem-solving in complex situations
• Experience managing confidential business information with discretion and integrity
• Ability to prioritize, delegate, and manage multiple operational demands simultaneously

How you operate

• You think in systems, not silos-optimizing how operations connect end-to-end
• You own outcomes and hold yourself and others accountable to measurable results
• You move with urgency while maintaining operational discipline and safety standards
• You communicate clearly, directly, and with purpose across all stakeholders
• You make decisions based on data, not assumptions
• You lead from the front-visible, engaged, and setting the standard
• You navigate complexity without losing focus on execution
• You continuously look for ways to improve process, cost, and performance

About Roadrunner

We're not just moving freight; we're reimagining long-haul shipping. Our Smart Network offers more direct long-haul metro-to-metro routes than any other nationwide LTL carrier in the United States, with service extending into Canada and Mexico and terminals across 40+ metro markets. Powered by AI and machine learning, our operations platform ensures real-time tracking, custodial control, and full shipment visibility. With driver teams executing over-the-road (OTR) moves - and no freight moving on rail - customers experience industry-leading transit times, minimal rehandling, and dramatically reduced risk of loss or damage.

Our 900+ owner-operators benefit from scheduled freight, fewer touches by design, consistent long-haul density, and a differentiated metro-to-metro model that creates predictable earning opportunities.

This precision and performance have earned Roadrunner national recognition by over 3,000 shippers, and was ranked this year #1 in Operations, #1 in Technology, and #1 in Value in the Quest for Quality Awards, as well as honors as a Top 100 Trucking Company by Inbound Logistics and a Top Tier Service Carrier by Mastio.

We're growing fast. Roadrunner is building something special with great people, a winning culture and a differentiated service offering in the marketplace. Join us today to grow your career!

We Run Safe. We Run Smart. We Run Together.

Compensation & Setup

• Pay: $75,000-$80,000 base salary
• Location: Onsite - Chicago, IL
• Benefits: Full benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), and paid time off

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

• Heavy physical activity performing strenuous daily activities of a primarily product/technical nature.
• While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, reach/handle items, work with fingers, and talk and hear others in conversations via the phone or in person.
• The employee is occasionally asks to stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb or balance and lift objects up to 100 lbs.

Work Environment

• The noise level is moderate based on general conversation tones, ringing phones and printer operation.
• Works in well-lighted, heated and/or air-conditioned indoor office/shop environment with adequate ventilation.
• Might be required to occasionally work in high, precarious places.
• The above statements reflect the general details necessary to describe the principal functions of the position and are not intended to be all inclusive. The position and any of the requirements listed above are subject to change at any time according to the changing needs of the company.
• Roadrunner is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind.
• We will not accept unsolicited candidates from external recruiters or recruiting agencies. Thank you!

#LI-OnsiteChicago, IL