Operations Manager

Location: Chicago, IL
Work Arrangement: On-Site
Employment Type: Full-Time

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead and improve day-to-day transportation operations across a growing multimodal logistics environment.

This is a hands-on leadership role for an organized, experienced transportation professional who understands truckload, LTL, intermodal, carrier management, customer operations, and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will be able to operate independently, analyze data, manage customer and carrier performance, lead operational initiatives, and bring structure and accountability to a rapidly growing organization.

The Operations Manager will work closely with company leadership and operations teams to ensure customers receive a high level of service while transportation processes, systems, and workflows continue to scale effectively.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and improve day-to-day transportation operations across multiple modes, including truckload, LTL, and intermodal.
• Manage customer and carrier performance through scorecards, KPIs, reporting, and performance reviews.
• Conduct and lead Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) with customers and develop actionable follow-up plans.
• Manage customer onboarding and ensure new business follows established operational processes and SOPs.
• Identify operational issues, determine root causes, and develop solutions to improve service, efficiency, and profitability.
• Manage operational issue lists, ensuring problems are assigned, tracked, and resolved.
• Support and lead continuous improvement initiatives across transportation operations.
• Participate in technology implementations and system improvements, including transportation management and related operational platforms.
• Support implementation and optimization of AI, freight audit/pay, and transportation management technologies.
• Analyze operational data and utilize spreadsheets and reporting tools to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for improvement.
• Develop, document, and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Work closely with carriers and internal teams to improve service, capacity, processes, and overall performance.
• Assist with RFPs, customer implementations, network optimization, and other strategic operational initiatives.
• Ensure operational teams have the processes, tools, and information necessary to execute effectively.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and direction to operations personnel.
• Serve as a hands-on problem solver who can independently assess a situation and determine the appropriate course of action.
• Help leadership scale the operation by taking ownership of projects and responsibilities rather than requiring extensive day-to-day direction.

Ideal Background

The ideal candidate will bring a strong combination of transportation operations, multimodal management, customer management, analytics, and project management experience.

Experience with some or all of the following is highly valuable:

• Truckload brokerage
• LTL operations
• Intermodal transportation
• Carrier management
• Customer account management
• Customer onboarding
• RFP management
• Quarterly Business Reviews
• Carrier and customer scorecarding
• Continuous improvement
• Technology implementation
• Transportation management systems (TMS)
• Freight audit and payment processes
• SOP development
• Project management

Qualifications

• Several years of progressive experience in transportation, logistics, freight brokerage, or supply chain operations.
• Strong understanding of multimodal transportation operations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage customer and carrier relationships.
• Strong analytical skills and advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel.
• Strong working knowledge of PowerPoint and presentation development.
• Experience with Visio or process mapping is a plus.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to analyze complex information, identify issues, and develop practical solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High attention to detail and commitment to producing professional, accurate work.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Strong understanding of operational processes, SOPs, and continuous improvement.
• Comfortable working with technology and adapting to new systems and tools.
• Self-directed and capable of working independently without significant hand-holding.
• Must be coachable, collaborative, and willing to learn.
• Strong professional judgment and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, growing organization.

What We're Looking For

This position is designed for an experienced operations professional who can step in and make an immediate impact. The successful candidate should be able to take a project or operational challenge, understand what needs to be done, and run with it.

You should be comfortable asking the right questions, analyzing the data, building the presentation or process, communicating with the customer, and following the initiative through to completion.

If you are looking for an opportunity to help shape and scale a growing logistics operation—and want the autonomy to make meaningful improvements—this role offers significant opportunity for professional growth.