Operations Manager

Salary: $85,000-$88,500/ Annual

On Site, M-F, Full Time

About Us

Approved Freight Forwarders has been connecting Hawaii, Guam, California, and global markets since 1991. As a Top 100 3PL provider and part of The DeWitt Companies family of businesses, we deliver comprehensive freight forwarding, logistics, warehousing, and transportation solutions for commercial, military, and residential customers.

With terminals on all four major Hawaiian Islands, over 300,000 square feet of warehouse space, and a team of experienced logistics professionals, we provide customized shipping solutions by air, ocean, and ground. Our commitment to exceptional service, reliability, and communication helps ensure every shipment arrives safely and on time.

Essential Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Manage all day-to-day warehouse, freight forwarding, and 3PL operations.
• Oversee inbound, outbound, consolidation and deconsolidation services, cross-dock, transloading, pick & pack, storage, and distribution activities.
• Ensure all customer shipments are processed accurately and shipped on time.
• Establish daily operational priorities while balancing labor, equipment, and customer demands.
• Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Work Instructions (WI’s) to standardize operations across departments.
• Lead daily operational meetings and communicate performance expectations.
  
  

Freight Forwarding

• Manage consolidation shipments via ocean, truckload (FTL), LTL, drayage, and intermodal transportation.
• Coordinate Hawaii and island shipments while ensuring all documentation is complete and accurate.
• Oversee shipment planning, booking, routing, cargo visibility, and exception management.
• Build and maintain relationships with steamship lines, trucking companies
• Monitor service failures and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
  
  

Warehouse & 3PL Operations

• Oversee receiving, inventory control, put-away, replenishment, order fulfillment, staging, shipping, and cycle counting.
• Maintain inventory accuracy through routine audits and inventory reconciliation.
• Optimize warehouse space utilization and improve operational flow.
• Ensure proper handling of customer inventory and value-added services.
• Support new customer implementations and operational start-ups.
  
  

Systems & Technology

• Utilize Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), RF scanning technology, and transportation systems to maximize efficiency.
• Ensure operational data integrity within a WMS.
• Partner with IT and leadership to implement automation and technology improvements.
• Develop operational dashboards and KPI reporting.
  
  

Financial & Performance Management

• Manage labor scheduling to meet productivity goals while controlling costs.
• Monitor departmental budgets and operational expenses.
• Improve profitability through process improvements and waste reduction.
• Ensure billing accuracy and timely completion of operational transactions.
• Identify opportunities to increase revenue through operational efficiencies and value-added services.
  
  

Leadership & Employee Development

• Lead, coach, mentor, and develop supervisors, team leads, and operations personnel.
• Conduct performance evaluations and establish employee development plans.
• Create accountability through measurable performance metrics.
• Support hiring, onboarding, succession planning, and employee engagement initiatives.
• Foster a culture centered around teamwork, accountability, customer service, and continuous improvement.
  
  

Customer Experience

• Serve as the operational point of contact for key customer accounts.
• Participate in customer business reviews and operational meetings.
• Resolve service issues and customer escalations with urgency.
• Partner with Sales and Business Development to support customer growth opportunities.
  
  

Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with OSHA, TSA, Hazmat, and company policies.
• Promote a proactive safety culture through regular inspections, audits, and employee training.
• Investigate incidents and implement corrective actions.
• Maintain warehouse security and inventory integrity.
  
  

Qualifications

• 7 years of progressive leadership experience in freight forwarding, warehouse operations, or third-party logistics (3PL).
• Minimum of 5 years managing supervisors and multiple operational departments.
• Strong understanding of domestic and freight forwarding.
• Experience with ocean, air freight, drayage, intermodal, LTL, FTL, and distribution operations.
• Working knowledge of import/export documentation and customs compliance.
• Transportation Management Systems (TMS), Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong analytical, financial, and operational planning skills.
• Proven ability to lead change and build high-performing teams.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Hazmat shipping certification.
• OSHA 30 certification.
• Custom
• Project management experience.
• TSA certification
  
  

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift up to 15lbs at times
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and typing on a computer
  
  

Benefits

• Medical and Dental Insurance
• Vision
• 401(k) with Match
• Paid Time Off
• 11 Paid Federal Holidays
• Monthly Team Celebrations
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Supplemental Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Yearly performance reviews
  
  

Equal Opportunity Employer: Women/Veterans/Minorities/Disabled