What are the responsibilities and job description for the Site Manager, Contract Logistics Operations position at Forward Air Corporation?
Job Description
Position: Site Manager, Contract Logistics Operations
Job Description
The Site Manager, Contract Logistics Operations is responsible for operational oversight of a single contract logistics site, with full accountability for safety, service, financial performance, and employee engagement. They ensure delivery of contractual obligations while driving operational excellence aligned with agreed upon performance metrics and customer expectations. They coach site supervisors and frontline teams, execute operational strategies, and lead continuous improvement initiatives that drive productivity, quality, cost, and service outcomes. They build strong relationships with customers, employees, and internal partners to support business stability and growth.
Responsibilities
Since 1990, Forward Air has been a leading provider of ground transportation and related logistics services to the North American air freight and expedited LTL market. We offer surface shipping on an accelerated “time-definite” basis, delivering cargo at a specific time, but under less time-sensitive situations – supplying you with a cost effective, reliable alternative to air transportation. We work with companies of all sizes to develop tangible advantages and build the best products to meet your specific needs. Forward Air presents to the wholesale transportation community (logistics companies, freight forwarders, integrated air cargo carriers, passenger/ cargo airlines, and non-traditional shippers), a single-source provider that can deliver more supply chain services and a superior menu of choices. Throughout the years we have added supplementary lines to our linehaul service, such as full truckload operations (Truckload Services), final-mile coverage (Complete® Cartage), and an Airline Logistics program, and we will continue to expand our services to meet the changing needs and growth of our customer base.
Forward Air is structured to optimize both savings and service to our customers. Direct partnerships with owner-operators and other surface transportation providers, enable us to remain cost-competitive. The Forward Air network is designed with over 90 facilities located at or near major U.S. and Canadian airports, 12 regional sort centers and over 300 beyond points (secondary airports provided through our Complete Cartage service), creating one of the most comprehensive linehaul networks in the industry.
Ranked 3rd in Newsweeks 2022 " Americas Most Trustworthy Companies " publication
Position: Site Manager, Contract Logistics Operations
Job Description
The Site Manager, Contract Logistics Operations is responsible for operational oversight of a single contract logistics site, with full accountability for safety, service, financial performance, and employee engagement. They ensure delivery of contractual obligations while driving operational excellence aligned with agreed upon performance metrics and customer expectations. They coach site supervisors and frontline teams, execute operational strategies, and lead continuous improvement initiatives that drive productivity, quality, cost, and service outcomes. They build strong relationships with customers, employees, and internal partners to support business stability and growth.
Responsibilities
- Lead all site operations from inbound receipt through final delivery, ensuring contractual, service, financial, safety, quality, and regulatory commitments are met.
- Coach operations and support teams to drive consistent execution and operational discipline.
- Execute operational plans aligned with customer requirements and organizational strategy.
- Ensure facilities operate in a clean, organized, safe, and compliant manner, including adherence to 5S principles.
- Own site-level Profit and Loss (P&L) responsibility, including labor, variable costs, and period expenses.
- Lead workforce planning, volume forecasting, and capacity management to align resources with demand.
- Monitor operational and financial performance, identify variances, and implement corrective actions.
- Manage site capital expenditure related to approved investment and improvement initiatives.
- Sponsor and lead projects to improve productivity, quality, velocity, and cost performance.
- Establish and manage site performance metrics aligned with safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity objectives.
- Lead regular operational and performance reviews to assess results and identify improvement opportunities.
- Drive adherence to standard work, operating procedures, and quality plans.
- Lead customer-facing operational reviews, including planning and performance discussions.
- Partner with customers to identify process improvements and operational enhancement opportunities.
- Act as the primary site-level liaison between customers and internal support functions.
- Lead, coach, and develop site leadership and supervisory teams; Manage performance and develop succession plans and workforce capability aligned with site needs.
- Proactively manage employee relations through clear communication, coaching, and development.
- Lead initiatives that promote the highest standards of safety performance and regulatory compliance; Maintain accountability for compliance and incident prevention.
- All other duties as assigned to meet evolving business needs.
- Education: Undergraduate degree (or higher) in Supply Chain Management, Business, or a related field from an accredited college or university preferred; High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED)/equivalent required.
- Experience: 5 years’ leadership experience in a third-party logistics (3PL) or contract logistics, manufacturing, or similar operations environment.
- Demonstrated experience managing site-level operations with financial accountability.
- Strong functional knowledge of Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP, i.e. SAP, Oracle, etc.), and reporting/data tools.
- Experience managing customer-facing operations in a contract or service-based environment.
- Strong working knowledge of operational KPIs, labor planning, and cost management.
- Working knowledge of LEAN, Six Sigma, or structured continuous improvement methodologies, with experience applying tools in live operations.
- Experience developing and using performance dashboards, scorecards, and KPI reports to manage site performance.
- Ability to create, track, and analyze operational metrics related to safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity.
- Experience supporting or leading continuous improvement initiatives using data and structured problem-solving approaches.
- Demonstrated discretion and confidentiality in handling and protecting sensitive information.
- Technical: Proficient with common office technologies, including Windows PCs, Microsoft O365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and web conferencing (Teams, Zoom, Webex, etc.)
- Environment: Comfort commuting to/from and working in a 100% on-site setting (listed in this posting), with travel for related meetings, events, and client engagements (up to 30%).
Since 1990, Forward Air has been a leading provider of ground transportation and related logistics services to the North American air freight and expedited LTL market. We offer surface shipping on an accelerated “time-definite” basis, delivering cargo at a specific time, but under less time-sensitive situations – supplying you with a cost effective, reliable alternative to air transportation. We work with companies of all sizes to develop tangible advantages and build the best products to meet your specific needs. Forward Air presents to the wholesale transportation community (logistics companies, freight forwarders, integrated air cargo carriers, passenger/ cargo airlines, and non-traditional shippers), a single-source provider that can deliver more supply chain services and a superior menu of choices. Throughout the years we have added supplementary lines to our linehaul service, such as full truckload operations (Truckload Services), final-mile coverage (Complete® Cartage), and an Airline Logistics program, and we will continue to expand our services to meet the changing needs and growth of our customer base.
Forward Air is structured to optimize both savings and service to our customers. Direct partnerships with owner-operators and other surface transportation providers, enable us to remain cost-competitive. The Forward Air network is designed with over 90 facilities located at or near major U.S. and Canadian airports, 12 regional sort centers and over 300 beyond points (secondary airports provided through our Complete Cartage service), creating one of the most comprehensive linehaul networks in the industry.
Ranked 3rd in Newsweeks 2022 " Americas Most Trustworthy Companies " publication