The CA Transportation Operations Manager serves as the local operational leader responsible for driver performance, service reliability, fleet readiness, safety, and operational cost control within assigned areas. This role oversees daily transportation and logistics activities at assigned port locations to ensure cost-effective, safe, and high-quality service delivery. The CA Transportation Operations Manager ensures alignment with organizational policies, supports financial performance within assigned areas, and builds and maintains strong relationships with vendors, customers, and internal stakeholders. The role also promotes operational compliance, drives continuous improvement, and fosters a safety-focused culture built on accountability and adherence to company standards.
Summary of Objectives:Operational Leadership & Service Coverage- Serve as the local operational leader responsible for service quality, escalation management, fleet readiness, maintenance compliance, and overall operational performance across assigned ports.
- Maintain high service reliability standards across all assigned locations.
- Coordinate with dispatch leadership to support local recovery efforts during same-day disruptions.
- Participate in weekend and after-hours support on a rotating basis.
- Oversee fleet maintenance, inspections, licensing, and vendor servicing to ensure full operational compliance and readiness.
- Coordinate with dispatch and support teams to ensure accurate fleet tracking and compliance documentation.
Driving Support Responsibilities- Perform driving duties as needed to support peak demand periods, service recovery, and coverage gaps, including last-minute coverage when no alternative driver is available.
- Demonstrate company standards for safety, professionalism, and service quality.
- Provide real-time operational feedback and field insights to improve service execution and driver standards.
Safety & Compliance- Promote and enforce a strong safety-first culture across assigned ports.
- Ensure driver adherence to safety policies, defensive driving standards, and HSEQ requirements.
- Monitor safety performance, incidents, and trends.
- Conduct safety coaching and corrective actions when needed.
- Ensure driver certifications remain current (TWIC, licenses, medicals, etc.).
- Maintain readiness for compliance audits in coordination with internal and external teams and staff.
People & Workplace - Handle all aspects of the full employee lifecycle including, but not limited to, recruiting, onboarding, training, performance management, coaching, disciplinary actions, and terminations in coordination with HR and leadership.
- Ensure employees receive required operational and safety training, with all training documented and completed within company timelines.
- Approve driver schedules and timecards while managing overtime, workforce planning, staffing coverage, and resource allocation during peak periods.
- Continuously evaluate staffing levels, team structure, and workload distribution to improve operational efficiency, scalability, and responsiveness.
- Foster a collaborative, accountable, and performance-driven work environment through effective communication, teamwork, and leadership.
- Demonstrate urgency, resilience, and problem-solving focus in achieving operational goals and resolving issues under pressure.
- Maintain a visible leadership presence as the primary local leader within assigned ports through regular office and field visits to monitor operations, support employees, and address urgent issues, with office visits conducted at least once per quarter.
Local Sales & Market Development- Represent the company through participation in maritime organizations, local industry activities, customer meetings, sales calls, and industry events to support relationship-building with existing and prospective stakeholders.
- Maintain regular communication with vendors, customers, hotels, terminal operators, airport representatives, and relevant agencies to strengthen relationships and identify upcoming operational needs.
- Identify and recommend to your supervisor opportunities for growth within the maritime transportation industry, including potential clients, service gaps, and new revenue streams.
- Support company expansion efforts by identifying opportunities to introduce or scale complementary services such as warehousing, logistics, and last-mile delivery solutions.
Cost control & Vendor Management- Monitor and manage costs related to employee overtime, mileage reimbursements, traffic fines, and other incidental expenses.
- Analyze trends and variances in recurring cost categories and implement cost-control measures to minimize unnecessary spending.
- Establish and enforce policies to reduce avoidable fines, penalties, and overuse of overtime and double time, where applicable.
- Review local billing accuracy, ancillary charge compliance, and vendor invoices, including resolution of billing disputes, to prevent revenue leakage and protect market profitability.
- Manage vendor and transportation partner performance to ensure compliance with service quality expectations and pricing, safety, operational, and contractual standards.
- Ensure consistent adherence to company policies, documentation standards, and operational requirements across all internal and external stakeholders
Misc.- Must be able to work a flexible schedule based on business needs, including days, nights, weekends, and holidays.
- Serve as the primary on-call contact for operational issues or disputes, requiring availability outside normal working hours to address urgent matters or escalations.
- Stay current on industry trends, regulatory changes, and technological innovations impacting transportation operations.
- Travel between regional offices and customer sites as required.
- Abide by company HSEQ policies and procedures.
- This job description is not exhaustive; additional duties may be assigned as needed.
- This role may evolve in response to changes in industry practices and technological advancements.
Requirements:Education/Experience- A combination of relevant education (e.g., degree, certifications) and hands-on experience is preferred.
- High School diploma or GED required; associate or bachelor's degree in business, logistics, maritime operations, or a related field is preferred.
- A minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience in transportation, logistics, or maritime operations is strongly preferred.
Licenses/Certifications - Valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record required.
- Must have and maintain reliable and consistent transportation and valid auto insurance in compliance with state regulations.
- Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC) must be obtained within 30 days of hire if not already obtained.
- Maintain all certifications, licenses, and credentials required for the position throughout employment.
Competencies- As part of our commitment to collaboration and team performance, this role is expected to be performed fully onsite at the assigned office.
- Proficient in using computer software and applications, with a strong ability to quickly adapt to new technologies and tools.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with tight deadlines.
- Skilled at adapting quickly to shifting priorities and delivering both short-term analytics and long-term projects.
- Strong communication and leadership abilities are essential.
- Comfortable collaborating with in-office and remote teams at all levels to gather necessary information.
- Highly organized, detail-oriented, and efficient in managing tasks.
- Team-oriented with the ability to lead, listen, and influence when appropriate.
- Leadership and team management skills.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to plan and prioritize, meet deadlines, and achieve strategic goals.
- Strong conflict resolution and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence others effectively.
- Demonstrated ability to perform and deliver results under pressure.
- Ability to collaborate across multiple departmental functions.
- Self-directed, yet team focused and results oriented.
- Ability to maintain regular onsite presence and actively support both office and field operations as required by business needs
