Manager, Special Projects

Roadrunner•Downers Grove, IL

1d•$125,000 - $145,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Special Projects Manager leads high-impact operational initiatives that improve execution, consistency, and financial performance across the LTL network. This role addresses complex operating challenges at the point of execution, translating network priorities into measurable improvements at service centers and field locations. The position combines enterprise project leadership with hands-on operational accountability. It requires a leader who can assess performance quickly, identify root causes, align cross-functional teams, and implement solutions that improve service, safety, productivity, utilization, and cost control. Success means delivering strategic projects on schedule, strengthening service center performance, establishing sustainable operating disciplines, and providing effective senior leadership coverage when business needs require it. The Special Projects Manager will initially focus on a comprehensive operational review and performance improvement plan for the DLS facility.

Requirements

Minimum of eight years of progressive LTL operations experience.
Deep working knowledge of pickup and delivery, dock operations, linehaul, terminal management, labor planning, and transportation regulations.
Proven experience leading complex operational projects from assessment through implementation.
Demonstrated success managing service center operations and leading teams in fast-moving operating environments.
Strong analytical capability with experience using operational and financial data to identify performance gaps and implement sustainable solutions.
Ability to manage competing priorities, make sound decisions under pressure, and maintain execution discipline across multiple locations.
Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and cross-functional influence skills.
Proficiency with transportation management systems, labor management tools, reporting platforms, and Microsoft Office Suite.
Ability and willingness to travel approximately 75%, including travel to service centers and field locations.
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Transportation, Logistics, or a related field preferred. Equivalent relevant experience will be considered.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience as a Service Center Manager or in a comparable terminal leadership position.
Experience leading multi-site operational improvement or network transformation initiatives.
Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement training or experience.
Advanced knowledge of network optimization, labor planning, performance management, and transportation cost control.
Experience supporting service center startups, expansions, restructures, or operational turnarounds.

Responsibilities

Lead network-wide operational initiatives: Own operational projects across the LTL network from initial assessment and planning through implementation, adoption, and performance validation. Build clear project plans with defined objectives, milestones, accountabilities, risks, and measurable outcomes. Partner with Service Center Management, Regional Leadership, Linehaul, Fleet, Safety, Maintenance, Customer Service, and other Operations teams to execute strategic priorities. Support service center startups, expansions, restructures, and other business-critical operational changes. Provide concise, decision-ready project updates and performance insights to senior leadership.
Improve service center performance: Analyze service center metrics to identify opportunities affecting service, safety, productivity, profitability, equipment utilization, claims, and operating efficiency. Conduct structured operational assessments across pickup and delivery, dock, linehaul, routing, staffing, equipment, and customer service functions. Identify underlying performance drivers through disciplined root cause analysis rather than short-term symptom correction. Develop and implement corrective action plans with clear owners, deadlines, and performance measures. Establish repeatable best practices that can be sustained locally and scaled across the network.
Provide operational leadership and continuity: Serve as backup senior operational leadership, including Service Center Manager coverage, when business needs require. Lead daily pickup and delivery, dock, linehaul, customer service, and administrative operations during assigned coverage periods. Maintain operational continuity while protecting service commitments, employee safety, customer experience, and financial performance. Make timely operating decisions, resolve escalated challenges, and ensure accountability across assigned teams. Maintain compliance with company policies, safety requirements, DOT regulations, and established operating procedures.
Strengthen labor execution and team performance: Align staffing levels, labor plans, schedules, and daily execution with freight volumes and service requirements. Monitor productivity, utilization, service performance, safety, claims, and cost controls, taking corrective action when performance falls below expectations. Coach and develop supervisors, drivers, dock employees, customer service employees, and administrative staff. Set clear performance expectations and reinforce consistent management routines across operating teams. Support local leaders through periods of change while maintaining accountability for measurable results.
Drive the initial DLS performance assignment: Conduct a comprehensive operational review of the DLS facility, including staffing, dock operations, routing, service performance, equipment utilization, and financial performance. Identify the root causes of operational challenges and prioritize actions based on business impact, urgency, and sustainability. Implement a structured corrective action plan with defined goals, benchmarks, ownership, and reporting cadence. Provide direct leadership support to local management while maintaining accountability for project execution and operational improvement. Measure results, adjust the plan as needed, and establish operating disciplines that support sustained performance.