Operations Team Lead- 1st Shift

Forward Air•Jamesburg, NJ

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Operations Team Lead provides day-to-day coordination and hands-on support for a defined shift and group of frontline employees within a logistics warehouse/site or multimodal transportation terminal. They ensure workflows, safety procedures, and SOPs are consistently followed to meet daily targets and KPIs. Working under an Operations Supervisor, Operations Manager, or Terminal/Site Manager, they prioritize tasks, allocate labor and equipment based on pre-set plans, and assist in resolving routine issues on the floor. They play a key role in training, work quality monitoring, and supporting operational continuity.

Requirements

Valid forklift certification/licensure (or ability to obtain before operating equipment) required.
3+ years’ experience in a warehouse, distribution, logistics operations, or multimodal terminal environment; prior experience in a lead or coordinator role preferred.
Demonstrated ability to motivate, train, and guide frontline employees.
Ability to communicate effectively in English (verbal and written).
Working knowledge of Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Transportation Management Systems (TMS), and reporting/data tools.
Ability to prioritize tasks and manage competing operational demands within established procedures.
Ability to safely operate material handling equipment (MHE) such as pallet jacks, dollies, hand trucks, order pickers, pallet riders, conveyors, dock plates, dock levelers, sit-down/stand-up forklifts and reach trucks (with company-assisted certification/training), and/or other specialized MHE as required by the site.
Extensive standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and twisting for 8-12 hours per/shift, with the ability to lift, push, pull, and carry freight up to 50lbs without assistance, with occasional lifting of freight up to 75lbs with assistance or mechanical aids throughout each 8-12 hour shift, multiple times per/week.
Vision, hearing, and verbal communication skills sufficient to work safely in a noisy dock environment.
Ability to work safely around moving equipment, vehicles, and freight in a non-climate-controlled environment, including frequent exposure to temperature extremes (both hot and cold), occasional outdoor work and/or exposure to precipitation (rain, sleet, snow, etc.), regular exposure to moving equipment, vehicle traffic, exhaust, dust, and moderate to loud noise.
Ability to maintain regular and predictable attendance.
Demonstrated discretion and confidentiality in handling and protecting sensitive information.
Proficient with common office technologies, including Windows PCs, Microsoft O365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and web conferencing (Teams, Zoom, Webex, etc.)

Nice To Haves

High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED)/equivalent preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Load and unload freight using sit-down/stand-up forklifts and reach trucks, along with other appropriate Material Handling Equipment (MHE), such as pallet jacks, carts, and dollies, and approved physical lifting techniques.
Move, stage, sort, and position freight between dock doors, trailers, and designated warehouse areas in accordance with operating procedures.
Pick, pack, and prepare items for shipping and delivery.
Assist drivers with loading and unloading activities following dock and safety procedures.
Label, scan, and track freight using handheld scanning devices and company systems to ensure accuracy and documentation integrity.
Identify damaged freight and promptly report issues, unsafe conditions, or equipment concerns to supervisory personnel.
Coordinate and direct daily work activities for assigned team members based on established schedules and operational plans.
Assist the Operations Supervisor in executing daily volume, labor, and workload assignments.
Assign tasks and prioritize work to support timely completion of inbound, outbound, and inventory activities.
Expedite order fulfillment, receipts, and material or freight movements in accordance with defined procedures and service expectations.
Utilize Transportation Management System (TMS), Warehouse Management System (WMS), or Terminal Operating/Resource systems to support daily operational tasks.
Conduct basic system inquiries and manual searches to help resolve inventory, shipment, or order discrepancies.
Review and assign storage or staging locations for freight, materials, or commodities in alignment with defined storage and flow concepts.
Coordinate handling of urgent orders, cancellations, re-routes, and special service requirements within established guidelines.
Monitor team-level productivity and work quality against daily targets and report issues to their Operations leaders.
Track operational performance and assist in preparing routine operational reports.
Provide day-to-day guidance, direction, and on-the-job training to new and existing employees.
Monitor work quality, safety compliance, and adherence to standard operating procedures.
Operate site equipment (e.g., forklifts, tuggers, pallet jacks, yard tractors, scanners) and perform basic troubleshooting of routine operational issues.
Escalate equipment, safety, or system issues promptly to minimize disruption.
Ensure all work is completed in alignment with safety, environmental, and operational requirements.
All other duties as assigned to meet evolving business needs.