Operations Team Lead

Forward Air Services•Minneapolis, MN

12d•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 in a logistics warehouse/site or multimodal transportation terminal. Working under an Operations Supervisor, Operations Manager, or Terminal/Site Manager, the lead helps ensure workflows, safety procedures, and standard operating procedures are followed to meet daily targets and KPIs. The role prioritizes tasks, allocates labor and equipment according to established plans, resolves routine floor issues, supports training and work-quality monitoring, and helps maintain operational continuity. The position schedules ocean and domestic shipments, coordinates daily work, supports shipment and inventory issue resolution, and uses warehouse management systems, including SAP. It also involves picking, packing, preparing shipments, assisting with loading and unloading, and auditing outgoing shipments. The role is 100% on-site and requires working safely in a non-climate-controlled, noisy dock environment around moving equipment, vehicles, and freight.

Requirements

At least 3 years of experience in a warehouse, distribution, logistics operations, or multimodal terminal environment.
Ability to motivate, train, and guide frontline employees.
Ability to communicate effectively in English, verbally and in writing.
Ability to prioritize tasks and manage competing operational demands within established procedures.
Proficiency with common office technologies, including Windows PCs, Microsoft Office 365, and web conferencing tools such as Teams, Zoom, or Webex.
Experience with warehouse management systems.
Ability to work safely around moving equipment, vehicles, and freight in a non-climate-controlled environment, with frequent exposure to hot and cold temperatures, and regular exposure to vehicle traffic, exhaust, dust, and moderate to loud noise.
Ability to maintain regular and predictable attendance.
Demonstrated discretion and confidentiality when handling and protecting sensitive information.
Ability to commute to and work in a 100% on-site setting.
Physical ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist for 8–12 hours per shift; lift, push, pull, and carry freight up to 50 pounds without assistance; and occasionally lift freight up to 75 pounds with assistance or mechanical aids.
Vision, hearing, and verbal communication skills sufficient to work safely in a noisy dock environment.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent preferred but not required.
Prior experience in a lead or coordinator role preferred.

Responsibilities

Schedule ocean and domestic shipments.
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.
Conduct basic system inquiries and manual searches to help resolve inventory, shipment, or order discrepancies.
Coordinate handling of urgent orders, cancellations, re-routes, and special service requirements within established guidelines.
Work with customers on schedule changes.
Use WMS for systems work, including SAP.
Pick, pack, and prepare items for shipping and delivery.
Assist drivers with loading and unloading activities while following dock and safety procedures.
Identify damaged freight and promptly report issues, unsafe conditions, or equipment concerns to supervisory personnel.
Perform audits on outgoing shipments.
Monitor work quality, safety compliance, and adherence to standard operating procedures.
Promptly escalate equipment, safety, or system issues to minimize disruption.
Ensure work aligns with safety, environmental, and operational requirements.
Perform other duties as assigned to meet evolving business needs.