Transportation Manager

GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY•Chicago, IL

2d•$80,000 - $85,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Transportation Manager is a mission-critical operations leader responsible for directing all transportation, fleet, inbound scheduling, and receiving functions. This role leads CDL drivers, and receiving personnel to ensure safe, compliant, efficient, and service-driven operations. This leader will build and sustain a high-performance culture grounded in accountability, safety, customer service, and continuous improvement. We are seeking a strong people leader who thrives in fast-paced, high-volume logistics environments and who understands that operational excellence starts with team development and disciplined execution.

Requirements

4+ years of progressive leadership experience in transportation, logistics, fleet, or warehouse operations.
Proven experience leading frontline teams in high-volume environments.
Strong knowledge of routing systems (Roadnet or similar) and telematics platforms (Samsara or similar).
Experience managing fleet maintenance programs and DOT compliance.
Working knowledge of warehouse, shipping, and receiving operations.
Strong financial acumen and budget management experience.
Excellent communication and conflict resolution skills.
Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as operational needs require.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred
CDL preferred but not required

Responsibilities

Lead, coach, and develop a team of supervisors, drivers, and receiving staff.
Build a culture centered on safety, professionalism, and service.
Oversee hiring, onboarding, performance management, and workforce planning.
Establish clear expectations, KPIs, and accountability systems.
Build leadership bench strength and promote team skillset development.
Oversee daily routing, pickup scheduling, and delivery execution.
Ensure all deliveries and pick-ups meet established service commitments.
Resolve service escalations with professionalism and urgency.
Collaboration across departments to support evolving community needs.
Manage receiving team workflow to align dock capacity with warehouse throughput.
Ensure compliance with all safety, documentation and food safety standards.
Oversee preventative maintenance and repair programs for tractors, trailers, reefers, and fleet vehicles.
Track equipment uptime, out-of-service reporting, and repair timelines.
Maintain clear truck lanes, organized yard space, and safe trailer staging areas.
Identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining safety and service standards.
Maintain and monitor compliance with DOT regulations and implement corrective action plans as needed.
Maintain driver qualification documentation in partnership with HR.
Lead safety training initiatives and reinforce a safety-first culture.