Transportation Supervisor

gategroup•Schiller Park, IL

About The Position

The Transportation Supervisor oversees drivers and driver assistants who coordinate services between the kitchen and drivers and manage dock activities. The role ensures flights are catered correctly and on schedule, employees follow safety and security requirements, and service meets airline specifications, customer requirements, regulatory standards, and company policies. The supervisor coordinates staffing and workflows, monitors performance and labor goals, and works with operations, maintenance, HR, and other teams to support effective unit performance. The position supervises and develops employees, including assigning work, planning manpower, training, evaluating performance, providing feedback, and addressing corrective actions in accordance with applicable union agreements and company policies. It also supports service changes and late flights, maintains communication during operations, oversees vehicle and galley security and cleanliness, and prepares required management reports.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
At least 2 years of supervisory experience in a high-volume manufacturing, food production, restaurant, or catering environment, or equivalent related experience, preferred.
Strong leadership skills and ability to manage a staff of 30 or more hourly employees.
Ability to train others.
Ability to give employees positive and negative feedback on a daily basis.
Excellent time-management skills and ability to handle multiple tasks while maintaining focus on priorities.
Strong organizational, analytical, communication, and leadership skills.
Ability to make operational changes to improve the work environment and unit performance.
Basic computer skills and working knowledge of Microsoft Office products.
Ability to obtain ServSafe certification.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in speaking and writing, listen attentively, and ensure communication is understood by all parties.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree preferred.
Current or previous labor relations experience is a plus.
ServSafe certification preferred.
Bilingual ability in English and Spanish, Chinese Mandarin, Vietnamese, Hindi, or Polish is a plus.

Responsibilities

Ensure quality production standards are maintained for all accounts.
Obtain control sheets and assign team drivers to flights daily.
Inspect the dock to ensure employees have required equipment and trucks depart according to schedule.
Verify teams are catering the correct aircraft and flights.
Ensure employees follow safety procedures and Airport Transport Authority badging requirements.
Work with management staff to improve unit performance.
Assist teams with late flights and equipment changes.
Obtain airline service requirements and updates.
Maintain radio contact with the Operations Manager, meal planner, and leads during operations.
Check the kitchen regularly to ensure equipment is not left behind after flights leave.
Ensure the security and proper transportation of galleys and maintain vehicle cleanliness.
Oversee safety, quality, and compliance with customer specifications, regulatory requirements, and company policies and procedures.
Ensure specifications, airline diagrams, and other standards are accurate and consistent with airline requirements.
Ensure products are coded according to Gate Gourmet procedures.
Coordinate with maintenance staff on preventive maintenance schedules for machinery and fleet; report maintenance and repair issues promptly.
Maintain company policies and procedures and airline customer specification books.
Meet financial goals for materials, productivity, overtime, and labor.
Prepare required management reports, such as attendance, HACCP, and labor reports.
Supervise drivers and driver assistants, including performance evaluations, coaching, counseling, and corrective actions; liaise with HR and other support functions as appropriate.
Balance workflow and divide responsibilities among employees on each shift, including assigning duties and workstations.
Manage daily manpower planning and employee schedules.
Determine whether to call employees in to cover staffing needs, including absences, vacation relief, medical leaves, and volume changes.
Determine staffing levels by shift in conjunction with department leaders.
Ensure compliance with the company Wage & Hour policy, including rest and meal breaks and required processes.
Train and monitor employees on proper work procedures to support productivity and control labor and food expenses.
Support employee retention and reduce turnover.
Prepare corrective actions in compliance with applicable union or collective bargaining agreements.
Ensure employees in the chain of command are assigned to the correct cost centers and job titles.
Verify union-represented employees’ pay rates against wage scales and seniority.
For applicable units (OP73 and OP78), ensure employees complete required company training, including ServSafe.
Comply with company policies, procedures, processes, and required training.