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General Manager, Contract Logistics

Forward Air

Union City, CAJob$170–190K/yrSeen 2w agoSeen in employer's feed 1 day ago

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At a glance

Compensation
$170–190K/yr
Location
Union City, CA
Work Authorization
Not specified

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Job overview

The General Manager, Contract Logistics oversees a large or complex contract logistics site or related sites, with accountability for safety, service, financial performance, and employee engagement. The role ensures contractual obligations are met while advancing operational excellence and sustained performance. The General Manager coaches site leaders and frontline teams, executes operational strategies, leads continuous improvement, and builds relationships with customers, employees, and internal partners.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

5SProfit and Loss ManagementWorkforce PlanningVolume ForecastingCapacity ManagementPerformance Management SystemsDashboard and KPI UseLeanSix SigmaStructured Problem-SolvingStandard WorkCustomer Relationship ManagementLeadershipCoachingSuccession PlanningEmployee RelationsWarehouse Management SystemsEnterprise Resource PlanningReporting and Data ToolsWindows PCsMicrosoft O365Web ConferencingTeam LeadershipTeam DevelopmentPerformance ManagementAnalytical SkillsProblem-SolvingDecision-MakingDiscretionConfidentiality

Qualifications

High School Diploma or GEDUndergraduate Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, or Related FieldLean CertificationKaizen CertificationSix Sigma Certification7+ Years 3PL or Contract Logistics LeadershipLarge Diverse Team LeadershipDirect Customer EngagementUp to 30% Travel

Full job description

Compensation: $170,000 - 190,000 Annually

The General Manager, Contract Logistics is responsible for operational oversight of a large/complex contract logistics site, or group of closely related sites, with full accountability for safety, service, financial performance, and employee engagement. They ensure delivery of contractual obligations while driving operational excellence scalability, and sustained performance. They coach site leaders and frontline teams, execute operational strategies, and lead continuous improvement initiatives that drive productivity, quality, cost, and service outcomes. They build strong relationships with customers, employees, and internal partners to support stability, growth, and long-term value creation.

Responsibilities:

  • Provide overall leadership for site operations, ensuring contractual, financial, safety, and service commitments are achieved.

  • Lead and align site leadership teams to drive consistent execution and operational discipline.

  • Translate strategic objectives into executable site-level operating plans.

  • Ensure facilities operate in a clean, organized, safe, and compliant manner, including adherence to 5S principles.

  • Own site-level Profit and Loss (P&L) responsibility, including labor, operating expenses, and cost optimization initiatives.

  • Lead workforce planning, volume forecasting, and capacity management to align resources with demand.

  • Monitor financial and operational performance, identify trends and variances, and implement corrective actions.

  • Sponsor and govern site-level capital investment and improvement initiatives.

  • Establish and govern site performance management systems aligned to safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity.

  • Lead data-driven operational reviews and ensure consistent use of dashboards and KPIs.

  • Sponsor and prioritize continuous improvement initiatives using LEAN, Six Sigma, and structured problem-solving methodologies.

  • Ensure improvements are sustained through standard work, training, and operating discipline.

  • Serve as the senior operational leader for customer relationships at the site level.

  • Lead executive-level customer reviews, performance discussions, and strategic planning sessions.

  • Partner with customers to identify operational enhancements, scalability opportunities, and long-term improvements.

  • Lead, coach, and develop site leadership teams and high-potential talent.

  • Establish succession plans and leadership development pathways.

  • Drive a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.

  • Ensure consistent application of performance management, coaching, and employee relations practices.

  • Champion a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with all regulatory and company requirements. Maintain accountability for safety performance, quality standards, and risk mitigation.

  • Ensure audits, corrective actions, and compliance activities are executed and sustained.

  • All other duties as assigned to meet evolving business needs.

Qualifications:

  • Education: High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED)/equivalent required; Undergraduate degree (or higher) in Supply Chain Management, Business, or a related field from an accredited college or university preferred.

  • Certification / Licensure: Lean/Kaizen/Six Sigma certifications preferred.

  • Experience: 7+ years’ progressive experience leading third-party logistics (3PL) or contract logistics operations for large/enterprise customers.

  • Proven ability to lead large, diverse, and distributed teams and manage complex logistics operations in a high-volume, preferably multi-site environment.

  • Prior experience engaging with customers directly to conduct business reviews, resolve escalations/conflicts, and participate in the contract renewal/negotiation process.

  • Strong functional knowledge of Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and reporting/data tools.

  • Excellent team leadership, development, and coaching/performance management skills.

  • Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

  • Demonstrated discretion and confidentiality in handling and protecting sensitive information.

  • Technical: Proficient with common office technologies, including Windows PCs, Microsoft O365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and web conferencing (Teams, Zoom, Webex, etc.)

  • Environment: Comfort commuting to/from and working in a 100% on-site setting (listed in this posting), with travel for related meetings, events, and client engagements (up to 30%).

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