Assistant Manager, Service Center

About the role

The Assistant Manager, Service Center is a critical operator within the Operations function, responsible for translating network strategy into disciplined, day-to-day execution. This role exists to ensure the service center runs as a high-performance hub—balancing service quality, cost control, and operational throughput while maintaining strong employee engagement and customer satisfaction.

Responsibilities

• Lead service center execution
• Cook up daily operations across dock, linehaul, OS&D, pickup & delivery, and office functions to ensure seamless throughput
• Assign responsibilities, supervise staff, and ensure consistent adherence to operational standards
• Step into supervisory and managerial roles as needed to maintain continuity of operations
• Maintain on-call readiness to resolve escalations beyond frontline supervision
• Optimize operational performance and cost control
• Monitor revenue components, labor expenses, manifests, and key operating metrics (TOCs)
• Identify cost inefficiencies and partner with leadership to improve operational margins
• Audit supply expenses and oversee facility maintenance to ensure cost discipline and operational readiness
• Support contract creation with customers, contractors, and partners to align operational and financial outcomes
• Drive service quality and issue resolution
• Investigate OS&D claims and ensure accurate, timely resolution
• Address complex service disruptions and customer issues with accountability and urgency
• Communicate service center performance clearly to the Service Center Manager
• Build and maintain positive customer and partner relationships through consistent service delivery
• Build and lead a high-performing workforce
• Recruit and onboard independent contractors and support equipment leasing efforts
• Reinforce a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement
• Lead by example—sharing expertise and developing team capability across functions
• Align teams to business goals
• Communicate HR-related information, including benefits and policies, clearly to employees
• Ensure alignment between daily execution and broader company objectives
• Participate actively in cross-functional initiatives and continuous improvement efforts

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or 2–3 years of relevant operations or logistics management experience (or equivalent combination)
• Proven experience supervising, developing, and evaluating operational teams
• Strong understanding of transportation, logistics, and service center operations (dock, linehaul, P&D, OS&D)
• Financial and analytical capability, including interpreting metrics, labor cost management, and revenue components
• Proficiency with business systems and tools, including Microsoft Office; experience with AS/400 and McLeod preferred
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical and regulatory documents
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders
• Experience managing sensitive and confidential information with discretion
• HazMat certification and forklift qualification (or ability to obtain)
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, delegate effectively, and execute under pressure

Qualifications

• Preferred Experience within LTL, freight, or transportation network environments
• Exposure to contract development and vendor/partner management

Skills

• System thinking
• Ownership and accountability
• Urgency and operational discipline
• Clear communication
• Constructive problem-solving
• Leadership from the floor

Benefits

• Full benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), and paid time off

Pay

$90,000–$100,000 base salary

Schedule

Onsite – Chicago, IL

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level is moderate based on general conversation tones, ringing phones and laser printer operation. The employee is occasionally asked to stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb or balance and lift objects up to 100 lb. Work Environment: Well-lighted, heated and/or air-conditioned indoor office/shop environment with adequate ventilation. Minimal overnight travel (10%) by land and/or air required. Might be required to occasionally work in high, precarious places.

About Roadrunner

Roadrunner is for ambitious, smart people who excel at execution over talking about it, and who would rather invent the next standard in freight than accept the status quo. We are looking for the Best of the Best. Action driven leaders who want to be part of real change and help design the future of LTL in the U.S. This is a place where high performers can grow, influence outcomes, and make an impact while working directly with executives and smart people from across industries. We bring a winner mindset. We take ownership, raise the bar, and measure ourselves by results. We Run Safe. We Run Smart. We Run Together. These principles create an environment of high standards, clear ownership, and direct collaboration. We trust data over intuition, move with urgency, and hold each other accountable because winning requires it. Roadrunner exists to prove that LTL can be better than the industry has settled for. To be the best means we need to think bigger, look outside the box, and question every assumption: too many handoffs, limited visibility, and the quiet belief that “this is just how it works.” We rejected that story. We built a proprietary Smart Network™ for direct, long haul, metro to metro service that delivers fewer touches, faster transit, real time visibility, and genuine accountability. We are the most tech forward company in LTL, and we are not finished widening the gap. The foundation is already strong. Recognized as one of Built In Chicago’s Best Large Places to Work. Earning top marks for improvement, quality, and service. The real opportunity is still ahead: helping invent what comes next. If you want to be evaluated among the Best of the Best and help set the new standard in LTL, we should talk.