Operations Manager

Overview

Krapf Group Vision: Provide the best passenger transportation anytime, anywhere. Krapf is serious about service and safety. We are one of the largest private, family‑owned school bus contractors in the U.S. In addition, Krapf has transit, paratransit and charter lines of business. Founded in 1942 with two employees, Krapf has grown to thousands of employees in multiple states. Krapf Corporate Headquarters is located in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Expectations

• Support Krapf vision and mission in all activities
• Demonstrate Krapf Core Values of commitment, open communication, respect and excellent service
• Represent Krapf in a professional, business‑like manner
• Comply with all Krapf employee and safety policies

Position Summary

This office position, under limited supervision, plans, directs, and supervises the work activities, customer satisfaction, profitability, and the day‑to‑day operations and management of a branch. The role identifies profitable market segments and business opportunities, secures new customers, and maintains current customers.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Actively solicit new business while maintaining current customer base.
• Analyze and develop competitive advantages including financial, service‑related, and fleet costs.
• Secure incremental revenue by marketing charter opportunities outside of the main revenue contract.
• Assist in preparation of tenders/bids by developing bid work‑ups and analysis and participate in the bid process.
• Direct day‑to‑day operations within the framework of the company’s Operations Excellence Program by overseeing scheduling, routing, billing, payroll, inventory control, maintenance, and other activities.
• Attend meetings of school boards, conduct school visits, and act as company liaison with various governing bodies and key influencers where appropriate.
• Handle problems concerning students, parents, school officials, and employees.
• Maintain contact with customers to identify needs and enhance service levels.
• Review and monitor operations, communications, and relations with customers in areas of dispatch performance, driver training, routing, and safety matters.
• Create and maintain a strong customer‑relations emphasis for districts with school and school‑board officials.
• Identify and break down barriers to efficient service delivery, developing objective tools to measure performance and customer‑service levels.
• Communicate with employees regarding site and company goals, objectives, and policies.
• Oversee administration and compliance with the company handbook and resolve labor/employee issues.
• Implement programs and initiatives designed to maintain a union‑free environment.
• Prepare weekly and monthly reports, administer the budget, and plan fiscal budgets within scope of responsibility.
• Analyze site financial statements, review variances, and implement action plans.
• Control site financial matters by reviewing and approving invoices, billings, driver payrolls, and accounts receivable.
• Ensure maintenance and safety meetings occur and that follow‑up and completion of issues are identified.
• Analyze competitive advantages or disadvantages of competitors, including financials, labor, and fleet costs.
• Create analysis tools to measure site performance against customer needs and competitive abilities.
• Input and recommend customer‑service and marketing initiatives.
• Hire, coach, and provide day‑to‑day supervision to staff and drivers.
• Ensure recruitment and selection practices conform to company policy and employment legislation.
• Participate in establishing performance goals, monitor performance, and conduct annual performance and salary reviews.
• Administer employee recognition programs.
• Provide training as required, including initiatives for personal self‑development.
• Monitor employee turnover and proactively manage staffing requirements.
• Conduct stay interviews to determine causes of turnover and address issues.
• Ensure equipment is safe, clean, and dependable.
• Recommend and justify capital expenditures for the site and shop.
• Coordinate mechanical and yard repairs with the shop supervisor, body shop, and other repair facilities.
• Maintain ongoing knowledge of industry practices and trends, Department of Education, Department of Transportation, statutory requirements, environmental requirements, labor codes, employment standards, human‑rights acts, health and safety, and workers‑compensation regulations as they relate to site operations.
• Ensure site compliance with all safety training, standards, and requirements.
• Coordinate activities with local media, public, and community‑relations events and issues.

Direct Reports

• Transportation Assistants
• Dispatchers
• Drivers

Qualifications

• 3 to 5 years management experience in a service environment, including operations management.
• Accounting expertise and excellent communication and customer‑service skills; relationship‑building and value‑added selling skills are essential.
• Effective oral and written communication; ability to obtain and disseminate information appropriately.
• Computer literacy.
• Works well as part of a team; systematically encourages and supports others.
• Valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and School Bus Endorsement, or willingness to obtain one.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.

Safety Sensitive Status

This job is considered safety‑sensitive and incumbents are subject to random substance, drug, and alcohol testing.