Supervisor Operations- Transportation

About the role

We're seeking an outgoing, hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced, airside production environment and enjoys managing transportation teams responsible for the safe, on-time delivery of catering to aircraft.

Responsibilities

• Organize and staff the department to meet flight service and delivery timelines across all shifts.
• Lead daily shift briefings (dispatch plan, safety topics, gate changes, IROPs) and ensure clear handoffs.
• Dispatch and route planning: align vehicle assignments to flight schedules; respond to real-time changes (gate/stand swaps, delays, diversions).
• Fleet readiness: ensure high-lift catering trucks, reefers, tractors, and support vehicles pass pre-/post-trip inspections (DVIR/eDVIR); coordinate preventive maintenance with Maintenance.
• Load accuracy & security: verify cart counts, galley configurations, seal integrity, and chain-of-custody; maintain temperature control logs and cold-chain integrity.
• Airside operations: ensure safe positioning, marshalling, chocking, jetbridge clearance, and compliance with airport AOA driving rules.
• On-time service: monitor flight service milestones and corrective actions to achieve OTD/OTP targets.
• Schedule and control staffing to meet labor productivity and overtime targets.
• Ensure compliance with all government regulatory standards, including: DOT/FMCSA (driver qualification files, hours of service, drug/alcohol testing) OSHA (PPE, ergonomics, incident reporting) FDA/USDA, HACCP, GMP (food safety) EPA (waste management; spill response) Airport/TSA security (SIDA badges, secured area procedures, seal integrity).
• Document and improve transportation processes and SOPs; close gaps found in audits or incident reviews.
• Maintain safety compliance at all times; lead root-cause analysis and corrective actions for accidents/incidents.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support flight service, customer needs, and operational continuity.
• Leadership guide, motivate, and develop drivers, dispatchers, and transportation coordinators within HR policies; deliver coaching and progressive discipline as needed.
• Make the company's values and management principles live in the department through consistent communication, recognition, and accountability.
• Manage productivity hours and costs; initiate corrective actions for deviations (e.g., overtime, idle time, out-of-route).
• Participate in and support company initiatives such as Quality, HACCP, Lean/5S, Employee Safety, and Production Systems; sponsor Kaizen activities that remove waste and improve reliability.
• Cross-functional coordination: Partner with Production, Warehouse, Flight Assembly, QA, Maintenance, Airline OCC/Ramp/Gate teams, and Customer Service to resolve exceptions and maintain service levels during IROPs or short-notice changes.
• Ensure accurate and timely documentation (dispatch logs, DVIRs, temp logs, security seals, incident reports).

Requirements

• 1–3 years of related experience required (transportation/logistics, food service distribution, or airline catering preferred).
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent knowledge preferred.
• Problem-solving and leadership skills with the ability to lead through change and time pressure.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; able to influence across airside, production, and airline partners.
• Able to develop and lead others to achieve desired results and productivity goals.
• Working knowledge of OSHA, GMP, FDA, USDA, EPA and HACCP regulations; practical experience with DOT/FMCSA compliance (HOS, DVIR, driver files).
• Familiarity with airport security and SIDA/TSA procedures for secured/sterile areas.
• Excellent verbal, written, and organizational skills; able to multi-task and prioritize in a dynamic environment.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office and Windows-based applications; experience with dispatch/TMS systems, handhelds/scanners, and digital logs preferred.
• Preferred qualifications: Airfield driving permit; experience supervising high-lift catering trucks and ramp operations. CDL-B (airbrake) or prior CDL supervisory experience is a plus. Experience in unionized environments, scheduling, and attendance management. Bilingual (e.g., Spanish/English) beneficial for workforce communication.