Operations Manager

Operations Manager

Department: IWLS Operations
Reports To: General Manager
Direct Reports: Assistant Operations Manager, Dispatch, Drivers, Field Operations, Shop Manager and other assigned personnel
Employment Type: Full-Time
Location: 5680 Emerson Street, Denver, CO 80216

Position Summary

The Operations Manager is responsible for the overall management and performance of the company's trucking, transportation, construction-support, fleet, and field operations.

This position provides leadership and direction to the operations team and is accountable for delivering safe, reliable, efficient, and profitable services to customers. The Operations Manager oversees daily scheduling and dispatch, driver performance, fleet utilization, equipment availability, maintenance department oversight, safety and compliance, customer service, staffing, and operational financial performance.

The Operations Manager is expected to be a hands-on leader who can balance immediate operational demands with long-term improvements in productivity, cost control, employee development, customer relationships, and company growth.

Essential Responsibilities

Overall Operations Management

• Direct and oversee the company's daily trucking, transportation, and field operations.
• Direct customer outreach and business development efforts including estimating, client meetings, and partnership outreach.
• Establish priorities and allocate drivers, trucks, trailers, equipment, and personnel based on customer and company requirements.
• Ensure operational resources are properly scheduled and utilized.
• Develop and implement procedures that improve productivity, efficiency, safety, and service.
• Monitor operational performance and take corrective action when targets are not being achieved.
• Ensure adequate staffing and resources are available to support current and anticipated workload.
• Serve as the primary operational escalation point for significant field, customer, driver, equipment, and scheduling issues.

Dispatch & Scheduling

• Oversee the dispatch function and establish effective scheduling practices.
• Ensure trucks and drivers are dispatched efficiently and productively.
• Monitor daily and weekly workload, capacity, utilization, and staffing requirements.
• Coordinate transportation requirements for construction projects, material movements, hauling contracts, and other company operations.
• Balance customer requirements with available equipment, drivers, and operating capacity.
• Identify opportunities to improve route efficiency, reduce empty miles, and increase truck utilization.

Fleet & Equipment Management

• Oversight of shop department and direction on supporting operations.
• Oversee the operational utilization of trucks, trailers, and other transportation equipment.
• Partner with maintenance leadership to establish preventative maintenance priorities and minimize downtime.
• Monitor equipment reliability, repair costs, utilization, and replacement needs.
• Make recommendations regarding equipment purchases, sales, rentals, and deployment.
• Ensure equipment is properly assigned and utilized based on operational and financial requirements.
• Establish processes for tracking equipment downtime and identifying recurring maintenance issues.

Driver & Employee Management

• Lead, coach, and hold drivers and operations personnel accountable for performance.
• Establish clear performance expectations and operational standards.
• Participate in hiring, interviewing, onboarding, training, disciplinary actions, and employee development.
• Develop supervisors and managers within the operations department.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and establish performance improvement plans when necessary.
• Maintain appropriate staffing levels and identify future workforce requirements.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, safety, and professionalism.

Safety, DOT & Compliance

• Maintain overall operational responsibility for compliance with company safety policies and applicable DOT requirements.
• Ensure drivers and equipment meet applicable regulatory and company standards.
• Review accidents, incidents, safety violations, and claims and implement corrective actions.
• Work with safety personnel to identify operational risks and improve safety performance.
• Ensure required inspections, documentation, training, and certifications are maintained.
• Establish accountability for safe operating practices throughout the department.

Customer & Contract Management

• Maintain strong working relationships with key customers and operational contacts.
• Serve as an escalation point for significant customer service issues.
• Ensure operational commitments under contracts are consistently met.
• Participate in customer meetings, project planning, and contract reviews.
• Identify opportunities to improve service and expand operational capabilities.
• Work with management and sales/business development teams on new opportunities and operational requirements.

Financial & Performance Management

• Own the operational performance of the department, including productivity, utilization, labor, fuel, maintenance, overtime, and other controllable costs.
• Monitor revenue-generating activity and operational expenses.
• Review operational results against budget and prior-period performance.
• Identify the causes of unfavorable variances and develop corrective action plans.
• Develop strategies to improve margins and operating efficiency.
• Monitor key performance indicators and communicate results to senior management.
• Participate in annual budgeting, forecasting, and capital planning.

Key Performance Indicators

The Operations Manager will be accountable for monitoring and improving metrics such as:

• Truck utilization
• Revenue per truck/day
• Loads per truck/day
• Revenue per mile
• Driver productivity
• Overtime
• Fuel consumption
• Maintenance cost per mile
• Equipment downtime
• Preventable accidents/incidents
• Driver turnover
• Customer service performance
• On-time service
• Revenue and gross margin
• Operating expenses
• EBITDA contribution
• Contract performance

Leadership Responsibilities

The Operations Manager is expected to:

• Establish a clear vision and operating expectations for the department.
• Build a strong management and supervisory team.
• Develop the Assistant Operations Manager and other future leaders.
• Create accountability without sacrificing employee engagement.
• Communicate effectively across operations, maintenance, safety, finance, sales, and executive leadership.
• Make timely decisions based on operational and financial information.
• Anticipate operational challenges rather than simply reacting to them.
• Identify opportunities to improve the company's ability to scale.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive experience in trucking, transportation, construction, logistics, fleet management, or a related industry.
• 2+ years of management or supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing drivers, dispatch, fleet, and/or field operations.
• Strong understanding of commercial trucking operations and DOT compliance.
• Experience managing operating budgets and financial performance preferred.
• Strong understanding of fleet utilization, maintenance, labor, fuel, and transportation costs.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to analyze operational and financial data and translate it into action.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and dispatch/fleet/ERP systems.
• CDL experience preferred.

Working Conditions

This is a hands-on operational leadership position. The Operations Manager will regularly work in office, shop, yard, customer, and construction/job-site environments.

The position may require early mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and/or on-call availability based on customer contracts and operational requirements.

Success in This Role

Success will be demonstrated through:

• Safe and reliable operations.
• High utilization of trucks, drivers, and equipment.
• Consistent achievement of customer and contract requirements.
• Improved operational productivity and profitability.
• Effective cost management.
• Reduced preventable downtime and safety incidents.
• Strong driver and employee retention.
• Development of a capable operations leadership team.
• Accurate forecasting and operational planning.
• Consistent improvement in operational and financial results.

Pay: $80,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person