Operations Manager- Trucking & Fleet Management
TrannpoWhy Join Us?
We are a fast-growing logistics start-up specializing in high margin, temperature controlled freight. Our team is providing the opportunity and platform for rapid growth/promotion.
Overview
We are seeking an experienced , high-performing Trucking & Logistics Operations and Fleet Manager to oversee and scale our daily transportation and fleet operations. This role demands deep exper
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tise in temperature controlled freight (reefer) management, carrier/broker compliance, and cold chain logistics.
As our Operations Manager, you will be the core leader on the ground in Tennessee. You will be responsible for maximizing freight efficiency, managing risk, securing loads, maintaining strict temperature sensitive compliance, and leading remote team of administrative and evening support to ensure seamless 24/7 service.
Key Responsibilities:
• Driver Recruitment & Retention: Actively source, screen, interview, and recruit high-quality commercial drivers. Develop incentive-driven retention strategies to minimize turnover and build a reliable, professional fleet culture.
• Onboarding & Contractor Systems: Oversee the complete driver onboarding pipeline, ensuring accurate driver qualification files (DQFs), drug and alcohol clearinghouse checks, background screenings, and lease/independent contractor agreements are executed flawlessly.
• Driver & Dispatch Management: Serve as the primary point of contact for our drivers. Manage schedules, resolve on-the-road issues, monitor driver logs/HOS (Hours of Service), and foster positive driver relations to ensure high performance and safety.
• Reefer & Cold Chain Oversight: Manage strict temperature-controlled freight protocols. Ensure drivers, carriers, and equipment strictly adhere to specified set points, continuous run/cycle-sentry modes, and pre-cooling procedures to prevent cargo loss.
• Daily Freight & Route Optimization: Source, negotiate, and lock in high-paying reefer contracts and spot market freight. Optimize routing to minimize empty miles and maximize fleet utilization.
• Compliance & Risk Management: Monitor DOT/MC authority compliance, safety scores, and broker risk screening. Oversee quick-response procedures for transit delays, equipment breakdowns, or temperature alarms.
• Team Leadership: Direct and manage our remote/virtual team, including our daytime Administrative Assistant and Evening On-Call Dispatch, ensuring clear handoffs and 100% data accuracy in our management software.
Required Qualifications & Skills
Industry Experience: 3+ years of hands-on experience in logistics coordination, fleet operations, or freight dispatching, with a heavy emphasis on reefer / temperature-controlled transport.
Driver & Fleet Recruiting: Proven experience building a recruiting pipeline, vetting driver credentials, managing driver qualification files, and handling compliance for asset-based operations or independent contractor networks.
Cold Chain Knowledge: Deep understanding of FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act) regulations, reefer equipment mechanics (Thermo King/Carrier), and temperature download/pulping procedures.
Software Savvy: Proficiency using modern Transportation Management Systems (TMS), driver recruiting/tracking platforms, load boards (DAT, Truckstop), and digital communication tools.
Geography & Regulations: Strong working knowledge of FMCSA regulations, Hours of Service (HOS) rules, major US freight corridors, and California labor/DOT compliance.
Problem-Solving & Leadership: Exceptional leadership ability, strong conflict-resolution skills when dealing with driver escalations, and the capacity to think critically under pressure.
Skills
• Strong knowledge of supply chain management principles including inventory management, procurement, logistics, and warehouse operations
• Proven experience in transportation planning, freight management, shipping & receiving, and dispatching
• Proficiency in budgeting, cost control, profit & loss analysis to maximize operatio