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As the Transportation & Dock Startup Manager, you will lead all dock, yard, and transportation operational activities during the launch and early ramp-up phases of new automated warehouse sites. You will ensure operational readiness, stabilize dock and yard performance during the first 8 weeks of go-live, and transition the building to steady-state leadership once processes, performance, and staffing are fully certified.
Job Responsibility:
Lead all preparations for dock, yard, and transportation execution, including trailer flow design, staging plans, pre-receiving workflows, shipping lanes, returns processes, and carrier readiness
Coordinate with Engineering and Start-Up teams on SAT (Site Acceptance Testing) for dock equipment, yard systems, yard tractors, sensors, and automation supporting dock-level operations
Ensure all dock-related 5S work, signage, safety barriers, trailer restraints, and traffic plans are completed before go-live
Onboard and validate all transportation and dock vendors, including carriers, yard management services, and MHE providers
Serve as the on-site leader for dock, yard, and transportation execution, directing daily operations during ramp-up
Manage and deploy ~100 hourly associates (dock workers, yard spotters, clerks, and transportation support roles)
Oversee inbound and outbound trailer movement, live vs. drop prioritization, pre-receiving planning, dispatch readiness, returns handling, and value-added services
Validate WMS/WES transaction accuracy for trailer check-in/out, load closures, yard map movements, and dock-door assignments
Monitor dock cycle times, unload/load pacing, transportation service levels, and carrier compliance
Troubleshoot operational and system issues in real time to stabilize performance
Drive key execution metrics including trailer turn-time, on-time shipping, dock-to-stock times, yard accuracy, shrink, and cost per unit
Partner with automation and technology teams to integrate robotics/AI tools into dock workflows and to ensure systems remain operational during launch
Identify waste and inefficiencies, implementing Lean practices, standard work, and corrective action plans to improve throughput
Conduct structured root-cause analyses on delays, bottlenecks, carrier issues, or yard misalignments
Develop, coach, and mentor supervisors and leads who oversee dock and yard associates
Ensure all personnel achieve certification in standard work, MHE, safety, and dock processes
Foster a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, and high performance at the launch site
Coordinate closely with maintenance, robotics engineering, IT, safety, HR, customer service, and supply chain teams to ensure all transportation and dock operations support broader building needs
Partner with carriers and transportation providers to resolve issues and align on service expectations
Maintain dock and transportation budget discipline across labor, equipment, consumables, and yard operations
Ensure full compliance with OSHA, DOT, environmental regulations, and company safety policies
Prepare and present transportation and dock performance reports, KPI dashboards, and launch-readiness updates to senior leadership
Requirements:
High school diploma required
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, or equivalent experience preferred
Minimum 5 years of experience in dock, yard, or transportation operations within a warehouse or distribution center environment
Experience managing inbound and outbound dock activities, trailer flow, yard operations, or carrier coordination
Exposure to transportation systems, yard management systems (YMS), WMS, or dock-level automation preferred
Experience leading large hourly teams across multiple shifts in fast-paced environments
Strong understanding of dock safety, yard traffic flow, and transportation compliance requirements
Ability to manage labor, productivity, service levels, and safety performance
Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to react quickly to delays, disruptions, or system issues
Basic computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office and operational reporting tools
Comfortable working in physically demanding environments, including prolonged standing, climbing stairs, and lifting up to 50 lbs
Strong communication, teamwork, and cross-functional collaboration skills
Flexibility to travel extensively and work non-standard schedules during site launches