Director, Linehaul Operations

Position: Director, Linehaul Operations

Job Description:

The Director, Linehaul Operations is responsible for overseeing, managing, and optimizing linehaul operations across an assigned region. This role provides strategic and operational leadership to ensure service excellence, cost control, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement in linehaul execution. The Director will partner closely with regional linehaul peers, terminal operations, contractors, recruiting, and senior leadership to drive efficiency, maximize asset utilization, and deliver superior customer service. The Director will also mentor and develop high-performing team members across the region to ensure operational success.

Core Responsibilities & Duties:

• Oversee daily linehaul operations across the region, ensuring safe, timely, and cost-effective transportation.
• Monitor and manage fleet utilization, loaded miles, empty miles, and truckload miles to improve efficiency and profitability.
• Lead, support, and develop regional linehaul team members to achieve performance goals.
• Ensure operational compliance with all federal, state, and company safety regulations.
• Drive a culture of accountability, service reliability, and continuous improvement.
• Analyze and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) including on-time service, cost per mile, driver utilization, and network efficiency.
• Partner with sales, brokerage, and fleet integration to improve service delivery and resolve issues.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement, automation, and technology adoption to reduce cost and enhance visibility.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to align regional performance with company-wide strategic objectives.
• Mentor and develop high-performing team members within the region.
• Promote a culture of safety, teamwork, accountability, and professional growth.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and provide coaching for improvement.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• People-focused leader with strong ability to mentor, develop, and engage team members.
• Must take an analytical approach when evaluating and deriving business initiatives and problem identification
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Desire for a long-term career with an industry leading company
• Ability to present and maintain a positive corporate image in a fast-paced environment
• Expert knowledge of all DOT rules and regulations pertaining to the qualifications of drivers
• Proactively establish and maintain effective working team relationships with all support departments
• Must be proficient with Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.
• Experience with AS400 a plus

Skills:

• The ideal candidate will possess a “can do” attitude with a “will do” work ethic
• Demonstrate excellent negotiation skills to deal effectively with individuals and groups within and outside the organization
• Must have the ability to work in a fast paced/high volume environment

Forward Air is an Equal Opportunity employer.

Since 1990, Forward Air has been a leading provider of ground transportation and related logistics services to the North American air freight and expedited LTL market. We offer surface shipping on an accelerated “time-definite” basis, delivering cargo at a specific time, but under less time-sensitive situations – supplying you with a cost effective, reliable alternative to air transportation. We work with companies of all sizes to develop tangible advantages and build the best products to meet your specific needs. Forward Air presents to the wholesale transportation community (logistics companies, freight forwarders, integrated air cargo carriers, passenger/ cargo airlines, and non-traditional shippers), a single-source provider that can deliver more supply chain services and a superior menu of choices. Throughout the years we have added supplementary lines to our linehaul service, such as full truckload operations (Truckload Services), final-mile coverage (Complete® Cartage), and an Airline Logistics program, and we will continue to expand our services to meet the changing needs and growth of our customer base.

Forward Air is structured to optimize both savings and service to our customers. Direct partnerships with owner-operators and other surface transportation providers, enable us to remain cost-competitive. The Forward Air network is designed with over 90 facilities located at or near major U.S. and Canadian airports, 12 regional sort centers and over 300 beyond points (secondary airports provided through our Complete Cartage service), creating one of the most comprehensive linehaul networks in the industry.

Ranked 3rd in Newsweeks 2022 " Americas Most Trustworthy Companies " publication