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Industrial Engineer - Contract Logistics

Forward Air

  • Dallas, TX
  • 1 day ago
  • Full-time

Highlights

The Industrial Engineer is responsible for analyzing, designing, optimizing, and implementing processes, workflows, facility layouts, and operating models that improve efficiency, productivity, quality, safety, and service performance across logistics and transportation operations. Experience: 5+ years of experience in industrial engineering, logistics engineering, supply chain optimization, transportation operations, freight forwarding, warehousing, distribution, terminal operations, or related operational environments.

Numbers & Facts

LocationDallas, TX
Job TypeFull-time
IndustryTransport and Storage - Materials
Company Size2,500 to 4,999 employees
Year Founded1981
Websitehttps://www.forwardair.com/content/careers-0

Description

The Industrial Engineer is responsible for analyzing, designing, optimizing, and implementing processes, workflows, facility layouts, and operating models that improve efficiency, productivity, quality, safety, and service performance across logistics and transportation operations. They work closely with operations leaders to identify improvement opportunities and develop scalable solutions that support business growth and operational excellence. They apply engineering principles, data analysis, and continuous improvement methodologies to enhance performance across warehousing, transportation, freight forwarding, terminal, and distribution environments. They serve as a technical subject matter expert, translating business needs into practical operational solutions that improve throughput, resource utilization, customer experience, and cost performance. 

 

Responsibilities

 

  • Analyze operational processes, workflows, facility layouts, and resource utilization to identify opportunities for productivity, service, quality, and cost improvements.
  • Design and optimize facility layouts, storage concepts, material flows, transportation processes, and operational workflows to maximize efficiency and capacity utilization.
  • Develop labor models, capacity plans, operational standards, and process recommendations that support business growth and changing customer requirements.
  • Conduct engineering analyses to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and performance improvement opportunities across logistics and transportation operations.
  • Lead or support continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean, Six Sigma, and other process improvement methodologies.
  • Partner with operations leadership to deliver measurable improvements in productivity, service levels, safety performance, quality, and cost management.
  • Evaluate, recommend, and support implementation of automation, technology, equipment, and systems solutions that enhance operational effectiveness.
  • Support network optimization, process standardization, and operational design initiatives across multiple sites, functions, or business units.
  • Develop and maintain operational metrics, performance dashboards, engineering models, and business analyses to support data-driven decision making.
  • Collaborate with operations, finance, IT, customer solutions, and engineering teams to design and implement effective operational solutions.
  • Support implementation of new processes, technologies, facilities, customer onboarding activities, and operational start-up initiatives.
  • Assist in developing standard operating procedures, process documentation, training materials, and operational best practices.
  • Serve as a technical liaison with vendors, consultants, equipment providers, and other external partners as required.
  • Participate in project planning, implementation, and change management activities to support successful execution of operational initiatives.
  • All other duties as assigned to meet evolving business needs.

 

Qualifications

 

  • Education: Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Logistics Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Operations Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field required.
  • Certification/Licensure: Professional certifications such as Lean Six Sigma Green Belt/Black Belt, APICS CSCP, CLTD, PMP, or similar credentials are preferred but not required.
  • Experience: 5+ years of experience in industrial engineering, logistics engineering, supply chain optimization, transportation operations, freight forwarding, warehousing, distribution, terminal operations, or related operational environments.
  • Demonstrated experience conducting process analysis, workflow design, facility optimization, labor modeling, or continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Strong analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate complex operational challenges into practical business solutions.
  • Experience utilizing data analysis, process mapping, operational modeling, and performance measurement tools to drive decision making.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint, along with engineering, visualization, modeling, or design tools such as AutoCAD, Visio, Power BI, SQL, or similar platforms.
  • Strong communication, presentation, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence teams across multiple functions and organizational levels.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities while working independently in a fast-paced operational environment.
  • Demonstrated discretion and confidentiality in handling and protecting sensitive information.
  • Technical: Proficient with common office technologies, including Windows PCs, Microsoft O365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and web conferencing (Teams, Zoom, Webex, etc.)
  • Environment: Comfort commuting to/from and working in a 100% on-site setting (listed in this posting), with travel for related meetings/events.

 

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About Company

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.

The foundation product for Forward Air is our expedited linehaul service, offering consistent and reliable transit and on-time, damage-free deliveries. By locating terminals on or near airports and maintaining a scheduled transportation network, we are able to arrange for convenient and consistent service with broad geographic coverage. Shipments of varying sizes (TL/LTL) are received at our terminals and transported by contracted service providers either (1) on a direct truck to the destination terminal, (2) through our Columbus, Ohio central sorting hub, or (3) through one of our 12 regional hubs, where they are unloaded, sorted, and reloaded in rapid fashion. After reloading the shipments, our contracted service providers deliver them to the destination city for early morning recovery. Through our Forward Air Complete® cartage service, customers also can have shipments picked up from the shipper, delivered to the final consignee, or transferred at the airport, simplifying the freight management processes. These options allow us to maximize handling efficiency of each shipment while minimizing freight loss and damage, improving transit times over traditional ground transportation.

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