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Operations Specialist

Forward Air

Groveport, OH

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JOB DETAILS
SKILLS
Air Cargo, Analysis Skills, Aviation Industry, Best Practices, Brokerage, Business Operations, Cargo/Freight, Communication Skills, Conflict Resolution, Cost Analysis, Cross-Functional, Customer Support/Service, Data Analysis, Data Entry, Data Quality, Detail Oriented, Freight Forwarding, Green Transportation, Leadership, Less Than Truckload (LTL), Load Planning, Logistics, Management Strategy, Mentoring, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, Negotiation Skills, Network Design, Operational Audit, Operational Improvement, Operations, Operations Management, Operations Planning, Organizational Skills, Performance Analysis, Performance Metrics, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Problem Solving Skills, Profit & Loss Management, Publications, Reporting Skills, Supply Chain, Supply Chain Management, Team Player, Time Management, Time Tracking, Transportation and Logistics, Truck Driver, Wholesale Industry, Writing Skills
LOCATION
Groveport, OH
POSTED
2 days ago

Position:Operations Specialist 

Schedule: Mon-Fri 8am - 5pm

The Operations Specialist is responsible for managing daily transportation operations within Forward’s Truckload Brokerage. This role focuses on rate negotiation, load optimization, and carrier coordination while developing operational reporting and analytical capabilities. The Operations Specialist serves as a key contact for assigned accounts and plays a vital role in ensuring service excellence and operational efficiency.

Core Responsibilities & Duties:

  • Independently manage assigned customer accounts, coordinating pick-up and delivery schedules and resolving time-sensitive service issues
  • Negotiate competitive rates with carriers to maximize profitability while maintaining high service standards
  • Optimize load assignments and routing for cost-effective and timely delivery execution
  • Ensure accurate and complete data entry in the McLeod Transportation Management System (TMS) for all assigned loads
  • Monitor weekly service performance and identify opportunities to improve carrier management and rate strategy
  • Assist in training and mentoring Operations Coordinators in core operational practices, including load planning and carrier communication
  • Utilize the TMS for real-time shipment tracking, data validation, and performance analysis
  • Prepare and present reports on service metrics, carrier performance, and cost analysis to operations leadership
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to address load execution issues and improve workflow efficiency
  • Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Business, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or a related field preferred
  • 1–2 years of experience in logistics, transportation operations, or customer service
  • Proficiency in rate negotiation and load planning best practices
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail
  • Ability to work independently and make confident, effective decisions in a fast-paced environment
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Proficiency in TMS platforms (e.g., McLeod) and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook)

Skills:

  • Solid understanding of transportation operations and carrier management
  • Strong organizational and time management skills
  • Ability to analyze performance data and apply insights to improve operations
  • Effective negotiation and conflict resolution abilities
  • Team-oriented with a collaborative mindset
  • Ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities and operational needs

Forward Air is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

#L1-TW1

#L1-ONSITE

Forward Air is a leading asset-light provider of transportation services across the United States, Canada, and Latin America. We provide expedited less-than-truckload services, including local pick-up and delivery, shipment consolidation/deconsolidation, warehousing, and customs brokerage by utilizing a comprehensive national network of terminals. In addition, we offer truckload brokerage services, including dedicated fleet services, and intermodal, first and last-mile, high-value drayage services, both to and from seaports and railheads, dedicated contract and Container Freight Station warehouse and handling services. Forward also operates a full portfolio of multimodal solutions, both domestically and internationally, via Omni Logistics. Omni Logistics is a global provider of air, ocean, and ground services for mission-critical freight. We are more than a transportation company. Forward is a single resource for your shipping needs

We move freight, but we’re powered by people. Whether you’re in the warehouse, on the road, or behind the screen, every teammate keeps our global business in motion and brings logistics to life.  

About the Company

F

Forward Air

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.

COMPANY SIZE
2,500 to 4,999 employees
INDUSTRY
Transport and Storage - Materials
FOUNDED
1981
WEBSITE
https://www.forwardair.com/content/careers-0