Operations Manager, Air & Ocean

Vancouver, BC

Job ID 10610

Company Description

Our client is a highly respected international logistics organization with a strong Canadian presence and a long history of helping businesses move goods with accuracy, care, and confidence.

Global Reach, Local Accountability
This is an organization with the scale, systems, and service depth to support complex supply chains across multiple modes of transportation. At the same time, its Canadian operations remain close enough to the customer to make practical decisions, solve problems quickly, and build long-term relationships.

Logistics With Standards
The company places a strong emphasis on quality, compliance, safety, and dependable service. Customers rely on them not simply to move freight, but to protect timelines, manage complexity, and keep business moving when transportation challenges arise.

A Place to Lead and Build
For the right logistics leader, this is an opportunity to join a stable, established organization where operational discipline, commercial thinking, and people leadership all matter. It is a role for someone who enjoys improving how a department performs, how a team works together, and how customers experience the business.

Compensation

• $90,000 – $100,000*
• Health benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage
• RRSP/DPSP program with company matching
• Paid time off, including vacation and sick days
• Ongoing professional development and growth opportunities
• Permanent, full-time stability with a respected logistics employer

* The stated compensation range reflects the full scope of the role as currently structured and is provided in accordance with pay transparency requirements. Offers are determined based on relevant experience, demonstrated skills, internal equity, and alignment with the role’s requirements. The upper end of the range is typically reserved for candidates who fully meet all requirements and qualifications outlined in this posting and the official job description.

The Opportunity

International freight depends on countless commitments being kept, often across several countries, service providers and modes of transportation. This position leads the people and operational systems that make those commitments possible.

The Operations Manager will oversee the daily performance of the branch, with particular responsibility for its air freight, ocean freight and CFS-related activities. The mandate extends well beyond shipment execution. This leader will be accountable for service quality, financial results, workforce planning, regulatory compliance, employee development and the continued growth of the operation.

It is an opportunity for an experienced freight forwarding professional to take meaningful ownership of a multifaceted operation. The successful candidate will bring structure to competing priorities, build confidence among employees and customers, and ensure that operational decisions support both immediate service requirements and longer-term business objectives.

Position Description

The Operations Manager will provide hands-on leadership across the branch and establish clear expectations for operational, financial and service performance.

• Direct the daily administration and performance of air freight, ocean freight, CFS, warehouse and related transportation activities
• Establish departmental goals, performance measures and completion timelines that support the company’s broader business objectives
• Monitor productivity, service quality, financial performance and other key operating indicators, taking corrective action when results fall below expectations
• Prepare monthly and quarterly operating reports, forecasts, staffing plans and performance summaries for senior management
• Manage departmental budgets while supporting revenue growth, profitability and responsible cost control
• Assess staffing levels, workloads and operational requirements to ensure the branch has the resources needed to serve its customers effectively
• Equip employees with the training, information, systems and practical support required to perform their work accurately and confidently
• Coordinate priorities across departments, resolve operational conflicts and encourage timely, respectful communication between teams
• Maintain a strong understanding of key customer accounts through regular conversations, meetings and participation in relevant industry activities
• Ensure client concerns and reasonable service requests are handled carefully, promptly and with appropriate follow-through
• Recruit, train, coach and supervise employees, including assigning work, reviewing performance, recognizing achievement and addressing conduct or performance concerns
• Build an environment where employees understand what is expected, receive useful feedback and have opportunities to contribute to improved results
• Maintain safe working practices throughout the operation and ensure reasonable precautions are taken to reduce workplace hazards and incidents
• Ensure branch activities conform to company policies and all applicable employment, workplace safety, human rights, quality, financial and regulatory requirements
• Review and authorize appropriate operational and financial documentation, including purchasing and payment-related requests
• Participate in business development and operational improvement initiatives that support the continued growth of the branch
• Assume additional management responsibilities as business needs arise

Experience

• At least 10 years of relevant experience within freight forwarding, logistics or a closely related transportation environment
• A minimum of 5 years in an operations management, supervisory or senior team leadership capacity
• Practical knowledge of international air and ocean freight operations
• Direct exposure to warehouse, CFS and transportation management activities
• Experience managing departmental budgets, operating forecasts, productivity measures and service targets
• A record of leading, developing and retaining operational employees
• Experience managing customer relationships and resolving service or operational concerns
• The ability to coordinate several departments whose priorities and deadlines may compete

Qualifications

• A university degree or college diploma in business, logistics, supply chain management or a related discipline
• An equivalent combination of relevant education and progressive industry experience will also be considered
• Working knowledge of WHMIS and applicable occupational health and safety requirements
• Comfortable using Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and Word
• Clear and confident written and verbal communication skills
• Strong judgment and the ability to make practical decisions when circumstances are changing quickly
• A constructive leadership style that combines accountability, coaching and open communication
• Demonstrated ability to delegate work, define expectations and monitor progress without losing sight of broader departmental objectives
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to separate urgent issues from important longer-term priorities
• The ability to develop action plans, adjust them when conditions change and maintain focus on business targets
• A calm and objective approach to difficult conversations, customer concerns and operational pressure
• Flexibility, sound business sense and a genuine interest in helping employees and departments perform at their best

Education

A university degree or college diploma in business, logistics, supply chain management or a related discipline.

Additional Information

Date Posted: July 13, 2026

Job Type: Permanent, Full-Time

Industries: Freight Forwarding

Job Categories: Logistics/Distribution/Warehousing

Manages Others: Yes

Required Travel: Minimal

Relocation Assistance: No

Learn More About the Recruiter

Syeda Saher, SHRM-CP

Syeda brings a wealth of recruiting experience to the forefront, skillfully navigating the intricacies of talent acquisition across diverse industries and functions. Her unwavering commitment to excellence infuses a personal touch into every engagement, while identifying talent that not only fits the role but also seamlessly integrates into the cultural fabric, becoming an integral part of the organization’s success story.

How to Apply

Please click on the “Apply” button located elsewhere on this job posting (preferred) or email your resume to:
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Existing Vacancy

This is a critical role within the organization and, following the recruitment and selection process, the selected candidate should expect to receive an offer promptly.

Use of Artificial Intelligence

We do NOT use artificial intelligence to screen, rank or select candidates. The merits of every single application will be judged by a human. AI may be used to craft correspondence or write a job posting but never in the decision making as to candidate suitability.

About Stoakley-Stewart Consultants

Stoakley-Stewart Consultants Ltd. is an Executive Search/Recruiting firm with an impressive domestic presence and strong international reach. We opened our doors in 1977 and have grown to be one of the most successful employment agencies in Canada. We house a team of top-notch consultants, each acting as a subject matter expert in their chosen field. As a result we provide professional recruiting services to clients and candidates in a variety of industries, functions and geographies. This expansive breadth of experience allows us, as a firm, to successfully satisfy all of your hiring/employment needs.  In accordance with Canadian laws, it is the policy of Stoakley-Stewart Consultants to consider all qualified individuals for available positions without regard to race, colour, religion, sexual orientation, country of origin, age, disability etc.
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