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Position: Vice President, Intermodal Operations

Job Description:

The Vice President, Intermodal Operations is responsible for leading and optimizing regional terminal operations across the intermodal network. This executive will oversee all field operations, including driver management, terminal efficiency, service delivery, safety, and compliance. The VP will play a pivotal role in executing strategic initiatives, ensuring operational excellence, and driving profitability across the drayage business segment.

Core Responsibilities & Duties:

+ Provide strategic and operational leadership for multiple intermodal terminal locations across designated regions

+ Drive performance against key operational KPIs including on-time performance, cost per move, driver utilization, and safety

+ Lead terminal managers and field teams to deliver high-quality service in alignment with customer expectations and company standard

+ Optimize drayage capacity through effective planning, dispatch, and asset management

+ Partner with safety, compliance, and HR teams to ensure DOT and FMCSA regulations are adhered to across all operations

+ Champion continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and reduce cost per mile

+ Develop and implement scalable SOPs and best practices for terminal operations

+ Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Customer Service, IT, and Finance to support growth and operational alignment

+ Monitor market trends and competitive dynamics in intermodal transportation to inform strategy

+ Lead workforce planning and talent development to build a high-performing field operations team

+ Ensure driver engagement and retention through structured support, performance management, and incentive alignment

+ Participate in budget planning and cost control activities for the intermodal P&L

+ Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

+ 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in transportation, logistics, or intermodal operations

+ Strong understanding of drayage and intermodal terminal operations, including port/rail ramp interaction

+ Proven experience leading multi-site field teams and delivering operational results

+ Deep knowledge of DOT/FMCSA compliance, safety standards, and driver workforce management

+ Exceptional leadership, communication, and organizational skills

+ Experience with TMS systems, data-driven performance management, and process optimization

+ Highly organized, paying attention to detail

+ Strong work ethic, high integrity

+ Excellent communication skills

+ Knowledge of reporting tools & other MIS tools

+ Experience with Microsoft Office, especially Excel

Skills:

+ The ideal candidate will possess a “can do” attitude with a “will do” work ethic

+ Interpersonal skills necessary to build effective working relationships with employees at all levels of the organization

+ Strong organization, prioritization, project management and consulting skill set

+ General computer skills - Microsoft Office, Outlook, AS400

+ Excellent communication and problem-solving skills

Forward Air is an Equal Opportunity employer.

About Us

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 (https://www.newsweek.com/americas-most-trustworthy-companies-2022/transport-logistics-packaging) " publication

About the Team