Manager, Security Operations

Job Description

The Manager, Security Operations is a hands-on security leader with strong audit, compliance, and multi-site experience, responsible for leading and governing physical, transportation, and operational security programs across multiple operational sites. They serve as the primary security and compliance liaison between the organization and its client, ensuring contractual, regulatory, and operational security requirements are translated into scalable, executable standards. They focus on developing, standardizing, and continuously improving security programs related to warehousing, transportation, chain of custody, and high-value cargo protection. They partner closely with Operations, Transportation, clients, and third-party providers to ensure consistent execution and risk mitigation across their portfolio.


Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for all client-facing security matters and compliance initiatives.
• Translate client and contractual security requirements into operational policies, procedures, controls, and measurable standards.
• Lead recurring security reviews, including audit results, KPIs, corrective actions, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Drive standardization and consistency of security procedures and compliance practices across multiple sites.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve site-level and multi-site security programs and compliance protocols.
• Establish standardized procedures for facility security, transportation, chain of custody, access control, cargo handling, and incident response.
• Lead security risk assessments, vulnerability evaluations, and site assessments to identify and remediate gaps.
• Ensure security requirements are embedded into daily operational workflows, supported by documentation and training.
• Oversee transportation security and chain of custody controls across all movements of goods.
• Establish and monitor secure processes for high-value, sensitive, or regulated cargo.
• Partner with operations and transportation leadership to mitigate theft exposure and procedural vulnerabilities.
• Oversee facility security operations, including access control, surveillance, visitor management, and restricted areas.
• Develop and execute structured security audit and inspection programs, including multi-site audits.
• Track, report, and drive remediation of audit findings, compliance trends, incidents, and corrective actions.
• Support internal, external, client, and regulatory audits as required.
• Manage third-party security vendors and guard force operations, ensuring performance and compliance.
• Provide leadership, guidance, and accountability to site-level security personnel and operational stakeholders.
• Promote a culture of security awareness, operational discipline, and continuous improvement.
• Support incident response, investigations, business continuity, and crisis management efforts.
• All other duties as assigned to meet evolving business needs.

Qualifications

• Education: Undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice, Security Management, Business, Supply Chain, or a related field from an accredited college or university preferred; High School Diploma or GED equivalent required.
• Certification/Licensure: CPP, PSP, TAPA, or other professional security certifications preferred.
• Experience: 5+ years of experience in physical, operational, transportation, or supply chain security environments.
• Proven experience developing and implementing security policies, compliance programs, and audit frameworks.
• Experience supporting multi-site or distributed operational environments.
• Strong understanding of chain of custody controls, transportation security, and high-value cargo protection.
• Experience managing third-party security vendors and facility security operations.
• Ability to travel up to 50%.
• 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 regular domestic and possibly international travel for related site visits, meetings, and events.

About Us

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.