Operations Manager

Operations Manager

Are you a people person with experience leading a diverse team? Are your customer service and conflict resolution skills top notch? Can you establish and maintain a positive culture for your team? If so, then we may have what you are looking for!

DS Bus South Port Allen is seeking an Operations Manager to oversee our West Baton Rouge location.

You will be the bridge between our customers and our frontline heroes (our School Bus Drivers and Monitors). Your mission is to foster a culture of positive reinforcement while maintaining the highest standards of safety and efficiency in pupil transportation.

Primary Responsibilities

• Daily Dispatch Support: Supervise and lead the dispatch team to ensure all drivers and monitors are briefed on their daily routes, student rosters, and specific vehicle assignments.
• Performance Coaching: Work with and support the Safety and Training Manager's efforts to provide "on-the-road" feedback and office-based coaching to ensure staff remain compliant with district and state safety protocols.
• Training & Onboarding: Work with and support the Safety and Training Manager to lead training sessions for new technology (GPS, student tracking apps) and conduct safety "stand-up" meetings.
• Conflict Resolution: Act as a point of contact for driver concerns, ensuring open communication and mutual understanding.

Operational Oversight

• Route Optimization: Assist in building and adjusting efficient bus routes to minimize ride times and maximize fuel economy.
• Fleet Coordination: Work with the Shop Manager to oversee the scheduling of fleet maintenance to ensure zero service interruptions.
• Safety Compliance: Work with and support the Safety and Training Manager to maintain meticulous records for DOT and State Department of Education regulations, including driver certifications and safety drills.
• Administrative Precision: Review payroll for accuracy, manage monthly invoicing, and analyze labor data to improve efficiency.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Industry Experience: Minimum of 2 years in transportation (School District or Pupil Transportation experience is highly preferred).
• Leadership: 3+ year of supervisory experience, preferably managing a diverse frontline workforce.
• Education: High School Diploma or equivalent (Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Logistics or Education Admin is a plus).
• Licensing: Ability to obtain a CDL through our in-house training program.
• Communication: Proficiency in Hosting Zoom/Teams calls and conducting in-person staff briefings and largescale safety meetings.
• Rapport and relationship building: Able to build constructive and professional relationships with a diverse workforce and customer base.

Why Work for DS?

• Stability: Competitive salary with the security of an established and growing national company.
• Impact: Directly influence the safety and daily experience of students in our community.
• Growth: We invest in our leaders through professional development and "culture-first" management training.

DS Bus Lines is a family-oriented company that focuses on our core values of family, respect, service, and safety. We understand how important of a responsibility transporting children is and we take that role very seriously. We strive to create mutual respect and trust with school districts so that we can work together to provide the best possible service for students and parents.