Transportation Manager

Job Title: Transportation Manager
Job Location: Des Plaines-USA-60016
Work Location Type: On-Site
Salary Range: $75,615.05 - 94,518.82

About us

Since 1942, SkyChefs has taken culinary excellence to new heights. As a trusted partner to the nation’s leading airlines and retailers, we proudly deliver millions of meals and exceptional service experiences every year across 43 sites throughout the United States. Built on a legacy of operational excellence, culinary expertise, and continuous innovation, we are committed to setting the industry standard in aviation culinary, airline services, last-mile logistics, and retail commerce. From the kitchen to the runway, our teams work together to deliver quality, reliability, and service at every altitude. Our people are the heart of everything we do. At SkyChefs, a career is more than a job – it’s an opportunity to grow, lead, and make an impact in a fast-paced, team-driven environment. Join America’s first, foremost, and finest and take your career to new heights.

Role Purpose Statement

Our operation is expanding fast—and we’re hiring a Transportation Manager to help lead the next chapter of our success. In this critical leadership role, you’ll take charge of a fast‑moving transportation team that keeps our airline partners running on time and supported with excellence. You’ll oversee daily operations, safety performance, routing, compliance, and employee development while partnering closely with our broader Operations Management Team to drive efficiency, reliability, and continuous improvement. If you’re energized by leading high‑impact teams, optimizing complex logistics, and delivering exceptional service in a time‑sensitive environment, this is your opportunity to make a meaningful difference and grow with a thriving organization. Reports to Director of Transportation.

Location: onsite at our operations center located near O'Hare International Airport

Schedule: We service the airline industry and operate 24/7. We are hiring for evening and overnight shifts.

Benefits: Comprehensive Benefits package, no waiting period. Starts Day 1.

Main Accountabilities

What You’ll Do

• Lead daily transportation operations supporting United Airlines on‑time performance
• Manages transportation department of transportation supervisors, drivers, and driver assistants
• Strategically plan, organize, and manage the ramp operation with regards to daily hours, schedules, productivity, quality and safety.
• Ensure compliance of all ramp safety standard operating procedures as defined by the company (i.e. “Circle as Safety”)
• Ensure on-time and accurate delivery utilizing best operational logistics model in the transportation of food and equipment to flights
• Manages Transportation routing, coordinating flight delivery assignments, and ensuring CSC departure times are being met
• Ensure compliance with customer specifications, quality standards, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), safety, health, environmental and other regulations
• Investigate customer quality issues, develop and implement corrective actions
• Maintain an ongoing, positive and pro-active relationship with all internal and external customers

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent experience
• 3–5 years of operations or transportation management experience
• Ability to lead, train, and motivate drivers, dispatchers, and support staff to achieve performance goals.
• Analytical, data‑driven decision maker
• Proven success in fast‑paced, time‑critical operations
• Skilled in managing budgets, analyzing cost variances, and implementing cost-saving measures.
• Understanding of FAA, DOT, FDA, USDA, OSHA, EPA, and HACCP guidelines.
• Proficient skills in Excel, Word, and logistics software for reporting and planning.
• Experience in using and managing Variable Production Systems and schedules
• Strong presentation, communication, training and interpersonal skills
• Proven success in improving work processes and leading change in a complex, fast environment

SkyChefs is an EEO and Affirmative Action Employer of Women/Minorities/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.