Dock Supervisor

Dock Supervisor

The Dock Supervisor at an LTL (Less-Than-Truckload) trucking company is a pivotal leader, orchestrating the safe, efficient, and timely unloading, sorting, and staging of freight arriving at the terminal. This individual ensures that inbound freight is processed accurately, dock operations are optimized, and all team members uphold the highest standards of safety, quality, and productivity. Acting as both a tactical manager and a motivational leader, the supervisor bridges the gap between frontline dock workers, dispatch, linehaul, and terminal management.

Key Responsibilities

Supervise Dock Operations: Direct daily dock activities, including unloading trailers, inspecting shipments, verifying documentation, and coordinating freight flow to ensure goods are correctly staged for outbound movement or customer pickup.

Team Leadership & Training: Lead a team of dockworkers, forklift operators, and material handlers. Provide coaching, guidance, ongoing training, and performance feedback to maintain high morale and productivity. Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and teamwork.

Safety & Compliance: Enforce all company safety policies, DOT regulations, OSHA standards, and terminal protocols. Conduct regular safety briefings, equipment inspections, and incident investigations. Champion a proactive approach to hazard identification and risk mitigation.

Workflow Optimization: Analyze freight volume, labor resources, and dock layout to prioritize assignments and allocate personnel efficiently. Identify bottlenecks and implement process improvements to minimize delays and maximize throughput.

Documentation & Inventory Control: Oversee accurate completion of bills of lading, manifests, and delivery receipts. Verify shipment integrity and reconcile discrepancies in freight counts or condition as needed. Ensure proper scanning, labeling, and system entry for all inbound shipments.

Communication & Coordination: Liaise with dispatchers, drivers, linehaul, and customer service teams to facilitate seamless information flow regarding inbound schedules, damaged freight, or special handling requirements. Escalate issues to management as appropriate.

Equipment Management: Monitor operation and maintenance of dock equipment such as forklifts, pallet jacks, and conveyor systems. Schedule preventative maintenance and coordinate repairs to reduce downtime.

Performance Reporting: Track and report key performance indicators (KPIs) related to inbound volume, dock productivity, safety incidents, and service quality. Utilize data to drive operational decisions and continuous improvement initiatives.

Staff Scheduling: Prepare and manage work schedules for dock personnel, ensuring adequate coverage for all shifts while controlling overtime costs. Adjust schedules in response to freight fluctuations and staffing needs.

Customer Service: Represent the company professionally in all interactions with drivers, vendors, and customers who visit the dock. Address service issues promptly and courteously, ensuring customer satisfaction.

Requirements

Experience: Minimum 2-3 years in a supervisory or lead role within LTL, transportation, or warehouse operations; prior dock experience strongly preferred.

Leadership: Demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor, and motivate diverse teams in a fast-paced, physically demanding environment.

Technical Proficiency: Familiarity with warehouse management systems (WMS), freight scanning equipment, and Microsoft Office Suite; ability to learn new software tools quickly.

Organizational Skills: Strong planning, time management, and prioritization skills; able to balance multiple tasks and competing demands.

Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills; able to interact effectively with team members, management, drivers, and customers.

Problem-Solving: Decisive and resourceful, with the ability to troubleshoot issues, resolve conflicts, and adapt to changing priorities.

Attention to Detail: High degree of accuracy in freight handling, documentation, and incident reporting.

Physical Requirements: Ability to work on feet for extended periods, lift up to 50 lbs, operate forklifts and other dock equipment, and withstand varied temperatures and weather conditions.

Certifications: OSHA forklift certification (or willingness to obtain); first aid/CPR certification is a plus.