Transportation Supervisor - Airline Catering

Job Title: Transportation Supervisor - Airline Catering 
Job Location: Philadelphia-USA-19153 
Work Location Type: On-Site 
Salary Range: $60,000.00 - 72,000.00

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

We’re seeking an outgoing, hands-on leader who thrives in a fast‑paced, airside production environment and enjoys managing transportation teams responsible for the safe, on‑time delivery of catering to aircraft. This leader will oversee dispatch, drivers, and fleet readiness; ensure accurate, secure loading; and partner closely with Production and Airline Operations to meet flight schedules. The role actively engages employees in all  safety, compliance, and performance initiatives , including DOT/FMCSA, airport security (SIDA/TSA), and food safety (HACCP/GMP). 

Main Accountabilities

Supervisor Responsibility (Transportation Operations)

• Organize and staff the department to meet flight service and delivery timelines across all shifts.
• Lead daily shift briefings (dispatch plan, safety topics, gate changes, IROPs) and ensure clear handoffs.
• Dispatch and route planning: align vehicle assignments to flight schedules; respond to real‑time changes (gate/stand swaps, delays, diversions).
• Fleet readiness: ensure high-lift catering trucks, reefers, tractors, and support vehicles pass pre-/post-trip inspections (DVIR/eDVIR); coordinate preventive maintenance with Maintenance.
• Load accuracy & security: verify cart counts, galley configurations, seal integrity, and chain‑of‑custody; maintain temperature control logs and cold‑chain integrity.
• Airside operations: ensure safe positioning, marshalling, chocking, jetbridge clearance, and compliance with airport AOA driving rules.
• On‑time service: monitor flight service milestones and corrective actions to achieve OTD/OTP targets.
• Schedule and control staffing to meet labor productivity and overtime targets.
• Ensure compliance with all government regulatory standards, including:
  • DOT/FMCSA (driver qualification files, hours of service, drug/alcohol testing)
  • OSHA (PPE, ergonomics, incident reporting)
  • FDA/USDA, HACCP, GMP (food safety)
  • EPA (waste management; spill response)
  • Airport/TSA security (SIDA badges, secured area procedures, seal integrity)
• Document and improve transportation processes and SOPs; close gaps found in audits or incident reviews.
• Monitor and ensure safety compliance at all times; lead root‑cause analysis and corrective actions for accidents/incidents.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support flight service, customer needs, and operational continuity.

Leadership

• Guide, motivate, and develop drivers, dispatchers, and transportation coordinators within HR policies; deliver coaching and progressive discipline as needed.
• Make the company’s values and management principles live in the department through consistent communication, recognition, and accountability.
• Manage productivity hours and costs; initiate corrective actions for deviations (e.g., overtime, idle time, out‑of‑route).
• Participate in and support company initiatives such as Quality, HACCP, Lean/5S, Employee Safety, and Production Systems; sponsor Kaizen activities that remove waste and improve reliability

Cross‑Functional Coordination

• Partner with Production, Warehouse, Flight Assembly, QA, Maintenance, Airline OCC/Ramp/Gate teams, and Customer Service to resolve exceptions and maintain service levels during IROPs or short-notice changes.
• Ensure accurate and timely documentation (dispatch logs, DVIRs, temp logs, security seals, incident reports).

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• • 1–3 years of related experience required (transportation/logistics, food service distribution, or airline catering preferred).
  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent knowledge preferred.
  • Problem‑solving and leadership skills with the ability to lead through change and time pressure.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills; able to influence across airside, production, and airline partners.
  • Ability to develop and lead others to achieve desired results and productivity goals.
  • Working knowledge of OSHA, GMP, FDA, USDA, EPA and HACCP regulations; practical experience with DOT/FMCSA compliance (HOS, DVIR, driver files).
  • Familiarity with airport security and SIDA/TSA procedures for secured/sterile areas.
  • Excellent verbal, written, and organizational skills; able to multi‑task and prioritize in a dynamic environment.
  • Good knowledge of Microsoft Office and Windows-based applications; experience with dispatch/TMS systems, handhelds/scanners, and digital logs preferred.

  Preferred Qualifications (Nice to Have)

  • Airfield driving permit; experience supervising high‑lift catering trucks and ramp operations.
  • CDL‑B (airbrake) or prior CDL supervisory experience is a plus.
  • Experience in unionized environments, scheduling, and attendance management.
  • Bilingual (e.g., Spanish/English) beneficial for workforce communication.

  Work Environment & Physical Requirements

  • Ability to stand/walk for extended periods; lift/push/pull up to 50 lbs.
  • Comfortable working outdoors/on the ramp, in cold rooms, and around aircraft operations and moving equipment.
  • Shift work required, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays; occasional extended hours during IROPs.
  • Must meet airport badging and background requirements.

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